Quondam Village bids farewell to longstanding manager
Over the years a solar system, to keep the office functioning, was installed as well as a borehole drilled.
It was a sad day for the residents of Quondam Village when longstanding village manager Liz Figueirinha bid farewell.
During her 16 and a half years at Quondam Village, Liz was an integral part of it since its inception.
She has managed the village affairs with care, love and dedication.
When building operations of the village got underway in 2008 Liz, together with a security guard, began the daunting, but exciting task of managing the new venture.
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Liz remembers those early days with contractors and dust everywhere, waiting for the first resident to move into the first of 46 units.
Over the years there were many first experiences for Liz such as the raising of the village flag as well as the blessing of the village, the singing of Christmas Carols by the residents’ committee who walked around to all the units on Christmas Eve, accompanied by the strumming of a guitar; the establishment of the biennial handing over of food donations to the pensioners of Wychwood Mansions and the conversion of the Jeppe Bowls’ Pavilion to create a community centre.
During the early days at the village there was no manager’s office so Liz made use of space available.
First was a room at the Jeppe Club, then to a couple of units before they were sold, followed by the occupation of a small room behind the Bowls’ Pavilion until one day she was able to move into the new building at the entrance to the village.
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Liz remarked that as the years went by the village grew. A solar system, to keep the office functioning, was installed as well as a borehole drilled.
Many residents and Liz followed this fascinating operation until clear water eventually gushed out and Liz took the first drink.
The borehole now supplies treated water to the residents and to Jeppe Club.
At the end of January, the Quondam Trust organised a get-together for all residents to bid Liz an official goodbye.
There were many tributes and opportunities to say thank you but one of the more special ones from the security, cleaning and gardening staff described Liz as being more than a boss but rather a mother figure.
These words epitomise the love, care, empathy and kindness which Liz showed over the years, not only to her staff but also to the residents, being available 24/7.
The Quondam Village wished Liz well.
“We will miss you but Godspeed, may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face.”
