COOINDA Retirement Village, located in Ross Street, has held their annual Christmas luncheon for residents and friends and announced the results of their recent annual general meeting. 

At their recent annual general meeting, Cooinda’s board for the upcoming year was declared as Don Le Cudennec, Mike Penberthy, Gloria Kirk, Val Harris, Fiona Adams and Christy Galbraith.

In his address, chairman Don Le Cudennec said Cooinda is built upon the involvement of many voluntary people who make Cooinda the wonderful place it is and somewhere residents are proud to call home.

Established in 1970 as the Inverell Churches Retirement Community, Cooinda has a fifty-four year history of providing affordable accommodation for residents in the senior years and is led by a volunteer board of directors, who are all residents of Inverell.

Cooinda has 38 units designed for independent living and Mr Le Cudennec says the popularity of Cooinda means there is always a waiting list of applicants looking to move in.

Long term resident, Bob Bensley says this year is his eleventh year at Cooinda. Prior to becoming a resident, Bob served as a board member for 6 years. Bob says the maintenance and gardening team, facility manager Tracy Palmer, and the board play a vital role in helping residents feel welcome and valued.

He noted that 2024 has seen a profusion of new residents coming in and a big changeover of residents at Cooinda.

“Those who have discovered Cooinda can’t believe what a wonderful place it is; and I can’t believe the positive attitude coming out of Cooinda”.

Highlights for the 2024 include a luncheon to celebrate Seniors Week in March, the monthly Meals on Wheels lunches, the Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser and a Christmas visit from the Danthonia Bruderhof community.