Michael Harrison – Chairman

Michael Harrison has dedicated most of his working career to urban development throughout Queensland. Over the past 35 years, Michael has been responsible for the approval of over 7000 land lots and more than 400 units and townhouses in South East Queensland.  His major projects have been Pelican Waters, Bella Vista Estate, the Brisbane City Council Complex at Indooroopilly, and the Shell/McDonalds Complex Windsor.

For the last ten years Michael and Justin have solely focused on the development, operation and marketing of retirement communities.  Michael has been involved in the approval of over 1500 retirement units in South East Queensland over the past 10 years.

Michael brings to the role of Chairman more than four decades’ experience in executive and operational management associated with developments in residential, commercial and industrial sectors.  Michael's extensive experience throughout many market cycles in Queensland property, has imparted him with high level knowledge, understanding and maturity that have ensured the overwhelming success of his developments.

Prior to his Managing Directorship position with both the Village Retirement Group (formerly Harrison Developments) and ME Harrison Investments (circa 1979), Michael held a Managing Director position with Lucas & Tait and a State Management Position with Hooker Rex, now commonly referred to as LJ Hooker. In these positions, he was responsible for and instrumental in achieving the development of large-scale projects such as Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Paradise Waters, Palm Garden Waters and Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast.

Michael commenced his early career days by studying and qualifying as a Licensed Surveyor in Victoria in 1965, and later in Queensland in 1969. His earlier positions included a Staff Surveyor for the Department of Lands in Victoria, a Chief Surveyor, Town Planner and Land Development Manager for Hooker Rex. Michael’s passion for continuing education and professional development saw him complete the Graduate Diploma of Urban and Regional Planning in 1979 and saw him become a Licensed Real Estate Agent in 1974.

Throughout Michael’s career, he has served in many directorships and committee positions across Australia.  Michael was the National President of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Federal) 1998 - 1999.  He was the President of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland) between 1984 – 1986 and again between 1994 – 1996.  Michael Harrison is a Member of the Aged Care Association of Queensland and a Life Member of the Urban Development Institute Australia and Queensland branches.  During the past 12 years, Michael has studied the trends in the development of retirement living and assisted care accommodation in Australia and the United States. 

Justin Harrison – Chief Executive Officer Of The Village Retirement Group

As the Chief Executive Officer of The Village Retirement Group, Justin Harrison is responsible for the strategic growth and ongoing development of the organisation.  Under Justin’s governance, The Village Retirement Group has successfully specialised in high quality retirement Village developments, resulting in the approval and current development of more than 1500 units in South East Queensland. The Village Retirement Group is one of the most dynamic and successful companies operating in South East Queensland in the development of retirement villages.

Justin completed his Bachelor of Applied Science (Property Economics) and went on further to obtain his full Real Estate Licence in Queensland.  Justin’s entire working career has been dedicated to property development and marketing; and he brings more than 17 years of experience in land acquisitions, gaining development approvals and delivering successful development outcomes.  One of Justin’s greatest strengths is his experience in the successful marketing of diverse property portfolios, throughout a range of industry times and cycles.

Justin has been a committee member of the Retirement Living Committee (Aged Care QLD) since 2001, and is also a member of Aged Care Queensland.  He is a member of the Retirement Village Association, Australia’s Retirement Village Committee in QLD, as well as a member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and presently sits on the Brisbane City Council Liaisons Committee.

Under Justin’s strategic vision and direction, The Village Retirement Group has successfully acquired and is developing 4 major retirement village development sites in South East Queensland. For more information click on this link: www.vrgroup.com.au