Our People

General Manager - Mark Carrette

Kewarra Retirement Village is managed by Kewarra Beach Resort Manager, Mark Carrette. Mark has managed Kewarra Beach Resort since 2009 and in that time the resort has been rated by the internationally recognised Trip Advisor as the 'Top-Rated hotel of 212 hotels & resorts in the Cairns region'.

Mark honed his people, management and customer satisfaction skills over a ten year period working in five and six star hotels and resorts around the world, including Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico, USA, the West Indies and Mauritius.

In that time he worked with some of the world's best-known chefs – while working at Le Touessrok Hotel in Mauritius, Mark directed Michelin-star chefs Gordon Ramsay (who really does swear like a trouper), Alain Ducasse and Marcus Wareing on the service of their meals – and cooked for members of the British and Saudi Arabian royal families.

If anyone knows how to treat you like royalty, Mark does!

Mark brings his extensive experience to the management of Kewarra Retirement Village, maintaining the highest standards and delivering exceptional service.

And, as if that weren't enough, Mark cooks up a storm every Thursday night at the resident's BBQ.


Residential Coordinator - Kay Thoren

Prior to joining Kewarra Retirement Village, Kay spent more than a decade assisting ladies through her role with the North Queensland Women's Legal Service (NQWLS) in Cairns – a community legal centre providing free legal advice and referral for women from all walks of life.

During her time at NQWLS, Kay developed her skills in identifying problems and their underlying causes allowing her to provide effective resolutions.

Kay is passionate about promoting the health and wellbeing of senior residents and believes that Tai Chi encompasses the perfect combination of body, mind and spirit balance that is required to achieve and maintain a healthy life. For many years Kay has taught Tai chi classes at a number of retirement villages, including Kewarra Retirement Village for 12 months prior to accepting the position of Residential Coordinator.

Kay's qualifications include:

  • Dual Certificate IV in Business Administration and Frontline Management
  • Diploma of Zen Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies
  • Senior First Aid and CPR
  • Senior Instructor with the Academy of Tai Chi and Qigong
  • Accredited with Fitness Australia (Exercise Medicine Australia)
    • Falls Injury Prevention training

Mark and Kay are supported by the entire staff of the long-established and award-winning Kewarra Beach Resort. This team of nearly 40 men and women have extensive experience in the hospitality industry (some have worked at Kewarra Beach Resort for more than 20 years) and are all focused on the wellbeing of our residents and maintaining a beautiful village in which you will always be proud to live.