Weary Dunlop Retirement Village • Summer edition 2018
Birthday party! Residents and sta celebrated the fourth birthday of our village at a western themed party
Meet Bev
Jazz time!
Ageless, Active, Aware
Greetings from Kym... Hello and welcome to the summer edition of Dunlop’s Diary.
the results after what had been a great year for the Tigers.
It’s been such a busy time and the village has been abuzz with celebrations and entertainment.
Looking out around the village it’s hard not to feel on top of the world as the gardens burst into bloom. It reminds me yet again how fortunate I am to be surrounded by so many wonderful things.
In August we celebrated our 4th birthday and the country themed celebrations were centred around thoughts of our drought-stricken farmers. We continued our fundraising efforts to contribute to help out this worthy cause. We also celebrated the AFL grand final with a footy quiz, handball competition and many more fantastic events. It was great to see the residents dress up in their team colours. Fair to say it was an amazing result to this year’s grand final between Collingwood and West Coast but this Richmond supporter was less than impressed with
Please don’t hesitate to contact me, or any member of my team, if you have any queries. Kind regards,
Kym Faulkner Village Manager
Fantastic show! Kiwi singer Rebecca Nelson (pictured) made her Australian debut at the village in September, wowing residents with a repertoire that included some wartime favourites. Rebecca performs regularly at Ryman villages, but this was her first Melbourne appearance and the audience loved her. Liz
Kym Faulkner Village Manager Ph: 03 8545 1400 Call Kym for general enquiries, or for information about low care, high care and specialist dementia care.
Dunlop’s Diary | 2
Liz Battersby Sales Advisor Ph: 03 8545 1403 Call Liz for more information about independent or serviced apartments.
Weary Dunlop’s fourth birthday The wild west came to Weary Dunlop as residents and staff celebrated its fourth birthday. Hay bales, cowboy hats and leather boots filled the village centre in August as residents enjoyed a mouth-watering barbecue lunch before being entertained by staff member Jenny and her boot scooting line-dancing troop. The village was officially opened by Weary Dunlop’s son, John, at a glitzy ceremony on August 22, 2014. The opening marked Ryman Healthcare’s arrival in Australia, after operating retirement villages in New Zealand for 30 years. It was a fantastic afternoon celebrating our amazing village and its community. Above: Jim Garrie, Graeme Ruthven and Tom Myors. Inset Top: The delicious cake was a hit with our residents Inset Bottom: Activities Coordinator Deidre MacGregor with residents Margaret Stoll and Trish George.
Dunlop’s Diary | 3
Staff Profile
Meet Liz
You’re just as likely to find me rock climbing with my grandchildren or snorkelling with them – there’s never a dull moment. Liz Battersby is fizzing with excitement. After 13 years in the retirement living industry, traversing a wide range of roles, Weary Dunlop’s new sales advisor feels she’s finally found an organisation whose values align with her own. Liz has worked as a village manager (with responsibility for social activities, maintenance, sales, refurbishment, even driving the bus!), and in sales roles for a number of different operators. In Ryman Healthcare, though, she feels she’s found the genuinely resident-focused organisation she’s long dreamed of working for. “From my experience the focus on the residents is just so strong with Ryman and it’s only been confirmed (during my induction) with everyone that I’ve spoken to just really focused on the residents.” That culture of care and kindness drew Liz to her new role, but it wasn’t the only thing. “That [resident focus] was a big part of it but it was also Ryman’s financial model, which is just so amazing. “To be able to present that to a sales prospect is just a no-brainer for them – why would they look at any other villages when we’re offering such a wonderful financial model?”
Ryman’s continuum of care, which sees independent apartments, serviced apartments and aged care all located in one village, makes it the complete package, Liz says. “That’s been an obstacle for me in past sales roles. A potential resident would say ‘what happens if I need aged care?’ and now it’s wonderful to be able to say, ‘don’t worry about that, everything is here on site’. That’s a really lovely message to be able to deliver.” While the mother-of-three and grandmotherof-six loves working in the retirement living industry, it’s far from her only passion. Describing herself as “generally a bit crazy and loves to have fun”, her interests outside work include dancing, singing, playing music, hot rod shows, fishing, and horse riding. “You’re just as likely to find me rock climbing with my grandchildren or snorkelling with them – there’s never a dull moment.” Her main focus now, though, is immersing herself in village life at Weary Dunlop. Liz says she’s looking forward to getting to know the residents and staff, and contributing to the village’s strong sense of community.
Dunlop’s Diary | 4
Ryman chefs take top prize At the recent New Zealand Hospitality Awards, our in-house Chefs; Steve Iraia and Paul Korunic, took the top two prizes.
also pleased to go one better than last year. “We’ve got the two top positions in the country, which is a brilliant result.’’
Steve has been the chef at Princess Alexandra village in Napier for 10 years. He was named the winner in the senior lifestyle section.
Steve and Paul had 75 minutes to cook meals for eight people consisting of four hoki loin dishes and four dishes featuring beef cheeks.
Steve came second in last year’s competition.
Ryman Hotel Services Manager Andrew Gibson said he was proud of the chefs, as the dishes they prepared had to be practical and suitable for Ryman menus.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic, it was a bit like taking care of some unfinished business.”
Village chefs serve up more than 10,000 meals a day to our residents. Chefs prepare the food fresh on-site, with three main course choices, including a vegetarian option.
Both Steve and Paul’s classic recipes feature in Ryman Delicious menus. Paul, Chef at Anthony Wilding village in Christchurch for the last four years, was
The myRyman revolution is coming to Australia Empowering staff to continuously improve our standards of care is very important to us.
assistants can update your records in real time as they are caring for you in your private room.
To achieve that, myRyman care was born. myRyman is an innovative electronic care program, which is accessible on a tablet located in every resident’s care room.
By dramatically reducing the time spent on “It makes excited about paperwork, staff areus now able to spend more quality time doing what theyand do best – caring for what’s possible, where our residents. we can take it next.”
It has revolutionised the way we manage our care assessments, plans, delivery and evaluations, not to mention progress notes. This means nurses and care
myRyman includes staff rostering, which means that your care is linked directly to how we plan our staffing. Therefore, when a regular nurse or care assistant is absent, the new carer can access your full history at a touch of a button. It’s the little things that make a difference, nd with myRyman, the easy Ryman lifestyle is augmented. myRyman care will be rolled out at our Australian villages early in 2019.
Dunlop’s Diary | 5
Resident Profile
Meet Bev
But Bev’s more than just a friendly neighbour who likes to stop and chat. She’s built deep, personal friendships in the village, and established connections to the community that ensures she’s constantly busy. She helps run the village’s arts and craft group, is a member of the gardening group, attends fine dining nights each month, and attends most of the organised events in the village centre. Bev’s first year in her ground floor apartment at Weary Dunlop was hard. Her husband, Noel, was unwell and she spent much of her time caring for him. She hardly went out at all. When Noel died in January last year, Bev had to think about how she was going approach life without him.
I couldn’t be happier here, I really couldn’t. It’s just a lovely place. Bev Gardiner and her six-year-old Maltese bichon frise, Lilly, go for daily walks and it’s as much a social exercise as a physical one. For Bev, Lilly isn’t just a much-loved companion, she’s a conduit to other people. “My neighbours... they’re just so lovely. Because I walk round every night with Lilly, I just wave to everyone. If they’re sitting outside I’ll stop and have a chat to them, so I get to know them.”
Her connection to the village and its people runs deep. When a neighbour is unwell, Bev does their shopping for them. When someone needs a hand, Bev’s door is one they know they can knock on. “And I don’t mind doing that – I’ll help anyone if I can. “I couldn’t be happier here, I really couldn’t. It’s just a lovely place.”
AFL grand final Footy fever gripped our residents as they counted down to the recent AFL grand final between the Collingwood Magpies and West Coast Eagles. There was food, footy trivia, and even a ball skills challenge. Residents John Kelly and Sue Simpson were proudly sporting Collingwood, who were gunning for their first premiership since 2010. It wasn’t to be in the end, but it was wonderful to see everyone wearing the colours of their team, whether they were in the grand final or not. Pictured: Reidents Maureen and John Reed.
Dunlop’s Diary | 6
Jazz time!
Honouring Weary
Recently the residents were entertained by the amazingly gifted jazz singer Pippa Wilson and her band. The village centre was crowded to watch a stunning performance by a superb musician. What a voice!
Recently around 170 people gathered at the statue of Sir Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop’s to mark his 111th birthday. Among them was a group of Weary Dunlop residents. Resident Jack Mills said it was a great opportunity to pay tribute to an outstanding Australian.
Pictured: Jazz singer Pippa Wilson wowed the residents at her performance.
Pictured: Members of the Australian Defence Force stand guard around Weary Dunlop’s memorial statue.
Staff Profile
Introducing Pamela
Hello, my name is Pamela Wheeler. Almost three years ago I started working at Weary Dunlop in a completely new industry after a 35-year career as a Graphic Designer. I was full of excitement to take my first steps to becoming a lifestyle coordinator.
I’m grateful for the belief and opportunities offered
Working on a casual basis covering lifestyle roles across the board, gave me a wide understanding and experience in all areas of our village. Last year I completed my Certificate IV
Dunlop’s Diary | 7
becoming a qualified Lifestyle Coordinator and I am excited to now be working in a fulltime position as Weary Dunlop’s Serviced Apartment Lifestyle Coordinator. Sharing my passions, craft and travel photography and drawing from my experience as a graphic designer allows me to offer our residents a range of activities on a professional level. I’m grateful for the belief and opportunities offered and am enjoying my position within Ryman Healthcare.
Active, Ageless, Aware You only have to look at the smiles to see that Triple A classes are about more than just physical health and wellbeing. Activities and Lifestyle Coordinator Chelsea Richdale saw that for herself when she joined Weary Dunlop residents for a Triple A class. Chelsea, who is based in Christchurch, was in Melbourne to give presentations to Weary Dunlop and Nellie Melba residents on how to reduce the risk of falls. And Triple A is key to achieving that. “We have evidence that shows that Triple A actually does improve physical wellbeing. It’s also huge for social and emotional wellness, and just for confidence in relation to falls as well,” Chelsea said.
Upcoming events NOV
NOV
20
29
Christmas high tea
Flower arranging
DEC
DEC
4
30
Health and wellbeing presentation
Rock ‘n’ Roll demonstration
Pictured: Wendy Bould and Margaret Jenkinson.
242 Jells Road, Wheelers Hill, Melbourne
www.wearydunlop.com.au