Village’s name honours Deborah Cheetham

YORTA Yorta soprano, composer, and educator Deborah Cheetham has been honoured with the naming of a retirement village now open in Ocean Grove.

Ryman Healthcar’s latest retirement village is named after the world-renowned opera singer and Indigenous rights advocate.

Ms Cheetham, who has been an influential advocate for First Nations people and a powerful public voice in the fight against all forms of discrimination, and accepted the honour on her birthday in late November.

The design of the new village is inspired by Deborah’s vision to represent the facility’s connection to First Nations country and culture.

Sarrita King, contemporary Australian Indigenous artist, was commissioned to design Various artworks throughout the village and a hand tufted rug greeting people in the village’s reception area.

Ms Cheetham, who also performed at the village’s black-tie opening with members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, said she was honoured to have joined the list of influential Australians to have a Ryman village named after them, including Weary Dunlop, Nellie Melba, John Flynn, and Raelene Boyle (who also attended the November 24 opening).

“I am incredibly proud to be the namesake of the newest Ryman Healthcare location.

The process of working together has been nothing but collaborative and supportive, and I applaud the brand’s genuine commitment to understanding and celebrating First Nations people and culture.”

The village includes villas, assisted living in serviced apartments and an aged care centre as well as amenities including a gym, a bowling green, a hair and beauty salon, a chapel, a cinema, a bar, a cafe, and an indoor swimming pool.

The opening of the Deborah Cheetham Retirement Village has created more than 50 new jobs within the community, with Ryman saying locals were attracted by the prospect of working for a values-based organisation with a positive purpose.

Ryman’s other sites include the Charles Brownlow Retirement Village in Highton, named after the legendary Geelong Cats captain and administrator.

Ryman Healthcare Australia chief executive officer Cameron Holland said it was an honour to have Ms Cheetham join the pantheon of great Australians the company had named its villages after.

“Deborah is a voice of honesty, a builder of bridges, and an irreplaceable leader in the Indigenous community.

“She took a leap of faith when she agreed to lend her name to this village, but what’s grown from there has been an authentic, collaborative partnership that’s created a village community that will serve Ocean Grove for decades to come.

“Every older Australia deserves the opportunity to live their life to the fullest, and have care and support easily accessible if they need it down the track. With Deborah’s support, we’ve created a village that will provide exactly that.”