Ryman Times New Zealand Summer 2019

RYMAN TIMES • SUMMER 19/2 0 Neurosurgeon wins the 2019 Ryman Prize Lots of interest in Lincoln Road Ryman’s marathon effort

NEW ZEALAND EDITION

Ryman riders pretty in pink

A note from Gordy Kia ora, Merry Christmas, and welcome to your summer edition of the Ryman Times.

It was great to read about the great work of Tim Reid and Adrian Wiggill and their gaggle of young builders.

If anyone knows where 2019 went, could they please let me know! I’m not surprised that it has flown by because we set a busy agenda for the year, which we have been working hard to meet.

When they join Ryman, they know they are working for a company with a purpose.

It has been full of progress, we have built a whole lot of momentum, and I think 2020 is going to be an absolute cracker. We have invested more in safety, improving our care for residents and making sure they love living in our villages.

We have also invested a lot in our team through training and development programmes and increased pay, and we will continue to do so.

And, as you can see in the stories in this edition, we have given an awful lot back to the community through initiatives such as the new stroke van in Victoria, the Ryman Prize and through fundraisers for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

I was absolutely delighted to see Kiri Te Kanawa’s team recognised at the Aged Care Association’s Excellence in Healthcare awards.

The award recognised a whole lot of hard work by the team to turn their many combined years of experience into qualifications. I hope they feel as proud of their achievement as I am of them.

They’re not just working on any old project – they are building homes and security for good sorts like Anne Hopkins, Bev Morris and Barry and Heather Magee who feature in this issue.

It’s our mission to build as many Ryman communities as we can for people like them.

All of this would not be possible if it weren’t for the continued support of our shareholders and contractors thanks for your backing throughout 2019.

Merry Christmas from everyone at Ryman. I hope everyone has a restful and safe break and I’m looking forward to updating you all again next year on the world of Ryman.

Take care,

Gordon MacLeod Chief Executive

In this issue Half-year results - new Northwood site............................................................................................3 Canadian neurosurgeon wins 2019 Ryman Prize .....................................................................4 Lots of interest in Lincoln Road .............................................................................................................6 Bev’s new life begins beside the river.................................................................................................8 Ryman behind the wheel of new stroke van .................................................................................9 Ryman riders pretty in pink .....................................................................................................................10 Apprentices on the books .........................................................................................................................11 Pat’s powerful mammogram message ........................................................................................... 12 Anne appreciates the personal touch ............................................................................................ 13 Ryman's marathon effort ..........................................................................................................................14 Royal endorsement for Rebecca’s new charity........................................................................15 Great kiwi runners inspire block names.........................................................................................16 Sam Neill wins Ryman-backed award............................................................................................. 17 Kiri Te Kanawa team wins at aged care awards .......................................................................18 Karori residents updated on campus plans .............................................................................. 20

Ryman Healthcare Ltd Airport Business Park 92 Russley Road, Christchurch PO Box 771, Christchurch 8042 0800 588 222 • rymanhealthcare.co.nz

Ryman Times is printed on an environmentally responsible paper, FSC® certified, Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.

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Front cover: Dr Michael Fehlings and the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

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Half-year results - new Northwood site Ryman Healthcare’s unaudited first half underlying profit rose 6.2% to $103 million, driven by record resales volumes.

The full year underlying profits in the 12 months to March 2020 are expected to range from $250 million to $265 million.

Reported (IFRS) profit, which includes unrealised fair value gains on investment property, increased 11.1% to $188.3 million.

Cash generation was strong in the half, with operating cashflows up 17.6% to $256.1 million. Shareholders will receive an increased interim dividend of 11.5 cents a share.

Full year profits are expected to lift in line with growth in the build programme, and construction is targeted to be under way at 12 sites by March 2020, up from eight a year ago.

Gordon MacLeod said Ryman was now moving into its biggest ever build programme on stunning sites.

Chairman Dr David Kerr said Ryman’s unique integrated villages and high-quality care continued to be in strong demand, with care occupancy in established villages running at 97%. Only 1.6% of the retirement village portfolio was available for resale at September 30.

“We have recently submitted our tenth development application in Victoria. Five development approvals have been granted already, and Ryman continues to target having five villages open in Victoria by the end of 2020 calendar year.

Gordon said Ryman had acquired two new sites – Highett in Victoria and Northwood in Christchurch taking the land bank to 7,074 units and beds.

Dr Kerr announced the board had been further strengthened with the appointment of Melbournebased director Paula Jeffs, a human resources executive.

“The 22 sites in our land bank, 10 of which already have development under way, represent the equivalent of 66% of our existing portfolio.’’

Dr Kerr said Ryman had now invested $4 billion in building communities and returned $860 million in dividends since listing in 1999.

Ryman is targeting a higher build rate of 900 units and beds this year to meet its financial aspirations of doubling underlying profit every five years and to create a tail of growing earnings.

A highlight of the half was the progress in Victoria, Gordon said, with a record 260 new sales, resales and care contracts in the first half.

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Pictured: At the half-year results Ryman Healthcare announced its acquisition of the Northwood site in Christchurch. This will be the 10th site in Christchurch including Charles Upham Retirement Village in Rangiora.

Canadian neurosurgeon wins 2019 Ryman Prize Dr Michael Fehlings won the 2019 Ryman Prize, in recognition of his long career dedicated to helping older people suffering from debilitating spinal problems.

Dr Fehlings was presented with the prize by the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, at a special ceremony in Auckland in October.

The annual Ryman Prize is a $250,000 international award for the best work carried out anywhere in the world that has enhanced quality of life for older people. It is the richest prize of its kind in the world.

The Toronto neurosurgeon was chosen from a strong field of contenders for the 2019 prize by an international jury.

The jury singled Dr Fehlings out for his pioneering work for older people suffering from degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), a degenerative neck compression problem which is the most common form of injury to the spinal cord.

“I think it is a real boost to people who are working hard to improve the wellbeing of older people.”

“Dr Michael Fehlings is a neurosurgeon, a researcher and a teacher, who has had an amazing impact on patients with degenerative spinal conditions. He has dedicated his long career to their care and to research into alternative ways of treating debilitating problems, which can have a profoundly negative impact on the lives of older people,” Prime Minister Ardern said.

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“There can be no doubt that his research and his teaching has made a difference in improving the quality of life for many and I want to personally congratulate Professor Fehlings for that.”

The Prime Minister also thanked the Board of Ryman for establishing the Ryman Prize.

“It supports some of the world’s most important innovations, research and initiatives that are literally changing people’s lives,” she said.

“I think it is a real boost to people who are working hard to improve the wellbeing of older people.”

DCM symptoms generally begin in patients over 50 and the condition is estimated to affect one in 10 people. Little is known about how best to manage the

condition, and its symptoms are often mistaken for other problems.

Patients report neurological symptoms such as pain and numbness in limbs, poor coordination, imbalance and bladder problems resulting in loss of independence and in many cases, confinement to a wheelchair.

As well as working on treatment and management of DCM, Dr Fehlings has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition within the medical profession.

“It’s a great honour for me to receive the Ryman Prize. It recognises my team’s translational research to enhance the care of individuals with degenerative cervical myelopathy, the most common cause of spinal cord impairment in adults worldwide,” Dr Fehlings said.

“I wish to recognise my colleagues, students, mentors, patients as well as my supporters and family.”

• Dr Naoko Muramatsu, health and ageing research specialist, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr Fehlings is Co-Director of the Spinal Program and a Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto and a Clinician-Scientist in the Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital.

• Professor Erwin Neher, Nobel Laureate and Professor at the University of Göttingen, Germany. Dr Neher is a biophysicist who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1991.

The Ryman Prize jury includes:

• Dr David Kerr, Ryman Healthcare Chairman, Fellow and Past President of the New Zealand Medical Association, Fellow with Distinction of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

• Professor Brian Draper, Conjoint Professor in the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales.

• Professor Sarah Harper CBE, Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

• Professor Tim Wilkinson, consulting geriatrician and Associate Dean of Medical Education, Otago School of Medicine.

Pictured: Dr Michael Fehlings won the 2019 Ryman Prize for his dedication to help older people with spinal problems.

About the Ryman Prize The Ryman Prize is administered by the Ryman Foundation.

The annual prize consists of a $250,000 grant, which is awarded by an international jury for the best invention, idea, research concept or initiative that has enhanced quality of life for older people.

Gabi Hollows set up the charity with her late husband Professor Fred Hollows, and together they worked tirelessly to tackle the problem of preventable blindness in the developing world.

It is the world’s richest prize of its type and was established to create the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for people working in the field of the health of older people.

The 2016 prize was won by Professor Henry Brodaty.

Professor Brodaty is a pioneer in diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia and his influence has been felt around the world.

The prize was launched in 2015 and the inaugural prize was won by Gabi Hollows, the founding director of The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The 2017 Ryman Prize was won by Professor Peter St George-Hyslop, a geneticist and researcher based at Cambridge and the

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University of Toronto. Peter has spent 30 years researching neuro-degenerative diseases, focusing on discovering the key genes and proteins that cause cells to degenerate in diseases such as early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Takanori Shibata won the 2018 Ryman Prize for his tenacity in pursing new technology to help ease the burden of older people suffering from dementia.

Professor Shibata pioneered the use of robots and artificial intelligence to create a drug-free therapeutic device for dementia patients.

Lots of interest in Lincoln Road

The two public meetings were held at the Henderson Bowls Club to tell people all about how Ryman’s offering differed from others.

Ryman’s Chief Financial Officer, David Bennett, told the audience all about the history of the company, how it has won the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand award five times and how it supports the arts, various community groups and charities and is doing its bit for the environment with the introduction of electric vehicles in its fleet.

After sharing she has now worked for Ryman for more than half of her life, Chief Sales and Marketing

Officer, Debbie McClure, talked about what life in the village had to offer, including enjoying the many amenities and beautiful surroundings and sampling the huge range of activities that residents could get involved with.

“Work is well under way on site with the piles going in and the first residents are looking forward to moving in mid-2020.”

Debbie also told the audience some of the all-important dates and dollars. Two-bedroom apartments are priced between $690,000 $850,000 and three-bedrooms are $850,000 - $900,000 with a weekly fee of $129 per week which includes rates, exterior maintenance, window cleaning and lawn maintenance.

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Serviced apartments will start selling from $500,000 with a weekly fee of $349, which includes rates, building insurance, exterior maintenance, the main meal each day, morning and afternoon tea, housekeeping and the option to add on extra meals and care services if you wish.

Debbie said people were always amazed that the weekly fee remained fixed for life* and ceased the day the property was vacated.

“They often come up to me afterwards and say they think they misheard or there must be some catch, but it really is fixed for life. That’s a real favourite for our residents,” Debbie said.

“We also offer the full continuum of care, a 90-day money back guarantee and our contracts are fair and easy to understand.”

*Some conditions apply.

More than 150 people turned up to hear why Ryman Healthcare’s newest village on Lincoln Road could be the best choice for retirement living in west Auckland.

She then introduced Peter and Julie Windram, who live at Ryman’s Bert Sutcliffe village in Birkenhead and asked them to say what they enjoyed about village life.

“Our residents often exult about the care they receive from our caregivers and that’s something that we take a lot of pride in,” he said.

“We look for the kindest people.”

“I just can’t say how wonderful it is,” said Julie.

“In the 18 months we have lived there, we have made fantastic friends, the staff are great – everyone is so helpful – and Ryman is a wonderful company.

“If you are married, move in while you have got each other. If you’re not married, move in anyway!”

Julie added, prompting a big laugh.

David returned to talk in detail about Ryman’s care offering stating that out of all the retirement operators, Ryman had the highest number of villages with a four-year certification – the gold standard in the auditing process.

“We saw the apartment and fell in love straightaway.

We decided to buy it that night!”

“The village centre is expected around mid-2021 and that is when we will welcome our first aged care residents.”

Finally, before inviting the audience to ask questions, Debbie asked the audience to leave their suggestions for great local personalities to name the village after.

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“We name all our villages after people who are respected and who often have made significant contributions either locally or to the larger area, so we’d love to hear your suggestions.”

Audience questions were focused on parking, dementia care, keeping pets, having visitors stay and air conditioning.

Pictured: Chief Financial Officer David Bennett speaking at the public meetings in west Auckland.

Bev’s new life begins beside the river As the first resident to move into the first apartment block to open at Linda Jones Retirement Village, Bev Morris is excited about the new life ahead of her.

While she is a pioneer of apartment living at Linda Jones, there are already 50 or so townhouse residents who can help her settle in.

Bev was greeted at her new home

by Regional Operations Manager Arthur Keane, Acting Village Manager Murray Bain, Activities Coordinator Ann-Maree Vincent, Sales Advisor David de Veth and Porter Owen Duncan and was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a platter of wonderful food.

“I knew a lot of people liked Hilda Ross so when I heard this one was coming, I thought ‘if that’s Ryman I will be happy’.”

“We bought a paddock in the Kaimais and lived in a 10ft caravan while we built the shed and then we lived in the shed while we built our house. We literally built it ourselves.”

Sure enough, it was, and Bev immediately set about doing the numbers to see if her furniture would fit.

Bev, who has now been a widow for 10 years, was not only handy with houses, she was green-fingered too.

“When I saw the plans with the measurements, I measured what I had at home and thought it should be about the same,” she said.

“I did all the gardens for my daughters out at the farm before it got too much with my osteoarthritis and various aches and pains.

“So far so good!”

Bev was born in Te Awamutu but has lived all over the place, including Wellsford and Waipu for 20 years.

She said she was chuffed to get the only one-bedroom apartment in the block and would enjoy its sunny northern aspect looking up the slope towards the village centre.

She then married Gary and moved back to the Waikato living on different farms before ending up on Waiheke Island where they built their own house.

Bev said the fact the village was a Ryman village was what attracted her to it in the first place.

It was Gary’s ill health that prompted a move ‘back to the mainland’.

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“So, when this village came online I thought; ‘That’s it, I’m retiring!’” she laughed.

Asked what she is looking forward to the most about village life, it boils down quite simply.

“I’m looking forward to just doing general activities really, within a community.”

Pictured: Bev Morris and Activities Coordinator Ann-Maree Vincent.

Ryman behind the wheel of new stroke van The latest driver in stroke prevention has hit the streets of Melbourne, delivering a roadside inspection with a difference – free blood pressure checks.

The Ryman Healthcare Blood Pressure van was launched at Nellie Melba Retirement Village in Wheelers Hill during October, coinciding with World Stroke Day. The BP van will offer free five-minute health checks at venues including shopping centres, public events, and workplaces in support of the Stroke Foundation Australia’s Biggest Blood Pressure Check campaign.

To mark the launch, Melbourne Radio personality Denis Walter broadcast his afternoon show live from the village centre.

Denis had his own blood pressure checked in the van before hitting the airwaves, where he interviewed stroke survivor Kevin English.

Ryman Healthcare Community Relations Team Leader for Victoria Denise Thompson said Ryman was excited to team

up with Stroke Foundation to get the BP van on the road.

country’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability,” John said.

“We’re a company that puts care at the heart of everything we do, so supporting the Stroke Foundation’s fight against stroke was an easy decision for us,” Denise said.

“High blood pressure is the main risk factor for stroke, but it can be managed through medication and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

“This van will save lives, there’s no doubt about it.”

“Ryman already funds a BP van in New Zealand, so knows the positive impact it can have in empowering people to understand their stroke risk and take steps to manage it. This van will save lives, there’s no doubt about it.”

Stroke Foundation Executive Director Marketing John De Rango said mobile health checks were another way of reaching people in different parts of the community and raising awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure.

“The difficulty we face is high blood pressure often goes unnoticed because it has no immediate symptoms. That is why having a regular health check is so important.”

He said the foundation hoped the BP van would help thousands of Victorians to reduce their risk of stroke.

The BP van health checks will include a stroke and Type 2 diabetes risk assessment.

Following the check participants are emailed their personal results and relevant health recommendations, including advice to see their doctor if necessary.

Pictured: Nellie Melba resident

“Stroke is a devasting disease that strikes the brain – the human control centre. It is one of this

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Rosa Mendoza was one of the first to get tested in the new Blood Pressure van.

Ryman riders pretty in pink A record-breaking group of 42 Ryman riders took on the annual McLeans Island six-hour mountain bike relay in Christchurch, raising $1,500 for the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Ryman Healthcare has been competing in the event for the past nine years, with participant numbers growing every year.

The Ryman riders were divided into 12 teams wearing distinctive pink tops sponsored by specialist hardware supplier Sopersmac.

They made a colourful sight as they burned up the track, completing a combined total distance of more than 1,400 kms on the day.

The fastest Ryman team was Old & Broken comprising

of Craig Buist, Jo Forbes and Rob Harrow.

“Our team really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Ryman tent and the event overall, everyone did so well and for a good cause,” said Jo.

“Our team really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Ryman tent and the event overall, everyone did so well and for a good cause.”

“The weather was perfect and having only three in our team meant that the laps came around quickly, so it wasn’t enough time to cool down.

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“Our team aim was to have fun, not to crash or be hampered by technical issues and winning was a wee bonus quietly helped by having a ring-in (her husband Rob) on his ‘speed steed’.”

Event organiser Craig thanked everyone for coming on the day especially the supporters who cooked the sausages and burgers and looked after the riders’ welfare.

“Next year we will be recruiting early and we’ll be back, bigger and faster than ever.”

The teams also thanked Bidfood for the best burgers on the course.

Pictured: The 42 Ryman staff members had a wonderful day at the McLeans Island mountain bike relay race.

Apprentices on the books Ryman’s burgeoning carpentry apprentice scheme has received a real boost with three members of the same family signing up for the Ryman Academy.

After working in construction for many years in his native South Africa and later in New Zealand, Murray Halberg Retirement Village Foreman Adrian Wiggill is formalising his skills to gain a New Zealand qualification through the Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) process.

Meanwhile his two sons; Ozzy (17) and Winston (16) have swapped lessons in school for learning on site, which is like a dream come true for proud dad Adrian.

“I don’t think I could have asked for anything better than being able to study with my kids,” he said.

“My biggest priority in life is getting them trade qualified. Once they get that accomplished that’s my job done!”

For the boys, signing up for the Ryman apprenticeship scheme means Ryman contributes to their course fees with Building and

Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and training provider Manukau Institute of Training (MIT). They also get an interest-free loan to buy tools, and there is now an experienced go-to person within Ryman to guide them through their apprenticeship.

That person is Construction Trainer Tim Reid, who has recently joined Ryman. Tim has extensive industry training experience and says the key part of his role is to be a mentor to the 22 apprentices who have signed up so far, 11 of them at Linda Jones village in Hamilton, four at William Sanders village and the rest at Murray Halberg in Auckland.

Lance Fletcher, ‘Tee’ Rakena and Blake Smith make up the current Ryman apprentice team at Murray Halberg.

“I aim to be on site every three weeks, and I have an open-door policy so they can come and see me about any issues that they might have,” Tim says.

“I’ll also do a bit of training with them, so for example, we might

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commandeer an apartment and do some door hanging or anything else to assist in increasing their skill level.”

Tim will also liaise with the relevant foreman on site to check that the apprentices have demonstrated the necessary skills while also being the point of contact for their relevant training programme assessors.

“The key is to get them covering the full scope of carpentry work, and to get them qualified. We want them to be able to meet the expected Ryman standard, while emphasising our huge focus on health and safety at the same time.

“These apprentices here are potentially our next Adrians and hopefully they will be the catalyst for our next round of apprentices – we’re already getting a lot of interest from other people on all our sites.”

Pictured from left: Winston Wiggill (Apprentice), Tim Reid (Construction Trainer), 'Tee' Rakena (Apprentice), Adrian Wiggill (Foreman), Ozzy Wiggill (Apprentice) and Lance Fletcher (Apprentice).

Pat’s powerful mammogram message Possum Bourne Retirement Village’s Pat Mravicich had a powerful message for her fellow residents following the Breast Cancer Foundation’s talk held at the village recently: get yourselves checked!

There was a note of urgency to Pat’s message, with the date of her own double mastectomy operation being just days away at the time.

A routine mammogram had revealed some unusual calcification in her right breast and after a whirlwind of daily doctor’s appointments for tests, further investigations and a biopsy, a mass of calcification and a sizeable tumour in the milk duct were identified.

“I have continued with my mammograms and I have been vigilant about it since my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago when she was only 35,” Pat told the 40 residents.

“To look at the breast there was no difference, no discolouration, none of

that could be found or felt.

The doctor said there was no indication, it was only the mammogram that revealed it.”

Pat said her own cancer journey was nothing compared to seeing her daughter, a solo mum of three young children, go through her ordeal.

Pat says that she doesn’t require any further treatment and that all cancerous cells were captured.

She encourages everyone to get a mammogram.

Breast Cancer Foundation Educator Debra Leutenegger told residents the Foundation was trying to petition the Government to extend the screening age to 74.

“The risk is actually higher at 70 than 50,” Debra said.

The Foundation, which is Ryman’s charity partner of 2019/2020, also fundraises for research, offers support to breast cancer patients and their families, and provides education and

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awareness in all areas of society to try to save lives with early education.

Pictured from left: Resident Pat Mravicich, Breast Cancer Foundation Educator Debra Leutenegger and resident Maureen Wheeler.

Our charity partner of the year We are supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation in New Zealand and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Australia.

If you would like to know more about the foundations or to find out how to check for any potential signs of breast cancer, please visit: New Zealand breastcancerfoundation.org.nz Australia nationalbreastcancer.org

Anne appreciates the personal touch While Ryman prides itself on its staff to resident ratio, for Anne Hopkins (pictured), the first serviced apartment resident to move into the care centre at Murray Halberg Retirement Village, it was 10:1.

village and was never going to buy off a plan!” she laughs.

And that’s 10 staff to one resident, not the other way around like you might expect!

“I watched my two nephews look after first their dad and then their mum, my sister, before she passed away two years ago, and I didn’t really want them to feel responsible for me.

“It’s been marvellous!” says Anne.

“The staff have been exceptional and I have enjoyed getting to know them and learning their names.

Even the construction guys give me a smile and a wave!

“Right from the moment I moved in, I have felt at home. The hardest thing has been remembering that everything is taken care of now!”

A few years ago, this would have been the last place Anne expected she would be.

“I was one of those people who was never going to go into a retirement

“My husband and I hadn’t had children so when he passed away, I always had in the forefront of my mind to take care of myself.

“They had to find a resthome for her and that reinforced it for me, after watching what the boys had to go through.”

Anne’s house in Avondale was down a steep right of way which, due to having two knee replacements, she could go up but couldn’t walk down.

After seeing an ad about Ryman’s newest village in Lynfield, she got in touch with Angela, the sales advisor.

“Everything has just fallen into place, and that tells me that it was meant to be,” she says.

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Since then, Anne has discovered things that have confirmed to her that she made the right move.

One of the ladies who she volunteers with at the Mercy Hospice shops in Mt Roskill and Royal Oak is also a resident at Murray Halberg, and another resident turned out to be a dear ex-colleague from her days working at Foodstuffs.

As well as the security and knowing other care options are right there on site should she need them, a big factor for Anne was the village’s location, which is nearer to the Mercy Hospice shops where she has been a volunteer for 26 years.

And while she is enjoying establishing her new routines she is happy to go with the flow and see how life unfolds.

“I’m just taking each day as it comes, but if there was one thing I’m looking forward to, it’s inviting my family to the events here, it will be nice to do that for them and take them up to the café when they visit me. That will be really nice,” she says with a smile.

Ryman's marathon effort The City of Sails turned on a magnificent sunny day for Ryman Healthcare’s inaugural sponsorship of the Auckland Marathon.

Ryman’s backing involved supporting the 700-odd volunteers who could be seen all around the race course kitted out in bright orange t-shirts with ‘Ryman Volunteer Crew’ emblazoned on the back.

It also meant that a group of keen residents from Edmund Hillary Retirement Village were offered free entry for the 5km walk.

Residents Richard Still and Donal Miller shook hands at the end of their walk when they received their medals.

“They said we were crazy to do it!” laughed Richard. “So, I need to get a photo of us underneath the finish line to prove to them that we finished it.”

“Not bad for 84!” he added.

The group then enjoyed a fruit smoothie mixed up on the special bike-powered blenders provided by Cycle Blend back at the Ryman tent.

Dotted throughout the course were a cheer squad comprised of residents from Edmund Hillary and Bert Sutcliffe villages. They were decked out in t-shirts, pom poms and placards with supportive slogans.

Joining them were Regional Operations Manager Lynn Charlton and Community Relations Advisor Steph Cawte who said it had been great fun cheering the runners on.

“The residents really got into the spirit of the occasion and gave it their all." said Steph.

“The runners loved it and often responded with a smile. Quite a few even stopped for selfies with us and

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said what a great boost the cheer squad had given them.”

The finish line was a sea of orange t-shirts with Ryman helpers dishing out bananas, Powerade and medals to the almost 15,000 competitors.

Ryman Sponsorship Executive Bree Jones said it was a great success.

“The partnership has allowed more meaningful engagement between Ryman and this incredible community event and getting our residents involved was a really important part in achieving that.”

Pictured captions 1-4 clockwise: 1: Residents Victor Murray and Joan Swift.

2: Rymanians Molly Steel, Lea Sullivan and Bree Jones.

3: Resident Doug Gibbon.

4: Ryman volunteers on the Cycle Blend at the Ryman tent.

Royal endorsement for Rebecca’s new charity

Kiwi singer Rebecca Nelson has secured a royal stamp of approval from Prince Charles for her newest project — an album to promote her charity aimed at providing support and respite for first responders and NZ Defence Force personnel.

The classical crossover singer, who regularly performs in Ryman villages, saw there was a need for help for Kiwi

military and emergency workers after seeing the positive work enabled by British charity Help for Heroes.

She is now launching a new album, made with the backing of Ryman Healthcare, to start raising money and awareness for Te Kiwi Māia, or the Courageous Kiwi Charitable Trust. Ryman Chief Executive Gordy MacLeod said: “We are delighted to be able to support Rebecca to make this album.

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“We’re in good company – we were pleased to see the Prince of Wales is supporting it also. Rebecca’s a talented artist and it is for a good cause – we wish her all the best with it.’’

Reverence was recorded using the music of the Band of the Welsh Guards and features vocals from artists ranging from Sol3 Mio’s Moses McKay to the RNZN Māori Culture Group.

Great kiwi runners inspire block names After naming its Lynfield village after one of New Zealand’s great athletes, Murray Halberg, Ryman has now turned to Murray’s fellow runners to inspire the naming of each individual block on the site.

One of the first independent apartment blocks will be named after Barry Magee, who won a bronze medal in the marathon at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

Barry also lives in the village with his wife Heather after they shifted from their home in Mt Roskill.

“I thank Ryman for the honour. In this life nothing can be taken for granted so I count my blessings every day,” Barry said.

Another independent block is set to be named after a fellow Olympic bronze medallist, John Davies.

John, who sadly passed away in 2003 aged 65, won a bronze in the 1500 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal in the one-mile event at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth.

John’s widow, Patsy, said it was a real surprise when Ryman contacted her.

Osaka International Ladies marathon three times in 1986, 1987 and 1989.

“I thought it was fabulous and would help ensure that part of New Zealand’s history would continue to live on,” Patsy said.

Lorraine also has a connection to another Ryman namesake – Nellie Melba in Melbourne.

“I thank Ryman for the honour. In this life nothing can be taken for granted so I count my blessings every day,” “I’m sure John would have been delighted – he would probably be thinking he could get everyone out training!”

Olympic marathon bronze medallist Lorraine Moller’s name will also grace the wall of a Ryman apartment block.

Her long list of achievements includes a silver medal in the marathon at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, completing the marathon at 1984, 1988 and 1996 Olympic Games and winning the 1984 Boston marathon, and the

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“Dame Nellie Melba is my great grandmother’s cousin,” she said, adding “I did not inherit her singing ability, but I don’t think she was much of a runner either!”

Sir John Walker has also been added to the list of inspiring names.

Another middle-distance star, John won the 1500m event at the 1976 Olympics and was also the first person to run the mile under three minutes 50 seconds.

He has recently retired from his role in local government as an Auckland councillor and representing the Manurewa-Papakura ward.

Pictured: Residents Barry and Heather Magee.

Sam Neill wins Ryman-backed award Hollywood stars including Nicole Kidman, Bryan Brown, Susan Sarandon, Laura Dern and Taika Waititi all paid tribute to Sam Neill as he accepted his Ryman Healthcare Equity Lifetime Achievement Award.

About 200 guests including 20 Ryman residents and staff, were at the ASB Waterfront Theatre at Wynyard Quarter in Auckland for Sam’s tribute night.

The acting legend received the award for his 50-year career which has included 82 films and 45 television shows.

Sam thanked Ryman Healthcare for the award and for being a strong supporter of the arts in New Zealand.

“I am blown away by this award, I am honoured, particularly because it comes from my peers, from my fellow actors, and that means so much to me.’’

Sam said he was proud to be an actor, because actors were empathetic. Actors reflected humanity in the roles they played.

They were also – no matter how well they did – crippled with self-doubt and always asked themselves – ‘am I really any good?’

Video tributes from Hollywood A listers and Sam Neill fans were played and there was also live entertainment from dedicated fan Tim Finn and his children.

Susan Sarandon said Sam was a joy to work with - humble, inventive, and lovely.

“You were part of the two happiest marriages I have ever been in,’’ Susan said.

Laura Dern, who starred with Sam in Jurassic Park, said no-one worked harder and was more professional than Sam.

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“And you’re a bad ass,’’ she said.

Taika Waititi said he was incredibly proud of Sam, and also took some credit.

“I plucked you from obscurity to star in a low budget film with me for basically nothing. I made your career.”

Equity president Jennifer WardLealand said the award would not be possible without Ryman’s support.

Ryman has supported the award since its inception five years ago.

Previous winners are George Henare, Ken Blackburn, Elizabeth McRae and Dame Kate Harcourt.

Pictured: Corporate Affairs Manager David King, Sam Neill and Equity NZ President Jennifer Ward-Lealand. The sheep was a special guest in honour of Sam's commitment to farming.

Kiri Te Kanawa team wins at aged care awards Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village has received recognition for its innovative and collaborative initiative to provide a better qualified workforce for the growing ageing population.

Last year, 18 caregivers graduated in the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, Advanced Support Level 4. This year the village won the prestigious ARO Training and Staff Development Award at the New Zealand Aged Care Association, Healthcare Excellence in Care awards held in Wellington in October.

The award recognises exceptional training and staff development within the aged care industry, to raise the standards of client focused quality care.

The independent panel of judges consider how creative and innovative staff training and development can provide an example to other aged care organisations, and how that training has increased the skill of the staff and directly impacted on the quality of care the residents and their families receive.

Kiri Te Kanawa Village Manager Neville Parkinson and Caregiver Phoebie Wesche accepted the award at a dinner held at Te Papa.

Neville said the course was a collaboration in health, education and aged care, between Kiri Te Kanawa village, Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and Hauora Tairāwhiti.

They teamed up to develop a way to recognise the experience, knowledge and leadership of the Gisborne village’s senior caregivers and the idea proved popular with the team.

EIT adjusted the course to allow the students to do classroom work once a week and complete their practical work on-site in the village, and the fees were paid by the Māori Training Fund administered by Hauora Tairāwhiti.

“It was a big achievement for me to get Level 3 and it made me want to continue to Level 4 and – maybe become a nurse one day!”

The fund’s purpose is to increase the Māori health workforce and give them opportunities to partake in studies.

“The purpose of the training was to have qualified staff, recognised for what they know in practice, who can further contribute to the wellbeing of our residents. It will produce better outcomes for Māori in the community as well as better outcomes for our staff, and in turn our residents.”

Besides the academic skills, the students develop responsibility and leadership skills, and most importantly the ability to work as a team.

From a Māori perspective they learnt cultural safety and where

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and why the programme was developed. The language and values are threaded throughout the programme.

Phoebie, the youngest of the group, told the audience of her journey as a young teenage mother who left school with no academic qualifications.

“I thought, why not upskill and further my education and have better outcomes. It was a bit scary at first; like going back to school again. But I had support from the other students.”

“I couldn’t have done it by myself.

It felt good to succeed.

“It was a big achievement for me to get Level 3 and it made me want to continue to Level 4 and – maybe become a nurse one day!

“I like what I am doing, I know I can do it and I’m doing it for myself!”

The collaboration and the support the students had for each other was also a vital part of the programme.

They shared their skills and encouraged one another to achieve their goal.

In the close-knit community these students are understanding the needs of their people.

Pictured: Kiri Te Kanawa Caregiver Phoebie Wesche and Village Manager Neville Parkinson attended the event.

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Karori residents updated on campus plans A successful open day saw the Karori community turn up to learn more about Ryman’s updated plans for the former Wellington Teachers’ College campus.

The campus is known for its Brutalist architecture and Ryman has been developing the village design to ensure heritage features on the site were retained as much as possible.

Initial designs for the future retirement village aimed to retain a number of the college buildings, known as the ‘quad buildings’.

In order to see if the buildings were viable, Ryman asked structural engineering firms, Mitchell Vranjes and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger to undertake a rigorous investigation specifically looking at the structural integrity of the buildings.

Based on the advice of the engineering experts, Ryman will retain three buildings, including the

Allen Ward VC Hall, the Tennant Block and the Oldershaw musical Octagon, in the design for the village.

“It is a nice quirk that the site built for the education of the baby boomers in the 60s is now being converted into a different use for them in the next phase of the site’s history,” These three buildings can be safely upgraded without materially compromising heritage values. This means the public view of the buildings from Donald Street will not change.

However, experts concluded that two other buildings – the Waghorn and Gray buildings – cannot practically and safely be upgraded for future residents and staff.

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Any attempts to retrofit would also expose construction workers to an unacceptable risk.

“We made every effort to keep the Waghorn and Gray buildings, but Ryman is not prepared to put residents or staff at risk,” said Gordon MacLeod.

Gordon also said that Ryman acknowledges the historic value the campus holds and has been working with heritage specialist DPA Architects to formulate designs for the new village.

“It is a nice quirk that the site built for the education of the baby boomers in the 60s is now being converted into a different use for them in the next phase of the site’s history,” said Gordon.

Pictured: An artist impression of the new village in Karori.