8 October 2025

To the Members and Residents of Retirees WA Inc

I wish to inform you that Candessa Ashbury who has been serving as Acting President, since April this year and who got nominated as President at the elections in September has resigned effective 29 September 2025. Candessa has been a member of the Board since September 2015 and then took on the role of Vice President in September 2019. We sincerely thank Candessa for her dedication, leadership, and contribution during her time in office.

Following Candessa’s resignation, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Danuta Newman as the new President of Retirees WA, and the appointment of Anton Eaton as the Vice President of Retirees WA effective immediately. They bring with them a strong commitment to the goals and values of our organization

Please join us in expressing our appreciation to Candessa Ashbury and in welcoming Danuta Newman and Anton Eaton to the role. We look forward to their leadership and to continuing our work together for the benefit of all members and residents.

Regards

Henrietta de Sa BA Hons MA

Chief Executive Officer

30 May 2025

To the Members of Retirees WA

On behalf of the Members of the Board (Including the Independent Members) and myself, I would like to thank the Members of Retirees WA for approving the motions put forward to them at our Special General Meeting on 29 May 2025.

The membership has enhanced our efforts to better mould a management structure which meets modern business and regulatory standards. Thank you to all who attended the Special General Meeting.

The Board which we sought for you to allow us to remunerate are responsible for a great deal: At 30 June 2024, our audited accounts show us the extent and size of the organisation which this board is responsible for:

1. $7.7 million in cash, $3.5 million in receivables, $132 million in properties and plant representing two aged care facilities totalling 200 beds and 19 retirement villages with 290 units.

2. At 30 June those assets were valued in the audited financial statements at $143.4 million

3. Indebtedness to our bankers, our aged care residents, the funeral fund and residents of the retirement villages is $119.7 million. This includes RAD balances and amounts that would become due upon residents exiting the retirement villages.

4. At 30 June the amount owing to the Commonwealth Bank was $32 million whilst today that balance has been reduced significantly through the very successful uptake of our new aged care facility at Salter Point which has yielded RAD deposits for over 50 beds and the number of beds in the facility being over 50% sold.

5. Revaluations of our aged care facilities in the last 3 months has shown that the aged care facility at Salter Point has increased in value by nearly $10 million.

6. This increase in value has been brought about by the sale of beds to new residents and this in turn has been made possible by the assiduous and meticulous work of a team of aged care specialists one of whom is a senior officer of this Association.

7. In addition the board and executives of the Association are actively engaged in legal work to defend our organisation against unwarranted and serious attacks by previous executives and their associates; counter-suits by our organisation in our defence and efforts all around to hopefully reach an equitable outcome.

8. In addition the board has overall responsibility to oversee the workings of the Funeral Fund which so far has maintained good standing and financial probity through a revised operating framework and a rejuvenated operating structure.

9. We are in the throes of restructuring the accounting and reporting frameworks of the organisation which also takes its time and required expertise and careful administration.

10. We note that there is likely to be a financial impact of Salter Point coming online, along with expected legal costs (which are likely to be substantial), which we will be taking into account.

Bearing in mind the reality of our organisation –  a very large business enterprise with onerous responsibilities to our members, residents of our retirement villages and the residents of our aged care facilities,  a business with assets worth today over $150 million and with detailed reporting responsibilities to both state and federal arms of government, it is unrealistic and simplistic in the extreme  to expect that we can attract any sort of qualified and sophisticated board members and expect them to be responsible for the overall oversight of such a complex business without any remuneration.

The Board has formed active and working committees with oversight over legal matters, audit matters, the funeral fund and remuneration.

We once again thank you members for approving the motions put forward to you.

We would also like to thank members for voicing their concerns on the day. We are currently in the midst of our due diligence process, and we appreciate your continued engagement as we work through the next steps.

Regards

Henrietta de Sa   BA Hons MA
Chief Executive Officer

 

27 May 2025

Retirees WA acknowledges concerns and allegations relating to past financial decisions that have been raised in reporting by the ABC.

Internally, we have worked hard with the help of Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety to significantly deepen our processes to ensure a much stronger organisation with a focus on accountability, financial oversight and internal governance.

Retirees WA reassures members that all existing and future claims in relation to their Funeral Fund contributions will be honoured.

Senior Executives and Board of Retirees WA (which includes a clinical specialist for our aged care and retirement village sectors) are committed to the strong internal processes and we are already seeing the benefits of that work.

We have worked on overhauling our governance, financial oversight and internal controls. We have a robust and balanced board, that is committed to keeping members and residents as updated on developments as possible within the legal framework we are in, to ensure their ongoing confidence in Retirees WA.

Including through the remediation process, we have created a more transparent, accountable and member/resident -focused organisation. A key milestone on that journey has been the development of a new constitution that is modern, member/resident-focused, and can strengthen the governance procedures of the organisation moving forward. Importantly, this also includes the appointment of four independent board members to bring clear oversight, experience and perspective. This added layer of governance addresses some of the gaps that may have existed in the past and ensures a stronger foundation for the future.

As an organisation we are committed to being as transparent as practicable about the changes we have undertaken. Retirees WA has been undergoing a transition for the better, and Retirees WA is confident that members/residents will benefit from the recent changes to our governance, financial oversight and internal controls.

 

Don’t believe what you hear – Read the Facts

 

 

Click HERE for more information about – Retirees WA – Christmas in July Event – 2025

 

17 April 2025

Addendum to Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting

Retirees WA Inc (RWA) refers to RWA’s Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting dated 11 April 2025 (Notice of Meeting), related to RWA’s proposed Special General Meeting to be held on Thursday, 29 May 2025 at the Tuart Hill Branch premises at 10.30am at Osborne Park Community Centre, Community Hall, 11 Royal Street, Tuart Hill.

The Board of RWA has determined to issue this addendum to the Notice of Meeting (Addendum). This Addendum forms part of the Notice of Meeting. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms in this Addendum have the same meaning as given to those terms in the Notice of Meeting.

RWA confirms that in issuing this Addendum there is no change to the time and date of the Meeting, being Thursday, 29 May 2025 at the Tuart Hill Branch premises at 10.30am at Osborne Park Community Centre, Community Hall, 11 Royal Street, Tuart Hill.

This Addendum is issued to provide amended disclosure, being that the proposed remuneration package figures quoted for all Board members are exclusive (not inclusive) of statutory superannuation. As such, the proposed motions are amended to include the words “(exclusive of statutory superannuation)” as follows:

Motion:

Moved:                                                           Seconded:

“The President of Retirees WA Inc receive an annual remuneration package of $20,000 per annum (exclusive of statutory superannuation).”

Motion:

Moved:                                                           Seconded:

“The Vice President of Retirees WA Inc receive an annual remuneration package of $12,000 per annum (exclusive of statutory superannuation).”

Motion:

Moved:                                                           Seconded:

“Each generally-elected Board Member, being a member of Retirees WA Inc, receive an annual remuneration package of $10,000 per annum (exclusive of statutory superannuation).”

Motion:

Moved:                                                           Seconded:

“Each independent Board Member, not being a member of Retirees WA Inc, receive an annual remuneration package of $10,000 per annum and additional compensation for their specialized role up to $15,000 extra per annum (exclusive of statutory superannuation).”

We would be grateful if members actively show their support by taking part in and attending the meeting.

Do give me a call if you need further information.

Regards

Henrietta de Sa BA Hons MA

CEO

 

11 April 2025

Dear Members

Retirees WA Inc is holding an Extraordinary Meeting on 29 May 2025 at the Tuart Hill Branch premises at 10.30am at Osborne Park Community Centre, Community Hall, 11 Royal Street, Tuart Hill.

Retirees WA (Inc) is a not-for-profit organization registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) and governed by the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 in Western Australia. The organization manages 18 retirements villages (290 units), two Aged Care facilities, a funeral fund, a social club, and a bus, with a consolidated turnover exceeding $25 million.

In recent months, Retirees WA Inc has been working closely with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) in relation to its requirements and recommendations. DEMIRS is the department that is responsible for overseeing incorporated associations such as Retirees WA. In particular, in line with DEMIRS’ requirements and recommendations:

· Retirees WA has appointed Henrietta de Sa as Chief Executive Officer and Andrew Kruger as Chief Financial Officer.

· The Membership approved various changes to the constitution at the AGM held in October 2024.

· Following the changes to the Constitution, four Independent Board members specialised in their respective fields have joined the Retirees WA Board.

· The Board has since appointed various Subcommittees to help with better governance of the organisation. They are:

• Disputes Committee;
• Funeral Fund Committee;
• Audit Committee;
• Remuneration Committee; and
• Disciplinary Panel.

 

· Retirees WA has executed a Funeral Fund Trust Deed and Funeral Fund Deed Poll to better safeguard the monies of our members and Retirees WA’s responsibility to ensure that all Funeral Fund contracts are honoured.

The Executives, the Office Holders and rest of the Board members have been working tirelessly, giving a lot of their time in helping Retirees WA achieve its goals. We have various litigation matters on foot and our Disputes committee is working hard to investigate and resolve the issues.

Being on the Board in a voluntary capacity, the generally-elected Board members only receive out-of-pocket expenses relating to travel in performing their duty as a Board member. The Independent Board Members currently receive nothing, however their involvement is on the understanding that their roles will be remunerated. The proposed remuneration for all Board members, subject to signing their proposed Board member engagement agreements, is as follows:

1. President: $20,000 per annum

2. Vice-President: $12,000 per annum

3. Other Board Members: $10,000 per annum

4. Additional compensation for specialized roles: up to $15,000 extra per annum.

 

In accordance with the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 Division 2 Clause 1, Retirees WA Inc would like to put the following motions to the Membership for approval.

Motion:

Moved:                                                                                            Seconded:

“The President of Retirees WA Inc receive an annual remuneration package of $20,000 per annum.”

Motion:

Moved:                                                                                            Seconded:

“The Vice President of Retirees WA Inc receive an annual remuneration package of $12,000 per annum.”

Motion:

Moved:                                                                                            Seconded:

“Each generally-elected Board Member, being a member of Retirees WA Inc, receive an annual remuneration package of $10,000 per annum.”

Motion:

Moved:                                                                                            Seconded:

“Each independent Board Member, not being a member of Retirees WA Inc, receive an annual remuneration package of $10,000 per annum and additional compensation for their specialized role up to $15,000 extra per annum.”

 

On approval by the Membership, the following will then take place:

· Annual Review Process: Set up an annual review mechanism to assess and adjust the remuneration package as needed.

· Transparency Measures: Ensure the remuneration is disclosed in annual reports and the financial statements, as required by ACNC.

· Individual Board Member Agreement: Develop and implement a contract for each Board Member to sign, outlining their responsibilities and the agreed remuneration.

 

We would be grateful if members actively show their support by taking part in and attending the meeting.

Do give me a call if you need further information.

Regards

Henrietta de Sa BA Hons MA

CEO

 

3 April 2025

Dear Members and Residents of Retirees WA Inc

I would like to inform you that Lois Jones has resigned as President of Retirees WA Inc.

Lois has served in this role since 2019 and has been a member of the Board since 2011. We deeply appreciate the leadership and dedication demonstrated throughout her tenure. Her contributions have significantly advanced the mission and goals of our organization.

Lois has very kindly agreed to help with the branches of the organisation and will report to the CEO.

The Board has convened to discuss the succession plan and will ensure a smooth transition of leadership. In accordance with our constitution, Candessa Ashbury, will assume the responsibilities of the President until a permanent successor is appointed at the Annual General Meeting. Danuta Newman has been appointed as Vice President.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact the undersigned.

Retirees WA Inc are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Kruger as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He brings with him a wealth of experience in financial management and strategic planning. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our financial strategies and work towards our mission.

Andrew will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of our organisation, including budget management, financial reporting and Aged Care compliance.

We are confident that his leadership will enhance our financial stewardship and support our continued growth.

We look forward to the positive impact Andrew, Candessa and Danuta will undoubtedly have on our community.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Regards

Henrietta de Sa BA Hons MA

CEO

We are excited to announce the appointment of a new CEO at Retirees WA.

Click the link below to read more:

Chief Executive Officer Appointment – Retirees WA

Please click HERE for more information regarding the Annual General Meeting 2024.

Please make sure to RSVP by 01.10.2024 at:

agm@retireeswa.com.au or 08 9362 0100