ZIG INGE
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
By CRAIG BUTT
THE founder and joint managing director of the group that bears his name, Zig Inge is the patriarch of one of Australia's wealthiest families.
Mr Inge came to Australia from Latvia in 1949. He worked as a real estate agent in Melbourne's eastern suburbs in the early 1950s before deciding to switch from selling homes to building them. The company he founded with his brother Alex, Inge Bros, soon developed a reputation for quality construction.
He then decided to make another switch and moved his focus to retirement villages, "I built my first village in the '70s and haven't stopped working since then," Mr Inge says.
The retirement villages built by what later became the Zig Inge Group introduced innovations previously unseen in Australia. They were individually titled and resident-funded, and elderly people could live in their own home and benefit from communal facilities. They had regular social activities and had live-in managers. He also pioneered a deferred payment system in which residents only had to pay cost of living once they moved out of the village.
Mr Inge says improving living standards for the elderly became his purpose in life.
"Retirement living is my love. I love it. I love people and I love elderly people and I think they deserve a better lifestyle. One of the aims of our villages is to prolong the independent living of the average person," he says.
Until the sale of the retirement village division of Zig Inge Group in 2007, his company operated 19 retirement villages, 3000 units and six serviced apartment complexes throughout Australia.
He has since bought back one village, Prospect Hill in Camberwell.
Mr Inge also has a passion for philanthropy. His Zig Inge Foundation, founded in 2008, has funded community groups including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience.
"I wanted to give something back for what I've got. I've had a wonderful life here," he says.
But Mr Inge, 86, who has been described as the patriarch of retirement in Australia, has no plans to retire himself.
"I don't think so. Not for the time being. I'm trying to extend my own independent living as well."
He says his Queen's Birthday honour, which acknowledges his services to retirement village industry and philanthropy, was an unexpected surprise.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Who is Zig Inge and what is his background in the Australian property industry?
Zig Inge is the founder and joint managing director of the group bearing his name. He emigrated from Latvia to Australia in 1949, worked as a real estate agent in Melbourne in the early 1950s, then moved into building homes with his brother Alex (Inge Bros) before focusing on retirement villages.
What retirement village innovations did Zig Inge introduce in Australia?
Zig Inge pioneered several retirement village innovations: individually titled, resident-funded homes; communal facilities and regular social activities; live-in managers; and a deferred payment system where residents only pay the cost of living once they move out.
How large was the Zig Inge Group’s retirement village operation before the 2007 sale?
Before selling the retirement village division in 2007, the Zig Inge Group operated 19 retirement villages, about 3,000 units and six serviced apartment complexes across Australia.
Did Zig Inge keep any retirement villages after the 2007 sale?
Yes. After the 2007 sale of the retirement village division, Zig Inge later bought back one village — Prospect Hill in Camberwell.
What is Zig Inge’s philosophy on retirement living and independent living for older Australians?
Zig Inge says improving living standards for the elderly became his purpose. He wants to prolong independent living for the average person, loves working in retirement living, and believes older people deserve a better lifestyle with social support and communal facilities.
What philanthropic work does Zig Inge do through his foundation?
Zig Inge founded the Zig Inge Foundation in 2008. The foundation has funded community groups including the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience.
Is Zig Inge planning to retire from his work in retirement living?
No. At age 86 he told the article he has no plans to retire and is still working, also aiming to extend his own independent living.
Has Zig Inge received public recognition for his services to retirement villages and philanthropy?
Yes. He received a Queen’s Birthday honour in recognition of his services to the retirement village industry and his philanthropic work, an award he described as an unexpected surprise.
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