Charlotte in the Ryman Healthcare Groove

Ryman Healthcare Nellie Melba activities coordinator Charlotte Rowe has a simple but important way of telling if she is doing a good job.

“As long as I’ve put smiles on people’s faces each day then I think I’ve done my job,” she says.

The vivacious independent apartment activities and lifestyle coordinator started her role in February and has wasted no time in bringing what she calls her “woohoo” approach to the village.

“For the eight hours I work a day I love being high energy,” she says.

“I’m used to having a woohoo attitude, I’m always keen to get in there and do what I can.

“I just like brightening everyone’s day.

“To make people’s time, whatever way they want to spend it, as happy as it can be is the best feeling.”

As well as her bubbly personality, she also brings more than 10 years’ experience in the aged care sector to the role.

Charlotte is responsible for organising and assisting with events, including Happy Hour and Fine Dining evenings, however because of COVID-19 she is yet to organise events in the village centre.

“Around the time I started is when social distancing became important, so I’ve led the Triple A exercise classes outside and we have been holding weekly balcony ballads which the residents have loved,” she says.

Charlotte is no stranger to moving in front of a crowd, having danced at Michelle Rae School of Dance, just down the road from the village, for the past 23 years.

“I actually used to live two houses away from the village on Brandon Park Drive for 20 years, so I saw the village being built and I know the area really well.”

As well as helping residents keep busy and active, Charlotte has also made quite the impact on village residents of the four-legged kind.

“I love all the village dogs.

“Every Happy Hour when we drop off the drinks and nibbles, I have my bag of treats for the dogs.

“I taught a 15-year-old dog that had never sat on command before how to sit and drop in 2 weeks.”

There are also plans to teach residents interested in dance new moves.

“I am hoping to hold indoor dance classes where I will teach a routine,” she says.

“I’ve had so many years dancing I’ve got a big bag of costumes to bring in for residents who want to dress up.”

Once COVID-19 restrictions are further eased there are also plans for a Great Gatsby themed Fine Dining and weekly afternoon trivia.

The village is a great place to work, she says.

“The residents are lovely and very thankful and appreciative, which makes everyone feel good about what they are doing.

“All of the management are amazing, which makes you want to put in that extra effort and go that extra mile because you are so appreciated.”

And sometimes leaving the village is the hardest part of the day, she says.

“The facilities are beautiful, gosh if I could live there, I think I would move in right now.”

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