Nestling on the banks of Scott’s Creek and set in the midst of beautiful grounds of over 4,000 square metres is one of Sydney’s best kept secrets – Willoughby Retirement Community Association (WRCA).
WRCA is a Not-For-Profit Community
Founded by Willoughby Council in 1970, WRCA has 50 refurbished self-care apartments of studio, 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms plus a boutique on-site hostel of 29 units, all with balcony views.
Bordering on Muston Park, frequented by ducks and water dragons, WRCA’s Willoughby Village and Hostel are peaceful hidden gems in the heart of Willoughby. Wake up to the singing of the birds and fall asleep to the melody of the babbling brook.
Family Friendly
WRCA is a friendly small community and yet is spacious enough to provide an independent lifestyle – a happy refurbished and well-maintained home where the residents and staff regard each other as extended family.
Quality time is spent together – walking or sitting with a picnic hamper in WRCA’s grounds or Muston Park – where visiting grandchildren are offered playground features of a rocketship with slide, sensory elements, water pump, swings, sandpit, mars rover and trike track!
Location to shops and external services
WRCA is situated at the end of a quiet street and no-through traffic. Take a short stroll to the brand-new Willoughby Woolworths Centre next to Bunnings and the Good Guys.
Chatswood city centre & train station is a 10-minute bus ride, available weekdays and Saturday, or take the bus to Willoughby High Street shops and restaurants and onto the Northern Beaches. The local bus-stops are on the village doorstep. The council community bus also visits the village each week to take residents to and from Chatswood.
Meeting Rooms
The Banksia Room with a large, covered sun deck overlooking Scott’s Creek and Muston Park is WRCA’s centrally located main function centre for resident parties. Our personal care assistant/accommodation maintenance supervisor doubles as a barbecue chef and coffee barista extraordinaire. His clever dog Pixie, WRCA’s mascot and friendly receptionist, is always happy for anyone to throw her ball or soft toy.
The top floor of the 8-storey self-care tower includes the Grace Lounge Room with kitchen, TV, library & computer area. The Banksia Room and Grace Room facilities are free to use, where residents can relax, entertain guests or book for private functions for a small fee at the village office.
Our Independent Living Village – Willoughby Village
No water rates, council rates, strata levies, or hidden charges.
Pensioners: For 1-bed units this entry price allows you to be paid government rent assistance for life. Rent assistance reduces your out-of-pocket village maintenance fees to less than ¼ of the full pension. This provides a life residency for pensioners at a rental equivalent of $130 per week.
Self-Funded Retirees: 1½-bed residences 2-bed and 3-bed residences.
These larger “home-owner” residences do not qualify for rent assistance, however, while you reside in the village, part of your balance entry contribution is refunded to you at $15,000 each year for 10 years!
WRCA’s Aged Care Facility – Willoughby Hostel has the maximum 5 Star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Our separate on-site hostel is the only aged care home in the district with this rating of excellence in the provision of services and is in the top 20 (1%) of aged care facilities in Australia.
WRCA’s 40 permanent staff includes 10 Registered Nurses. We offer government subsidised daily care as approved by Hospital ACAT & Centrelink. Our ‘hostel outreach care’ with meals, laundry and cleaning services, can also be provided in your residence, if and when you wish.
Willoughby Hostel provides daily health care for residents in 29 refurbished studio apartments and a comfortable dining room. The studio units each with a large bathroom and balcony are located over four floors with central foyer social areas. The hostel offers an activities & games area with large print books, a hairdressing salon, a weekly doctor’s clinic and visiting podiatrist.
Visiting musicians and entertainers regularly attend the hostel, or via zoom, for various performances. The hostel is equipped with iPads and wide screen TVs for residents to enjoy movies or family contact as an alternative to organised activities and walks in Muston Park.
