Ciska Herrman is enjoying this exciting new chapter of her life. Page by page. 

The self-confessed bookworm moved into her spacious two-bedroomed unit at Uniting AgeWell Strathdevon retirement living in Latrobe last year and has already come up with a novel idea that’s getting rave reviews. 

Ciska introduced the book swap among the residents of the ten-unit retirement village, which she runs from her lounge room.  “The books are rotated, and when everyone is finished reading them all, I sell them at the market and buy more second-hand ones,” she explains. Love stories, crime novels, historical dramas – you name it, Ciska loves them all.  

She also enjoys the camaraderie of the complex. “I held a morning tea for everyone at my unit before Christmas and someone else is holding a soup lunch to welcome a newcomer in a few weeks. You make enduring and deep friendships here. It’s very special.” 

Ciska says the beating heart of the complex is Retirement Living Community Manager Jane Legard.  “She organised an Easter social for us all and she’s busy arranging a street party for us at Christmas. This is not just a job for Jane. She puts her all in it. She’s compassionate and caring – she’s one in a million!” 

Ciska, who used to do office work, has spent most of her life in Launceston.  She was a volunteer for Shekinah, a charity which supports the homeless, and still helps with meals when she can. 

However, she was delighted to move from a very unsuitable rental to her sunny unit in Latrobe and says the people in the area are very friendly.  “Everyone greets you in town. All the shop keepers are so chatty and kind, I’m so glad to be living here.” 

Her days are peaceful and busy. She enjoys doing puzzles, gardening and listening to music and catching up with her son, who is in the defence force, when he visits her over the Christmas holidays. 

“I also visit the two horses in the paddock at the end of the street,” says Ciska. “I feed them apples and carrots so they’re always pretty pleased to see me.”