Food for the soul

- NEW FACES -

Welcoming our new Village Managers

We are delighted to welcome Kat Instrall – Village Manager at The Poynton and Garry Lucas – Village Manager at Highlands to the Metlifecare family. And a big congratulations to Paul Johnson, who has been part of the Dannemora Gardens team for a number of years, prior to taking up the role of Village Manager at Longford Park Village. We are thrilled to have you all onboard and thank you for sharing a bit more about yourselves below. In the next issue, we’ll look forward to hearing from our new Village Managers at Greenwich Gardens and Coastal Villas too!

He may be the new Village Manager at Longford Park Village, but Paul Johnson is no stranger to Metlifecare. He tells us about his journey. When did you join Metlifecare?

I started at Dannemora Gardens four-and-a-half years ago, initially as Café Manager, and then Café and Village Services Manager. Earlier this year I took on an Acting Village Manager role at Coastal Villas, and shortly afterwards, the Village Manager role at Longford Park came up.

Why did Longford Park Village appeal to you?

A few years ago, I’d attended a fabulous cocktail party there with some of my Dannemora Gardens residents. The warmth and friendliness of residents and staff stuck in my mind - I could see myself feeling at home there.

What do you love about aged care?

One of the great things about this sector is meeting so many different people with so many different stories to tell. I love hearing about people’s lives and feel we can learn so much from our residents. The opportunity to make a difference is also a big drawcard.

You’re originally from the UK. Tell us more.

I hail from Woolton Village in the Northwest of England. I joined the Royal Navy at 18, intending to train as a chef, but after basic training I was “guided” to transfer and become a Regulator. I was fanatical about sports back then and this role gave me more sporting opportunities. Unfortunately, while training to represent the Royal Navy as a cannon runner at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, I suffered a spinal injury which eventually led to my discharge from the service. From there I pursued a career in hospitality and emigrated to New Zealand a little over a decade ago.

Is Metlifecare your first foray into aged care?

Yes! I was looking for a different way to use my hospitality skills and the opportunity at Dannemora Gardens really appealed to me. I haven’t looked back! fantastic and very welcoming and I’m enjoying meeting our wonderful residents as I can.

What have been your Highlands highlights so far?

Getting to know our residents and my team, and watching the interactions and positive impact we can make on the daily lives of those who call this village ‘home’. I think it’s an exciting time to be in the aged care sector and I’m optimistic about the future.

Tell us something people may not know about you.

I’ve been fortunate to have travelled to more than 40 countries and enjoy new experiences, cultures and cuisines. I also love the great outdoors – two of my favourite weekend pastimes are cycling and hiking with my wife Radhika and our two boys Reegan (14) and Arun (11).

Garry Lucas has come full circle, returning from Melbourne to his childhood stomping ground to take up the reins at Metlifecare’s Highlands. We chat to him about his new life as a Village Manager. Garry, what appealed to you about this role?

I spent 18 years working for Hilton Hotels, most recently as Hotel Manager at the DoubleTree in Melbourne. I was looking for a new and exciting way to use my skills in hospitality management, my passion for service and my genuine love of working with people. The Highlands Village Manager role seemed to be a great fit!

We hear you’re a local?

Yes! I grew up in Bucklands Beach and have now settled close by in Half Moon Bay.

What’s it like starting a new role in lockdown?

It’s definitely a new experience, but these are unprecedented times. My team have been

As a teenager, Kat Instrall’s firstever job was cooking and serving dinners at a residential home. She didn’t know it at the time, but her first foray into aged care was a sign of things to come. We chat to Kat about her new role as Village Manager at The Poynton. What do you love most about working in aged care?

The people! I love hearing all the awesome stories and knowing that everything we do really makes a difference in people’s lives.

What drew you to The Poynton?

I looked at joining Metlifecare a few years ago as I was looking for a role where I could genuinely benefit others. It wasn’t the right time, but more recently I received a message that The Poynton was looking for a new Village Manager. The rest is history!

What have been the most memorable moments so far?

I started during lockdown which was crazy, but fun. It’s been a weird but lovely way to meet our residents. Delivering the morning teas, lunches and some of the dinners has been a nice way to get to know them - and dancing round the village with the ‘chicken man’ has been a definite highlight!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m originally from Worthing in the UK, but I immigrated to New Zealand and settled on the North Shore 16 years ago when my eldest daughter was eight months old. We still live locally, although our house is now filled with three teenagers.

Where might we find you when you’re not at The Poynton?

Either with my family or at a choir rehearsal. I sing with a choir in Auckland and am also the librarian so can be found sourcing music for our choir and other choirs across New Zealand.