Bob Owens Retirement Village • Summer edition 2019
PaciďŹ c band performance A US Airforce group wow the crowd
Meet Ian
Celebrating International Month
The RAW Truth
Greetings from Brian... Hello and welcome to the summer edition of Bob’s Register. It has been a great 2019, full of memorable events bringing in fun, laughter and joy to residents, visitors and staff. I am excited to reflect on and share some of the highlights of the year that we have celebrated at the village. We started off with a bang with our annual Children’s Party, which was a delight for everyone involved. Last summer included our beach themed barbeque, Valentine’s Day and Easter celebrations. In April we held our Anzac Day service and later in May we celebrated Mother’s Day.
we celebrated International Month where we explored different cultures. Then we’ve had a tremendous forces band concert, loved our wellness week and celebrated Father’s Day. To top it off we will soon enjoy the Melbourne Cup and the New Zealand Trotting cup events. I wish you and your family a very festive season as we look forward to Christmas and New Year events and a fantastic year at the village in 2020. Kind regards,
Brian Bark Village Manager Ph: 07 579 3041
Winter saw us celebrate with a delicious mid-winter solstice dinner– the décor and food were superb! After catching our breath
A note from Jan... Can you believe I have been at the village for more than two years! It has been an amazing experience and I love making a difference in people’s lives. We have seen many new residents moving in and I am pleased to say that they are settling in well. We’ve also been very busy with events such as a fabulous Annah Stretton presentation. We’ve had a Vera Lynn tribute concert, talks by the Breast Cancer Foundation and the Neurological Foundation, a fabulous Lisa Lorell concert and we’ve enjoyed hosting community events. Remember if you belong to a club or group, we are always more than happy to host a meeting at the village and provide our generous hospitality. Pictured: Jan, Max and Annah Stretton.
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Jan Corbett Sales Advisor Ph: 07 579 2519
Village news
Forces entertain Our village was treated to an afternoon of entertainment by a very smart and talented American troupe of musicians. The United States Airforce Band of the Pacific, all the way from Hawaii, gave us a wonderful last performance before they left for home. They had played at a number of Ryman villages and the five-piece band ran through a selection of jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, country and pop favourites including Footloose by Kenny Loggins and Proud Mary by CCR which left the residents beaming with delight. The concert was very well attended by residents, family and friends, and was voted as one of our village highlights so far this year. Pictured: The band proved to be very popular with residents. Inset: The band vocalist put on a rousing performance.
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Independent resident profile
Meet Ian
at Bob Owens. Once a vacancy in the resthome came up, Ian was relieved to be closer to Beverley. Ian would spend all day with Beverley, and he got to know all the staff really well. The couple met in a remote village in Ethiopia. Ian, originally from Nottingham, England, had been an engineer for Rolls Royce working on jet engines before signing up for a stint with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) at 21. He was posted to Ethiopia to wire up the village with electric lights. He soon fell in love with Beverley, a young Kiwi nurse. Ian and Beverley were married in Nottingham before moving to Beverley’s home town of New Plymouth. Ian started what would be a 28-year career as a police officer. A few years later he specialised as a youth aid officer. Ian has also used his voice for good. As an Anglican lay minister and marriage celebrant he would often take services and deliver sermons so has many years of public speaking under his belt.
I like the staff, they’re always friendly and considerate... I am looked after well. Ian Snell is the first to admit that getting through the first year since his darling wife passed away has been tough. Beverley was diagnosed with vascular dementia and admitted to the special care unit
Ian says he works with staff, for example when they ask him to bless a room. “I like the staff, they’re always friendly and considerate. I’m looked after well but remain independant which is important to me.”
Celebrating International Month The independent and serviced apartment residents had a fantastic celebration for International Month tasting a variety of dishes from around the world, which included Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Tonga, Japan, Nepal and Thailand! Everyone enjoyed experiencing the amazing range of cultures
that were present there. Some tried dishes they had never tasted before, and they were delighted with the delectable flavours. A wonderful afternoon was enjoyed by all the residents. Pictured: Our staff representing their culture at the event.
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Village news
News from our care centre residents
News from serviced apartment residents
Sensory delight
Spring time fun
Our resthome residents love our pottery lessons once a month. This time round everyone got involved and some of the latent talents shown were spectacular. They could also paint the finished designs and take it to their rooms as a keep sake.
Our serviced apartment residents enjoyed a weekly walk around our beautiful gardens and in the afternoon they arranged their gorgeous flowers while chatting away and giving their best gardening tips. The fresh flowers were placed on the tables for everyone to enjoy!
Pictured: Resident Yvonne Scheuber shows off her clay creations.
Pictured: Beryl Brereton, Shirley Neeley, Ailsa Buchanan and Catherine Henry take time out.
Staff profile
Introducing Dina
Hello, my name is Dina Reid and I am an Activity and Lifestyle Assistant at Bob Owens.
I joined the Bob Owens team in 2016 and I work mostly in the hospital in the care centre.
I was born in South Africa and emigrated to the UK in 1982. More than a decade later, in 1999 I decided to emigrate to New Zealand.
It is a huge privilege to work at the village and be a part of the residents’ lives.
I have two sons, Alistair and Jonathan. Alistair is the eldest and he is a teacher, while Jonathan is self-employed – an investor. It is a huge privilege to work at the village and be a part of the residents’ lives.
I am also blessed with four grandchildren, Cassie (aged nine), Declan (aged five), and MacKenzie and Mikayla who are a year old.
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There is so much joy and happiness and it is such an honour to take care of them. I love coming to work and greeting all my residents.
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Village news
The RAW Truth We had a huge turnout at the village for a presentation by Annah Stretton. Annah is a well-known fashion designer and social entrepreneur who has been travelling to our villages, talking to residents about her charity RAW (Reclaim Another Woman). Annah also introduced Max to the residents to talk about how RAW has helped her turn her life around. To date, RAW has helped 35 women. The afternoon ended on a lighter note with some of the residents strutting the catwalk in a few of Annah’s beautiful dresses. Pictured: Sales Advisor Jan, Max and Annah.
Brian Bark Village Manager Ph: 07 579 3041 Call Brian for general enquiries, or information about resthome, hospital and dementia care.
Jan Corbett Sales Advisor Ph: 07 579 2519 Talk to Jan for information about independent apartments, townhouses or serviced apartments.
112 Carmichael Road, Bethlehem
bobowens.co.nz