Settlers Rest is managed by the park's owner, a team of residents and a real estate property manager. Several of the key roles around the park are held by residents, such as maintenance of the grounds and water filters, mail deliveries, gate access, social calendar events, Market Garden plantings and gardening and general trade maintenance.
It is truly a community location, where some residents like to be an active part of the park and others don't. It is not a requirement of residency, but a choice people make individually, knowing that whatever they do is for the benefit of the whole park.
Many residents have pets and mornings and evenings will often see owners and dogs meeting up for a chat on their walk. The pets know each other as much as the residents do.
Settlers Rest is also home to a variety of wildlife including birds, frogs, fish and turtles.
WORKING BEES The park is our home and to help keep it looking nice, there are occasional Working Bees which are also social events. If a resident needs help with their garden, or removal of rubbish/unwanted items or just a bit of quick maintenance work, one of the Working Bees is a great way to get help. They're also used to do bigger jobs around the park like cutting logs into firewood for those who need it, big jobs around the Community Garden, big weeding projects, upgrades to the shared recreational spaces etc.
COMMUNITY EVENTS are for everyone in the park. They are held in The Shed in the cooler months, and the Gazebo when it's warmer. They include:
- Morning tea/coffee - where the only thing you may want to bring are some yummies to share and/or your favourite mug
- Wednesday Happy Hour - sometimes also a pizza or dinner night. It's an excuse to get together and alcohol is optional. BYO and any nibblies you'd like to share or join your neighbours for a $5 meal
- Dinner or Lunch out - occasional visits to a local venue either by bus or car-share. These outings require numbers for bookings.
- Barbeques and other food events - watch out for dates. BYO meat, salads to share and anything else you'd like to add to the table.
COMMUNITY GARDEN While each site resident is encouraged to maintain their own garden and many have small veggie plots, the park has several large, raised garden beds, a worm farm and compost bins for the use of all residents. These are for residents to use, with the produce available to everyone in the park.
RESIDENTS COMMITTEE A formal committee that acts as a liaison between residents and the owner/landlord, providing a process through which residents can express their concerns, suggestions and questions. The committee also organises for outside representatives to provide information and demonstrations and activities the residents request. These include learning how to use a fire extinguisher and blanket, how to perform CPR and use the on-site defibrilator etc.
PLANNED There are several other things put forward by residents as possible future activities. These include:
- Pool parties - blowup pools provided.
- Fire pit evenings
- Swap and Give - a centralised location for when you have something you think someone else in the park might like/need.
- Pool and darts competitions
