President - Helen Betros (president@rrvv.org.au)
I moved to Classic Residences in 2010. I was secretary of the Classic Residents’ Committee in 2020/2021 and Chair in 2022/2023 and part of 2023/2024. I hold both legal and teaching qualifications. Prior to retiring in 2018, I worked in education, human resources, industrial relations, alternative dispute resolution and law.
I have been involved with the Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria since 2022. I was elected to the role of Vice-President in 2023 and became President in 2024. As President, I will work to ensure that the interests and concerns of retirement village residents are heard, understood and represented.
Vice President - Milton Cations (vicepresident@rrvv.org.au)
I have been a resident at Rylands of Kew since July 2020. I joined the Owners Corporation in February 2021, and I was then appointed the Chairman of the OC Committee, and I remained in that role until June 2023.
My professional career is as a property valuer specializing in commercial and residential properties.
Treasurer - David Brady (treasurer@rrvv.org.au)
My wife and I emigrated to Australia twelve years ago and we have been resident in Classic Residences for the past three years.
I am proficient in all aspects of accounting, with 60 years’ experience from Financial Officer to running my own accounting practice both here and in South Africa. I have been treasurer for the Beaumaris Baptist Church as well as two Melbourne tennis clubs. I have also served on both the finance sub-committee and the entertainment committee at Classic Residences.
Secretary - Pauline Niels
I am a retired nurse who has worked in aged care for over twenty years. I managed an aged care facility for ten years and for fourteen years served a non-Government organisation in various roles.
I am currently the RRVV RLO for Saffron Grove Village.
I joined the RRVV Committee in 2021. In 2025 I look forward to taking on the role of Secretary to continue and strengthen my contribution to RRVV and residents of retirement villages.
Committee Member - Heather Blackie
I have been a resident of Mernda Retirement Village since 2017 and have served on the Residents’ Committee for the past five years -three as Secretary and the last two as Chairperson.
These roles have given me valuable insight into how a committee supports residents and works with management.
Before retiring, I was an executive in the Australian Public Service, leading health and wellbeing programs for staff and contributing to business planning and ministerial-level reporting
Since 2015 I have volunteered with the Office of the Public Advocate as an Independent Third Person.
Committee Member - Nigel Caswell O.A.M.
I have a degree in engineering and a graduate diploma in civil ceremony. During my career I started as a civil engineer and ended as a general manager in Parks Victoria. I was awarded an O.A.M. in 2013 for services to Civil Celebrancy and People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I have MS and am currently President of People with MS in Victoria.
I have been a resident at Classic Residences retirement village for 12 years including 5 on the residents’ committee and 3 as chairman, and I am currently RRVV Resident Liaison Officer and a member of the village Entertainment Committee responsible for speakers.
Committee Member - Bob Seiffert O.A.M.
Until October 2021, I served for more than 12 years as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Beveridge Williams Co Pty Ltd, a civil engineering/surveying company with a turnover in excess of $60m. I had also served as Chairman of the South East Melbourne African Ministry Regional Committee, Treasurer of Dial before You Dig Vic/Tas and Past President of the Victorian Civil Construction Industry Alliance. I was the inaugural Secretary of the Committee for Greater Frankston.
In late 2019, I completed a 15-year term as the Minister’s Consumer Representative on Victoria’s Building Regulations Advisory Committee. Prior to my retirement in 2010, I was the CEO for the Civil Contractors Federation, CFA, and Manningham, Knox and Sherbrooke Councils.
Committee Member - Lynn Slade
My work history of 55 years has been mainly in my own business as a Risk Management Consultant. I have worked with a variety of companies from manufacturing, financial, association management, scientific and environmental industries in both small to medium sized businesses.
Prior to opening my own business in 1985, I worked in insurance, accountancy, real estate and the fashion industry across 3 different countries. I am now an artist and use my work skills to improve outcomes and create a fairer playing field for older Australians in retirement village settings
Office Manager: Karin Veiser office@rrvv.org.au
Karin joined RRVV in June 2021 and has previously worked in administration and human resources across a range of industries, from consulting to banking to a creative design studio.
She loves hearing from our members and learning about the many experiences of living in retirement villages. As well as doing all she can to support members, she is kept busy supporting the RRVV committee and managing the office.
In her spare time, Karin loves spending time with her family and friends, and enjoying good food, music and a lot of books.