GEMLIFE PACIFIC PARADISE’S PIONEERING HOC CHAIRMAN SHARES SAGE ADVICE FOR FUTURE COMMITTEES.
There’s something special about being amongst the first, a pioneer overcoming challenges with the opportunity to set the foundation for a vibrant, happy community. Fred Watkins and his wife Lynette were the second couple to move into GemLife Pacific Paradise, but he was the first to put up his hand to form the original Home Owners Committee.
As chairman, Fred was able to draw on his experience at another over-50s resort.
“Very early on in that place, social committees had formed and would fundraise, so they’d have money in the bank and nothing for the Home Owners Committee itself, yet it was the HOC which had responsibility for compliance, insurances, and the liquor licence,” said Fred. “So, very early on, we decided that all funds raised would be administered by the HOC for the benefit of the community as a whole.”
Fred’s advice to other pioneering HOCs is to encourage new members onto the committee and foster the next generation of committee members.
“We’ve had some people who are very experienced, and others who have never been on a committee before but who have great ideas and lots of enthusiasm,” he said. “It means I can sit back and enjoy the community here.”
Fred is full of praise for sales manager Victoria Dent who responded to every request ‘like a fairy godmother’.
“I asked about the possibility of having a fundraising barbecue for the HOC and, within days, a barbecue with all of the food was delivered right to the door,” he said. “Another time I asked about doing something special for Christmas, and before I knew it, I got a call from event manager Lisa to say a coach would pick us up at the gate, and we had a great time at a local restaurant.”
Some might consider the number 13 to be unlucky, but not Fred. He identifies two very happy occasions which happened on the 13th.
“We moved into GemLife Pacific Paradise on the 13th of July, and this month (March) on the 13th, Lynette and I will have been married 58 years. Thirteen is definitely our lucky number!”