Tarragal Manor celebrates 20 years!

The Manor, which forms part of Tarragal Glen Retirement Village, was first established in 1995 to cater for seniors who needed extra household assistance but could still live independently.
The grand, hotel-style building now houses 79 serviced apartments and a range of excellent community facilities, and residents receive help with meals, laundry and cleaning and 24-hour support from trained staff.
Kay Quirk, a personal care assistant and receptionist, has been working at Tarragal Manor since it first opened and says, “I remember my first day perfectly.
“I started one week before the Manor opened and still remember the rush to get the carpet down in the dining room before our very first couple arrived!”
The refined, generous dining room, which is an epicentre of activity where residents gather for regular events and daily lunches and dinners, was the perfect venue for the birthday celebration.
Residents and staff alike gathered to socialise and reminisce about the developments of the past two decades.
Vern Tucker, a Tarragal Manor resident since 2012, says, “The village has grown enormously!
“My wife and I moved here in 1998, so we were here for about 14 years before moving into a serviced apartment at the Manor.”
Like Vern, many of the Manor’s current residents moved into a serviced apartment from an independent living villa at Tarragal Glen and there’s little wonder why.
“It meets all my needs!” Vern says.
“I’m not as active as I used to be, so I can’t do heavy household chores – well, I could, but it’d take me all day and I’d have no energy at the end.
“Having your laundry and cleaning taken care of is a huge help.”
Residents also enjoy restaurant-quality lunches and dinners prepared each day by Tarragal Manor’s talented on-site chef, Todd Clarke, who also catered for the birthday celebration with a delicious feast.
An enormous chocolate cake capped the meal off perfectly and gave guests the energy to get out on the dance floor.
“Kay was the leader of the dancing,” says Vern. “She got quite a few people up on their feet!”
“It was a wonderful party,” Kay agrees.
“The 20th birthday was the perfect opportunity for residents and staff to get together and celebrate what’s so great about life at Tarragal Manor!”