Chas Jacobsen
Founder, The Village Glen
Chas Jacobsen is one of the pioneers and visionaries of the modern retirement village industry, having
commenced building The Village Glen in 1978 into what is today the largest and most successful village in
Australia, with over 800 residents.
In 1985 he was a driving force behind the establishment of the Retirement Village Association, along with John Brown
from The Village Glen, Clinton Casey and Dennis Mathieson from IOOF (Cumberland View RV) , Johnathan Forster from
Balmoral Gardens RV and the late Wal Oakey from The Village Baxter.
The Lease / Licence Agreement concept was developed by these pioneers, a unique Australian contract.
Chas and the others listed supported the Victorian Government’s establishment of the very first Retirement Villages Act
in Australia to provide protection to residents and he sat on the inaugural Advisory Panel. The legislation in many ways
reflected most of the conditions on The Village Glen’s original Town Planning approval.
Chas has agreed to speak at the LEADERS SUMMIT, his first public outing in 25 years, as he wishes to contribute his
view of the rapidly changing retirement village market to assist other operators – and ultimately the residents – maintain a
secure and prosperous future.