LOVING OUR RETIREMENT LIVING
Barbara’s sunny outlook
Peter and Robin Cusdin.
The Cusdin’s colourful life Peter and Robin Cusdin live in a three-bedroom villa at Fairview Retirement Village in Albany. They are the perfect example of a couple whose home reflects their personalities. There are no cream walls in their villa! Instead the rooms are painted bright red and green with art adorning the walls. The Cusdin’s moved over to the Shore from Remuera, having previously spent 25 years living in Northland where they owned a B&B. Peter and Robin have lots of hobbies and love spending time with their son and grandson. They sat down with Channel’s Courtney Bennett to talk about why they think Fairview is a fantastic place to live. COURTNEY BENNETT: What do you like about living at Fairview? ROBIN CUSDIN: It’ certainly is a great place to live. I’ve got a mobility scooter and I feel very safe here. There are so many great activities to take part in. It’s been fabulous that we had so much freedom to decorate our house, it really feels like a home. I’m in to art deco and Peter likes his model boats so we’ve got a room devoted to our hobbies. CB: What was your job prior to retirement? RC: We owned a Bed and Breakfast in Northland and a commercial laundry in Whangarei. CB: What did you most look forward to about your retirement years? RC: The freedom to pursue our hobbies. CB: What do you think about technology? RC: We use it, I’ve got Facebook. CB: What’s your advice to someone entering the workforce? RC: Make sure they start early, get work experience and work hard. CB: What’s been your favourite age and why? RC: I would have to say our 20s when we were living in Sydney. We had no responsibilities and I can assure you it was lots of fun! CB: Peter, what person have you admired throughout your life and why? PETER CUSDIN: I reckon Richie McCaw. He’s a fantastic ambassador for New Zealand and for everyone who lives in our wonderful country.
Barbara Phipps lives at Fairview Retirement Village in her apartment overlooking the bowling green. Originally from the UK, Barbara, nearly 80, lived at The Grove in Red Beach before moving to Fairview. Her husband Brian is living elsewhere while they wait for accommodation within Fairview Care to become available. Together Brian and Barbara have two children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, whose photos adorn her fridge. Barbara had a chat to Channel about her blessed life at Fairview. Courtney Bennett: What do you like about living at Fairview? Barbara Phipps: Everything. I love my apartment because it’s in a great position. It’s north facing, so great for the sun in winter and not too hot in summer. I love sitting on the deck and watching life happen. CB: What was your job prior to retirement? BP: ECG Technician at North Shore Hospital (working with equipment that records and measures heart activity). CB: What did you most look forward to about retirement? BP: Being free to do what I want and having time to spend with Brian without the pressure of work.
Barbara Phipps.
CB: Do you use technology? BP: I have an iPad and an iPhone. I also Skype a bit. CB: What are your thoughts on growing old gracefully? BP: Definitely, I always like to look nice and I think it’s about making the most of what you’ve got. CB: What’s your advice for young people entering the workforce? BP: Life is long, so you need to find something you enjoy! And also be driven. CB: What’s been your favourite age and why? BP: I loved it when my kids were little, that was a lovely time. Also even though this past year has been a challenge with Brian getting sick, I’ve never been more confident about doing things on my own too. CB: Which person have you most admired throughout your life and why? BP: After I came to New Zealand I got sick and stayed with a couple from Mt Eden Baptist Church. They became Mum and Pop to my sister and I, and I’ve always admired what they did. We became like a little family.
Please note: In our March issue we made a mistake in running copy for Barbara Phipps along with her photo and the photo of Robin and Peter Cusdin – without any copy! We had a shocker and apologise to them all. Therefore in this issue we have run both of these lovely articles to correct things 100%. We feel you will enjoy reading about how the Phipps and Cusdin’s are loving their retirement living at Fairview.
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Issue 65 - May 2016 www.channelmag.co.nz