Billy’s Beacon
William Sanders Retirement Village
•
Summer edition 2018
It’s official! Our village has been named after New Zealand naval hero William Sanders
Construction update
Scam Savvy presentation
Meet Pat
Greetings from Devonport... Hello and welcome to our first Billy’s Beacon newsletter. Our village has been named! In October we held an event to officially reveal William Sanders Retirement Village. We are so pleased to be named after New Zealand’s most highly decorated naval officer. You can read more about this on page 3. Our Ryman construction team is going full steam ahead with one underground carpark complete and a second one for the village centre taking shape. The village is also buzzing with two cranes in place and buildings ‘popping out’ of the ground. We are also looking forward to the completion of the first block of 53 apartments and we share the excitement with the residents that will be moving in as the time nears. It is truly a sight to behold to see the progress of the village on a day to day basis. During the last few months, we have got to know a lot of you at our many events, including
our wonderful mid-winter Christmas afternoon tea and Scam Savvy presentation. We have more events coming up before Christmas so please keep an eye out for your invitations in the post. We hope to see you soon. If you would like to know more about village life, please come and visit us at the sales office for a cup of coffee and more information about our wonderful village. Kind regards,
Mark Cooper Sales Advisor 09 445 0909
Quiz time! We have developed a lovely relationship with the Stanley Point Bowling Club. We sponsor tournaments and support the club with pamphlet printing and pads and pens for the monthly quiz night. Janet is no brain box (self proclaimed) but enjoys the opportunity to mix and mingle with club members and form new friendships. She has been known to get the odd question right but needs to brush up on her general knowledge! Mark and Janet
Billy’s Beacon | 2
J Janet Coutts Sales Advisor 09 445 0909
Naval hero honoured at Devonport Our village has officially been named in honour of New Zealand’s most highly decorated naval hero – William Sanders. William, the only New Zealander to be awarded a Victoria Cross in a naval battle, died after his ship, the HMS Prize, was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917. He was 34 years old. Described as a man of iron nerves, William was awarded the Victoria Cross for his ‘’conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness and skill in command’’ while in action.
there was a great heaviness of heart – a sadness about his loss that was always there for her. “He gave his life in the war and she always said we should respect that. I think she would have wanted to see his name respected in this way.’’ Royal New Zealand Navy historian Michael Wynd gave more insight into the battles William Sanders fought in. “William Sanders remains the most highly decorated naval officer in our history,’’ he said. “He is also a model of bravery and leadership that we still use today for our sailors to aspire to.’’
William was also awarded a posthumous Distinguished Service Order.
Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said it was an honour to name the village after such a significant hero.
In Ryman tradition, villages are named after significant local people and William Sanders was suggested as an appropriate name by Devonport residents. The name was unveiled at a special event in early October, attended by members of the extended Sanders family, the Royal New Zealand Navy as well as Ryman residents and staff.
“William was an extraordinarily brave New Zealander and we’re pleased to be able to honour his name in this way.’’ Cover image: Gordon MacLeod and future resident Judy McGrath.
Eric Welch, William’s great nephew, said it was a great honour for the family.
Pictured: Able Musician Rebecca Nelson, RNZN, wowed the crowd with her singing.
“It would mean a lot to my grandmother. William was her brother and she talked about him a lot –
Inset: William Sanders official portrait on being awarded the Victoria Cross.
Billy’s Beacon | 3
An update from our construction team Progress at the site has been great with the first independent block hitting the final floor in September, says Project Manager Matt Hutchinson.
“Having that second tower crane will allow us to do the heavy lifting for the village centre and will really speed things up on that stage.”
The number of workers on site has now bumped up to around 160 as other stages of the village get under way.
While the base was put in mid-September the rest of it was installed several days later and adds another landmark for Devonport!
Matt says the village centre ground works have well and truly started with retaining, piling and foundation work taking place over winter.
Matt said the team was also on the lookout for a worthy community project.
“The serviced apartment wing has also had the ground floor poured and the main structure is underway there too. This included forming the space for the swimming pool and spa pool so it’s exciting even at that stage to see it taking shape. “That was 160 cubic metres which means we had around 32 trucks through by lunchtime,” says Matt. But there was another pour shortly after that of around 30 cubic metres which was for something quite different.
“Because the village is being built using concrete and brick we’re looking for something to give our apprentice carpenters some weatherboard experience,” he says. “The ideal situation for us is to make something on site here and then transport it to its destination. “It could be for a kindy or daycare that needs a new playhouse, or maybe a scout group that needs a new hut. Maybe you know a ‘good sort’ family who could use a treat? Get in touch if you have any suggestions.”
“That was for the base of the second tower crane,” says Matt.
Billy’s Beacon | 4
Getting savvy on scams Devonport retirees proved they want to stay one step ahead of the scammers at a Scam Savvy session organised by Sales Advisors Mark Cooper and Janet Coutts. More than 50 people filled out the Harmony Hall in August to attend the presentation by Fraud Education Manager from the Commission for Financial Capability, Bronwyn Groot. Bronwyn was keen to stop anyone feeling bad if they had already fallen for a scam. “Too many people are quick to say ‘how could you be so stupid?’ when actually these scammers are very smart and are constantly coming up with more sophisticated ways to fool people,” she said. Bronwyn showed a clip from a Jimmy Kimmel talk show where a film crew went out on the street asking people for their passwords to see if they were ‘strong enough’. Unfortunately the passwords were readily offered up. “Even having a conversation with someone gives away a whole heap of information which can be used to get access to your bank accounts,” Bronwyn said.
“You need to stay on high alert when you’re online.” Scams come in numerous different forms, including charity scams, dating and romantic scams, lottery and competition scams, holiday scams, psychic and clairvoyant scams, ticketing scams and pyramid scams, to name just a few! With half the room owning a computer, phishing scams were a big one to look out for, she said. Hovering (but not clicking) your cursor over the return email address should indicate whether the sender was genuine or not. “If what comes up is a whole lot of strange letters and numbers you will know straightaway it’s a phishing email,” she said. To finish off, Bronwyn offered a few tips to help people stay safe against scammers. These included not using your full signature when signing for parcels, reducing your credit card limits, shredding papers including receipts before throwing them out, and never filling out surveys as the personal information could be on-sold.
Billy’s Beacon | 5
Resident Profile
Meet Pat
to leave the group or Devonport, which has been her home for 48 years. “Some of them have become lifelong friends and we also go to the pictures or dinners together and exchange books and recipes and things like that. “I really didn’t want to move out of the area and it had started to worry me because maintaining this place was becoming too much for me. “When I heard the Ryman village was going to be down here straightaway I thought that’s what I want, that’s where I’m going to go!” For one normally so surefooted, Pat confesses she actually got cold feet after first signing up, despite having the support of her three daughters and a cousin at Ryman’s Jane Mander village in Whangarei.
When I heard the Ryman village was going to be down here straightaway I thought that’s what I want. Pat McKay is a familiar face to many in Devonport who’ve seen her and 50-odd other walkers pounding the streets three times a week, rain or shine.
“I did, I changed my mind and cancelled the contract. But afterwards I thought to myself ‘what on earth am I doing?’ and I went back and signed another one, this time on the third floor!
Fitness-loving Pat started the Devonport Walkers group 31 years ago to ensure there was always someone to go walking with.
“The sales advisors Mark and Janet were so kind and helpful and were very understanding through the whole process.”
Since then it has become such a regular feature, cafe-goers know to avoid certain cafes at certain times on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays because there will be a huge group enjoying their end-of-walk coffee.
A big reason for choosing village life was knowing she didn’t want to be a burden on her daughters, having experienced that herself.
“It’s the companionship that we like. That coffee is just as important as the walking,” says Pat, who lost her husband of 60 years, Jim, four years ago. “We go in all weather, it doesn’t matter if it’s teeming down, we still go walking. “A lot of us have got slower but that doesn’t matter!” Pat is also involved with Rebus and 60s Up, but the walking group is her baby. When she heard Ryman was building a retirement village just down the road from her church she was thrilled because it meant she wouldn’t have
“I looked after my mother for a while when I had four young children and it was very hard, so I didn’t want that to happen to them. “I love them dearly but they have got their lives to live.” Now Pat, who is also a talented embroiderer, knows around 12 other people who are moving in and she is really looking forward to it. “I like that they have got a programme of activities, you can pop down and have a game of cards, or there might be a choir and I used to be in a choir. “I think I’m a people person, I just like to have people around.”
Billy’s Beacon | 6
RYMAN E H T
H E A LT H C A R E S E A S O
If you notice the Christmas decorations going up a bit earlier in our villages this year, it’s to celebrate our partnership with the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s season of The Nutcracker. We know our residents will enjoy being immersed in the whimsical story of the Nutcracker as our villages are transformed – think sugar plum fairies, gingerbread houses and toy soldiers. There will be a range of activities on offer – from appreciating Tchaikovsky’s beautiful
N OF
musical score, to having a go at making themed-decorations for display. The ballet will be touring throughout New Zealand, opening in Wellington on 31 October, and finishing in Auckland on 15 December.
Want to see a show near you? Contact Janet or Mark for exclusive Ryman discounts on tickets!
Billy’s Beacon | 7
Staff Profile
Meet Scott
A carpenter by trade, Scotty came to New Zealand for a change of scene armed with excellent health and safety qualifications. After a stint working on earthquake repairs in Christchurch, the 30-year-old joined Ryman Healthcare in 2016 on the Birkenhead site. Project Manager Matt Hutchinson was impressed by Scotty’s CV. He noticed the difference on site straightaway. “There was an immediate lift in the site’s abilities and performance in the health and safety area,” says Matt.
I always put my head down and work hard. As Health and Safety Officer on the construction site, Scott Redmond is used to making sure all the right boxes are ticked for compliance. Now there’s proof that Scott himself has ticked the right boxes for what it takes to be a great health and safety officer, having won the Ryman Construction Team Member of the Year Award. Scott, or Scotty as he is known, which is apt since he comes from Stranraer in Scotland, says he was ‘pretty chuffed’ to be nominated. “I just gie it laldy!” he laughs. “It’s a phrase in Scotland that means give it your all. “I always put my head down and work hard.”
“He’s also innovative. He has driven the introduction of Quipcheck into the onsite system. This is a phone app to help machine operators carry out plant and equipment checks on their machines on a daily basis. “This has simplified and streamlined this process.” Scotty says he sees himself as more of a coach than an enforcer on site. “I like to delegate tasks to empower the boys a bit, so they feel responsible for health and safety.” When asked what qualities he thinks are needed for the role, he says: “A knowledge of construction, always thinking ahead, and the communication needs to be thorough.” He also acknowledges that he’s had to soften his Scottish burr to help others understand him!
Upcoming events November
29
Christmas afternoon tea party
December
12
Christmas concert
7 Ngataringa Road, Devonport
09 445 0909 www.williamsandersvillage.co.nz