When it comes to creating a sense of community and adding vibrancy to Carramar Retirement Village in Morley, the energetic Marina Tisseverasinghe is a virtual powerhouse.
Enjoying living at the village since 2021, Marina and her husband Michael recently joined the Friends of Carramar as committee members to boost interest in existing activities and create new get-togethers.
“I would say that we made a good decision coming to Carramar, being an immigrant myself and living with people from different nationalities – we count ourselves fortunate,” Marina said.
“It’s not only the environment here, not only the people, but it’s also what Juniper offers us – it’s a good lifestyle.”
Originally from Colombo in Sri Lanka, Marina graduated in economics and became an English teacher preparing Sri Lankan students to sit their Year 12 equivalent exams in the UK.
When the couple migrated to Perth in 2010, the proud educator wanted to continue her “dream job” and completed the required course to resume her teaching career in Australia.
As part of the village social club, Marina has gone on to set up a weekly Senior Movers light exercise class, boosted numbers in twice-weekly games sessions where Rummikub is king, hosted barbecues and more.
“Older people have a lot to offer, and I’ve thought of new activities to get more people involved,” Marina said. “It gives me great joy, I feel I still have goals – I have more plans, like introducing a mahjong club.”
Resident DJ at the village hall, husband Michael, provides Marina with lots of support on the tech side of things, looking after audio and video needs at get-togethers.
If Marina didn’t already have a busy schedule, she also has family catch-ups, sings solos at the local church and will continue to work as a pre-primary teacher on a casual basis this year.
“I’m a fun-loving person, and I like people,” Marina said. “The bottom line is to get people involved, be happy and enjoy whatever they are doing.”
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