Ryman Times NZ - SUMMER 2022

RYMAN TIMES

RYMAN HEALTHCARE NEW ZEALAND SUMMER 2022

Solid first half results for Ryman Healthcare Professor Perminder Sachdev takes top prize Alexander Hillary reveals why he feels ‘endlessly proud’ of Sir Ed Ryman Healthcare top again in quality service awards

A WORD FROM RICHARD

Kia ora and welcome to our latest edition of the Ryman Times.

As we head into the Christmas break it is a good time to reflect on the year that’s been and what we have achieved.

I think we can look back on 2022 as the year that the COVID-19 storm really broke, and I’m really proud of how the team at Ryman coped. As well as handling all of the challenges the pandemic threw at our village teams, we also kept our business-as-usual operations ticking along so we are set to cope with the demand we see ahead of us.

As you can see from our results announcement (page 4-5) there is a lot to be proud of, including significant progress on 15 sites in New Zealand and Australia, and another 12 in the landbank.

The result demonstrated that we are now an established Trans-Tasman business with a compelling proposition in both New Zealand and Australia.

It was a pleasure to meet our latest Ryman Prize winner Professor Perminder Sachdev (page 6-7), and to be able to thank him for all the work he has done for so many years to enhance quality of life for older people.

Professor Sachdev is the latest in a long line of winners of our unique international prize, which we set up back in 2015 to reward the best and brightest thinkers in the world for the work they do to improve life for older people.

Our residents were busy getting out and enhancing their own lives by smashing our Walking for Wellness challenge, walking a combined total of 43,104 kms.

We’ll be dreaming up a new challenge for residents next year, they’ve told us they are keen for a new challenge which is what they’ll get.

There’s plenty to look forward to in 2023 but, in the meantime, I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas break and thank you for your ongoing support of Ryman.

Kind regards,

Richard Umbers Group Chief Executive

Solid first half results 4

Perminder takes top prize

Aged Care Minister visits New Zealand

First residents at Kevin Hickman 9

Alexander Hillary says he feels ‘endlessly proud’ of Sir Ed

Karakia to launch Cambridge project 12

Diana Isaac wins aged advisor award for ‘Large south island village’

Keith Park construction site tour 14

Residents honour the Queen 16

Diana Isaac turns 10 20

Team Possum comes top in Walking for Wellness challenge

Ryman Healthcare top again in quality service awards

Ryman steps up as the ballet’s principal dance partner

Ryman lawn bowls challenge brings out the best in residents and staff

Front cover: Ryman Prize winner Perminder Sachdev with Jacinda Ardern and Richard Umbers.

Ryman Healthcare Ltd Airport Business Park 92 Russley Road, Christchurch PO Box 771, Christchurch 8042

0800 588 222 rymanhealthcare.co.nz

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The Ryman Times is a quarterly publication for shareholders. For editorial enquiries please contact ruthea.vanheerden@rymanhealthcare.com

SOLID FIRST HALF

Ryman Healthcare reported an unaudited first half underlying profit of $138.8 million, up 44.8% on the same period last year, driven by strong resales margins as well as continued strong growth in its Australian business.

The unaudited (IFRS) profit decreased 31.1% to $194.0m, reflecting lower unrealised fair value gains on investment property.

Shareholders will receive an interim dividend of 8.8 cents per share. The record date for entitlements is December 9, and the dividend will be paid on December 16, 2022.

Group Chief Executive Richard Umbers said the board had approved the establishment of a

RESULTS

dividend reinvestment plan, which would apply to the interim dividend.

“This reflects feedback from our shareholders and provides us with more flexibility to manage our balance sheet as part of our ongoing capital management,” Mr Umbers said.

“We are currently in a rapidly changing and uncertain macro-economic environment in both our markets, and the Board and management are mindful of the impact this is having on our business. We are therefore closely monitoring our cashflows and capital management.”

Participation in the dividend reinvestment plan is optional and investors can choose to reinvest their dividends into Ryman shares or continue receiving a cash dividend. An offer document and details on how to participate has been provided to shareholders.

In reflecting on the result, Mr Umbers said that it demonstrated Ryman was now an established trans-Tasman business, with a compelling proposition in both New Zealand and Australia.

He highlighted the increase in booked sales of occupation rights, which were up 9.8% on the first half of last year.

Ryman’s development programme continues to progress, with work under way on 10 sites in New Zealand and another five in Australia.

First half development highlights included commencing construction in Cambridge, New Zealand, and in Australia receiving planning approval for the Mulgrave site and completion of the Charles Brownlow and Raelene Boyle villages.

At Ryman’s results it was announced that George Savvides would be retiring from the board at the next annual meeting. On November 30 Chair Greg Campbell announced he had made the difficult decision to step down due to ongoing health issues.

Mr Campbell is disappointed he has been unable to continue to lead this important company.

Claire Higgins, a long-serving Board member of the Company has been appointed as interim Chair, and Anthony Leighs as Deputy Chair, pending a formal process to nominate a successor.

The board and team at Ryman would like to thank Greg for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.

Above: Group CFO David Bennett and Group Chief Executive Richard Umbers.

FIFTEEN NEW VILLAGES CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

Auckland

• Devonport, William Sanders

• Hobsonville, Keith Park

• Lincoln Road, Miriam Corban

• Lynfield, Murray Halberg

• Takapuna Waikato

• Cambridge Hamilton

•

• Havelock North, James Wattie Christchurch

• Riccarton Park, Kevin Hickman

• Northwood Melbourne

• Brandon Park, Nellie Melba

• Burwood East, John Flynn

• Highett

• Ringwood East Victoria

• Ocean Grove, Deborah Cheetham

TWELVE SITES IN THE LAND BANK:

Auckland

• Karaka

• Kohimarama Waikato

• Taupō Wellington

• Karori

• Newtown Canterbury

• Park Terrace

• Rolleston Melbourne

• Coburg North

• Essendon

• Kealba

• Mulgrave Victoria

• Mt Eliza

PERMINDER TAKES TOP PRIZE

The 2022 Ryman Prize winner hopes his success will lead to more resources being invested into old age research and fighting ageism.

The Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand announced on December 8 that Professor Perminder Sachdev was the eighth winner of the $250,000 Ryman Prize.

Professor Sachdev is a worldleading researcher, academic leader, teacher and clinician who has dedicated his long career to understanding the causes and treatment of psychiatric disorders including dementia.

The award recognises Professor Sachdev’s 35-year career, which began in New Zealand at Auckland’s Kingseat Psychiatric Hospital in the 1980s.

Reading his citation at an awards ceremony at Malvina Major village in Wellington, Prime Minister Ardern described Professor Sachdev as a deserving winner.

“Perminder Sachdev is an outstanding academic and clinician – and his work has had a profound impact around the world.

“His colleagues describe him as a superstar who has the ability to do the work of three people at once – and still be ahead of the curve to find where research should go next.’’

The Prime Minister said she enjoyed awarding the prize each year because it gave her a chance to learn about the latest research into the issues facing older New Zealanders.

“I value this as a prize that values older people so much.”

Richard Umbers congratulated Professor Sachdev on his fascinating insights into ageing.

Professor Sachdev dedicated his win to the staff and students at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at the University of New South Wales and the neuropsychiatric institute at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney.

“I humbly accept this prize on behalf of numerous colleagues and students and friends who have helped me along this journey. Foremost I thank my beautiful wife Jagdeep who has been a constant support and inspiration for all these years. She, like your prime minister, is a super woman.’’

“We’ve tackled sexism and racism – now’s the time to take on ageism. Recent research found that one in two people are ageist. We have to bring together govt civil society academia media and the private sector to improve the lives of older people. ’’

Pictured: Ryman Prize winner Perminder Sachdev with Jacinda Ardern and Richard Umbers.

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 to the best invention, idea, research concept or initiative that has enhanced quality of life for older people.

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 inaugural winner was the director of the Fred Hollows foundation Gabi Hollows in 2015, then Professor Henry Brodaty in 2016, a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia. In 2017 the award went to Professor Peter St George-Hyslop a geneticist and researcher and in 2018 it went to Japanese inventor and technologist Professor Takanori Shibata.

Canadian neurosurgeon

Dr Michael Fehlings was awarded the prize in 2019, Professor Miia Kivipelto, a Finnish academic and researcher, in 2020, and last year’s winner was geriatrician, researcher, academic and antiageism campaigner Professor Kenneth Rockwood.

AGED CARE MINISTER VISITS NEW ZEALAND

The Australian Federal Aged Care Minister is drawing on Ryman Healthcare’s decades of experience and expertise as she attempts to chart a path out of the crisis gripping the country’s aged care sector.

Anika Wells, who was appointed Aged Care Minister in the new Albanese Government in May, made a fact-finding visit to Ryman’s Murray Halberg village in Auckland. Minister Wells requested the tour after reading Ryman’s aged care policy discussion document, which outlines how the continuum of care model pioneered by Ryman in New Zealand could help address many of the challenges facing the aged care sector in Australia.

“I’m trying to learn about who does aged care well – it’s a bit of a global search to see who seeks a standard of excellence in aged care, and who is innovative – and Ryman were literally the top of the list,” Minister Wells said.

“A number of people had said to me, ‘You should go check out the continuum of care model,’ and it certainly dovetails with what I think people want.”

Continuum of care, whereby independent retirement living, and a full suite of aged care services are integrated into one village community, is commonplace in New Zealand but almost nonexistent in Australia.

Leading the Murray Halberg tour were Richard Umbers, NZ CEO Cheyne Chalmers, Regional Manager Karen Lake, and Village Manager Greg Barclay.

Minister Wells was joined by Australia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Harinder Sidu and Australian Consul General Brad Williams.

After being shown through an independent apartment, a serviced apartment, and the special care unit for residents living with dementia, the Minster said she was impressed.

“I think I need to go see how [the continuum of care model] works in the Australian setting, but basically you do it really well.

“There’s an excellent standard of care. The people who live here are happy and fulfilled and have meaning in their day-to-day lives, and the people who love them can have a sense of confidence that their mum or their dad is being looked after and no matter what happens to them, there’s a place for them, which I love.”

Pictured (from left): Karen Lake, Victorian Communications, External Relations Manager Michael Cummings, Richard Umbers, Anika Wells, Greg Barclay, Cheyne Chalmers, Australia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Harinder Sidu, and Australian Consul General Brad Williams.

FIRST RESIDENTS AT KEVIN HICKMAN

Tom Dooley is one of a handful of Kevin Hickman Retirement Village residents who are the first ‘move-ins’ to the first apartments, and he is very happy to be just down the road from his old family home in Christchurch.

“I didn’t really shift out of the area, I just moved across the road,” he says of the new one-bedroom apartment on the third floor that has stunning views of the mountains and late melting snow.

On Tom’s side of the building, you get views of the Southern Alps and a sense of space, then on the other side of the third-floor corridor you get views out on to Riccarton Racecourse and the chute that leads into the famous Canterbury track.

Tom says a big factor in the move was the death of his wife Jackie, who passed nearly two years ago. The couple had lived in their Geraldo Place house for 41 years, bringing up their children Steven and Karen, and were already considering a move.

Tom, accompanied by Karen, was the first apartment block movein on his floor, and he’s started welcoming new neighbours. He’s already enjoyed meeting the village staff including Sales Advisor Anthea Johnson who signed him up.

She was wonderful, he says. “(Sales Advisor) Wendy is very helpful (Village Manager) Liz is very helpful … the whole staff have been helpful,” Tom says.

The first week of apartment living has been good, he says with no problems. He is relatively close to

his Shands Road workplace, with a Canterbury trucking firm, where he does vehicle testing.

“Before Jackie passed away, we were looking at downsizing. We had a three-bedroom place, a large section but trying to downsize (to another house) was very hard. We just wanted a two-bedroom place...

“And then after she passed away, I thought I don’t want to break another section in. Then we started to get the fliers about Ryman here, and I said to Karen ‘I might go and have a look’, she said ‘Oh I’ll come with you’. So, we came down to have a look, talked to Anthea and just signed up there and then.”

Pictured: Tom Dooley on his balcony at Kevin Hickman.

ALEXANDER HILLARY SAYS HE FEELS ‘ENDLESSLY PROUD’ OF SIR ED

For Sir Edmund Hillary’s grandson Alexander, the gradual realisation of the enormity of his grandfather’s profile began when he was old enough to recognise his face on New Zealand’s $5 note.

“That’s when I realised that Ed was a figure of national importance,” the 26-year-old told the audience members at the Ryman Healthcare village named after his grandfather.

But he said Sir Ed and Tenzing Norgay had no idea of the significance of their achievement when they reached the summit of Mt Everest on 29th May 1953. He said: “They both recall their ignorance when they reached the top, of the significance of their accomplishment and I find this very, very interesting.

“When they were on the summit, they didn’t realise what this accomplishment would mean for the world and particularly for New Zealand.”

Alexander went on to tell the audience how he has now ticked off an impressive number of mountains himself, one of the most emotional climbs was at the age of 23 with his brother George in 2019 when they climbed the peak

of Ama Dablam in the eastern Himalayan range of Nepal. It is a beautiful mountain, which he has admired since first laying eyes on it at the age of 12, but it is a technical climb and one that neither Sir Ed, nor his father Peter had managed to summit.

“When we got to the summit, we just collapsed on our knees and sobbed, hugging each other. It was quite a moving moment as it was a pretty emotional accomplishment for us Hillary’s, as it was only the third generation that my brother and I were able to get to the top.

“It made me think about the previous generations like Sir Ed who’d achieved a similar feat but in an altogether different way – I knew the mountain was possible, but they were forging a path into the unknown and that’s pretty incredible.”

“As his grandson and a New Zealander, I see his example as something that is important and relevant to who we want to be as a country and people today.”

Pictured: Alexander Hillary at the village named after his late grandfather.

KARAKIA TO LAUNCH CAMBRIDGE PROJECT

A blessing from Ngāti Koroki Kahukura has signalled the start of Ryman Healthcare’s new Cambridge retirement village.

The new 8.6 hectare site on Cambridge Rd is to the west of town and will be home to more than 350 residents. The new village will include 80 care beds, 60 serviced apartments, and 185 townhouses. It will also include an indoor swimming pool, a café, and a hair and beauty salon.

Ngāti Koroki Kahukura’s Harry Wilson joined with the Ryman team on site to acknowledge the mana whenua and pray for those who will build, work and live at the village. He explained how special the land is, having once been the original site of King Tawhiao where around 20,000 people once lived.

“It was a central hub of Māoridom. Whenever people came to our turf there was no fighting.”

He also acknowledged the historical land confiscations that forced local Māori to settle in less desirable areas. Now, coming together for such occasions represented positivity for the future.

“Our view now is how do we as Māori and as pakeha, as New Zealanders, move forward together?

He looked forward to the employment and residential opportunities that Ryman Healthcare’s new village would bring for local people. At a special kai, or lunch, Ryman Healthcare’s Taha Māori Kaitiaki – Cultural Navigator Irihapeti Bullmore acknowledged the customary and cultural relationships with ngā iwi Māori, tangata whenua, and gifted the koha of Pohowaitai Titi, (muttonbird), Kai Tahi delicacy, and Rakahuri inaka, (whitebait from the Ashley River).

“Working together as iwi for the betterment of kaumatua, whanau and the community is important to us, and we can’t move forward until Ngāti Koroki Kahukura mana whenua are supportive.”

Irihapeti talked about how ensuring the past helps us shape the future, acting with integrity, inclusiveness and supporting Iwi katoa.

“With the blessing of Ranginui today, the rain that finished our whenua mahi, it was a spiritual tohu (signal) from our Tupuna (ancestors) and we are blessed! A very special and emotional connection to this whenua, land and its people,” she said.

Pictured: Harry Wilson with the Ryman team on site at Cambridge.

DIANA ISAAC WINS AGED ADVISOR AWARD FOR ‘LARGE SOUTH ISLAND VILLAGE’

The Diana Isaac Retirement Village team has picked up an Aged Advisor People’s Choice Award, with the gong showing up the special bonds within the community of residents and village team members.

Diana Isaac took out the Best Large Retirement/Lifestyle Village in the category for South Island villages. The awards are based on hundreds of reviews and ratings for retirement facilities throughout the country.

Aged Advisor NZ, which runs the awards, provides consumer information and also news about the aged care industry and village living offerings. Previous Village Manager Tracey McCullough said everyone within the village had played a role in the win.

Diana Isaac was also close runner-up in the 2020 awards and had previously taken top spot in 2018 and 2015. Tracey said recent events such as the Walking for Wellness fitness

challenge, and the Yuri Bear (support for Ukraine) story had highlighted how residents were keen to participate in challenges and how close-knit the Ryman community was. The connections made during the events added a feel-good factor to daily life at Diana Isaac.

“It’s the best large retirement community, and it’s people’s choice… we’re very happy with the fact the awards picked on that,” she said.

The Diana Isaac village, and other villages within the Ryman fold, have a high focus on an enriched lifestyle for residents.

Ryman recently invited independent Diana Isaac residents to the launch of a brand-new Ryman resident app and a fun-filled enhanced activities programme. “We’ve got the resident experience coordinator role, so they’re helping bring to life the digital technology and calendar with our enhanced activities

programme for independent residents, which is really exciting.

“We’re also letting people know what’s on in the village, on our TV channel, in the village now, which is very cool. There’s always lots of innovation coming through Ryman which keeps our residents focused, engaged and upto-date with the modern technology and what’s going on in the world.”

There are also existing services such as an e-cab (an e-taxi for residents), a dedicated café, a Village Host, and the Resident Experience Coordinator which provides a wide range of enhanced activities.

Pictured: Adrienne Sincock (Clinical Manager), Adrienne Todd (Sales Advisor), Tracey McCullough, and Glenys Popenhagen (Resident Services Manager).

KEITH PARK CONSTRUCTION SITE TOUR

When Keith Park Retirement Village Project Manager

Simon Richards offered to give residents an open day with a guided tour of what was going on over on his side of the fence, the enthusiastic reaction to the idea took everyone by surprise.

“It’s the event we’ve had the most response to ever!” said Village Manager Kim Dawson of the construction site tours. “Everyone is soooo curious!”

Indeed, with more than 50 residents putting their names down, the tours had to be split into two showings with four vanloads taken round each time.

Members of the construction team, including Simon himself, accompanied residents in the vans to take a bumpy drive around the inner perimeter of the site, while pointing out the various points of progress.

He gave huge credit to the team on site too, who never failed to impress.

“We have got staff here who started as traffic spotters and they’re now running departments!” he said, with particular reference to Health & Safety Coordinator Nancy Strapp and Marcela Salazar, the Quality Assurance Coordinator.

Keith Park village resident Helen loved being so close to the construction activity.

“We think it’s too quiet at the weekends! I like the vibe of the tradies. We were doing our Triple A exercise class once and one of the guys was dancing around and getting into it.”

Another resident, Adrienne Brewer, agreed saying that if the inevitable noise got too much, she would listen out for one of the construction team who had such

an infectious laugh it immediately made her smile and feel all was well with the world again!

Simon said there were plenty of characters on site: “I heard one guy who was singing along while he was sleeping, and I was thinking to myself he’s in the wrong job!”

The tours finished off with a delicious morning tea and the chance to ask more questions, with Simon promising to schedule the tours on a quarterly basis from now on.

Pictured: (Top) Site Manager

Louis van de Venter drives one of the vans for the site tour, (right) Keith Park resident takes a photo of the progress.

RESIDENTS HONOUR THE QUEEN

Around 150 residents gathered at Edmund Hillary Retirement Village to form a sombre procession around the village grounds to honour the late Queen.

As they rounded the last of the town houses, the mournful sound of a lone bagpiper on the hill could be heard, providing a fitting musical accompaniment to the occasion.

Village Manager Dean Jackson and Resident Services Manager Janine Aitken led the group under an overcast sky, a backdrop which certainly fit the mood.

There procession included those who had served in the military, such as retired Naval Commander Ron Longley, former Air Vice Marshal Tom Thomson and James Scott, who served in both the Navy and the Army, all of them decorated with their medals.

Ron recalled the time he met the Queen at a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 1983.

When he was selected to talk to the Queen, she asked him what he was doing in the UK.

“I said ‘I am here to oversee the commercial refit of HMNZS Southland, one of your ships, Ma’am.

He later found out that when she visited Southampton two months later and met some of the men working on the ship, she told them she had already ‘met their boss’!

The village’s Queen’s Service Medal recipients were there too – Val Murray, Diane Wilson, Joan Swift and Noeline Farley, and there was even a Queen’s Counsel – or rather King’s Counsel – Howard Keyte.

Val always turned out for the Queen’s visits to New Zealand and took the news hard.

“I think it’s affected most people because we have been through all those years, she’s been alive, or most of us have been,” said Noeline.

Joan observed that while future recipients would be awarded King’s Service Medals, one thing would remain the same.

“We will still have a Queen’s Service Medal and of that I am very, very proud.”

The bagpiper – Kat Legg – led the procession back to the village centre where residents sang God Save the King with fellow resident Glenys Griffiths accompanying on keyboard. The village team had laid on a beautiful morning tea, following which residents sang a rousing version of the national anthem culminating in three cheers for the King.

Pictured: (below) Residents pause to appreciate bagpiper Kat Legg’s playing. (On the right) The Edmund Hillary procession throughout the village.

DIANA ISAAC TURNS 10

A decade of Diana Isaac Retirement Village has been celebrated in style with a musical performance, cake, and the unveiling of a new portrait of the village’s feisty namesake. More than 150 residents gathered for the 10th anniversary party of the Christchurch village.

Shirley Crossman, the village’s very first resident, helped Cheyne Chalmers unveil a new portrait of Diana, Lady Isaac as a special anniversary gift. The village’s choir performed four songs, including a special anniversary song written by village poet Murray Lennox.

Cheyne invited everyone gathered to go back more than 10 years in her time machine to the start of the village. In February 2010 Ryman announced to the NZX that they had bought an 11-hectare site on East Ellington Drive, where plans were being drawn up to build Ryman’s 23rd village. By early 2011 the plans were still being developed when everyone’s world was shattered by the Christchurch earthquake.

“The impact of that day was both tragic and profound on the city,’’ Cheyne said.

“More than 10,000 buildings were destroyed, and the brunt of the force was felt in the east – close to where we were planning to build.’’

The earthquakes became the impetus to fast-track the village, with Diana Isaac becoming a haven for those who had lost their homes, Cheyne said. “We had huge interest from residents wanting to move in as quickly as they could, and we built in record time.

“Our first residents loved their new home, word of mouth spread, and demand grew and grew, as luck would have it, we had a fantastic site, and we were in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.’’

The village was built in record time. It took 1,123,000 bricks to complete the village and had installed a total of 702 toilets. Cheyne said the village had a warm community

spirit from the start, which continued today.

She put this down to the wonderful team, led in the early days by Jenny Thiele, and more recently Tracey McCullough and Steve Wakeman.

“It is all about people. We are lucky to have had the most awesome team here from the start. Thank you all and for all you have done, you’re extraordinary – and in the past three years of COVID you have been exceptional as well as extraordinary. I cannot thank you enough.’’

She also thanked the residents for their support since the beginning.

Pictured: Resident Shirley Crossland and Cheyne Chalmers with the new portrait in honour of Diana Isaac.

TEAM POSSUM COMES TOP IN WALKING FOR WELLNESS CHALLENGE

In an epic virtual journey, 1,300 Ryman residents registered across New Zealand and Australia to participate in Ryman’s 2022 Active Ageing Mission, Walking for Wellness. Together they walked 43,104 kms in the month of October.

Each resident had a personal mission to walk 60kms over 30 days, using a ‘virtual mission’ app to document their progress. New Zealanders virtually walked the beautiful 60km Abel Tasman Coastal Track, and Australians virtually walked along Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

To celebrate, Ryman hosted a glamorous awards ceremony at the spectacular Edmund Hillary village on November 28th. The village centre was buzzing as the night kicked off with nibbles and bubbles.

Iconic Kiwi Master of Ceremonies Jason Gunn opened the evening,

following a welcome by Irihapeti Bullmore. After a few words, Chief Strategy Officer MaryAnne Stone invited Mona from Rowena Jackson on stage. Mona completed her 60 kms despite a severe sight impairment; one of 10 residents recognised for their inspiring Walking for Wellness wellbeing journey.

In the words of Olympian Barabara Kendall, who spoke as part of the evenings program, the gutsy Southern octogenarian shone a spotlight on the positive mental attitude it takes to achieve lifelong physical wellbeing.

The line honours for both men and women of various ages were announced by Cheyne Chalmers, with a live cross to each winner’s village, earning cheers and applause around the network!

The 65- 74 age group gold medal winners were Noreen Parsons from Linda Jones and Brett

Murray from Grace Joel village. Husband and wife duo Irienne and Tony Ameye from Anthony Wilding village won the gold medals in the individual - 75-84 age group. Joy Gray from Hilda Ross village and Robert Waldron from Woodcote village took out the gold medals for the 85+ age group. The Seenans from Nellie Melba village took gold in the teams. Three medallists completed their 60 kms in under three days!

Finally, the biggest announcement of the night, to great applause –the Active Ageing Village of the Year! Won by Possum Bourne, where residents had shown the biggest increase in their health gains since completing the walking event. They took the stage looking fit, happy, healthy and more than ready for their next mission!

Pictured: The residents from winning village Possum Bourne after receiving their trophy!

RYMAN HEALTHCARE TOP AGAIN IN QUALITY SERVICE AWARDS

Ryman Healthcare is the overall winner in the 2023 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Award in the retirement villages category, its eighth win since 2015.

The awards are based on surveys of consumers, and the aim is to recognise companies who deliver outstanding customer service. The winners are chosen from a survey of 1,620 New Zealanders across 35 categories.

Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief Louise Waterson said COVID lockdowns heavily impacted businesses during the year.

“Yet the customer service teams of businesses listed as Quality Service Award winners for 2023 rallied, building success by placing their customers’ needs at the centre of all business responses.

“This year has witnessed a greater focus and determination among customer service teams to ensure their customers’ needs, no matter how complex, are resolved quickly and with trouble-free solutions.

For the award-winning businesses this means successfully delivering assistance in an innovative and savvy manner, while at the same time remaining approachable simply by upholding levels of kindness and understanding as central to assisting individual customers properly.”

Cheyne Chalmers said the win reflected a huge amount of work by Ryman’s more than 6,000 team members.

“Service is something we take pride in, and the best reward is always seeing the delight our residents and their families take in what we do.

“They’re great at telling us how much they appreciate what our teams do, and this award is the icing on the cake.’’

“It’s a lovely tribute to our team, and I’d like to say thanks to everyone who works at Ryman for their commitment which is so consistent.’’

Ryman’s New Zealand villages are home to more than 12,000 residents and the team delivers more than 7 million hours of care each year.

Ryman was also named Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand in the aged care and retirement villages sector this year for the eighth time.

Pictured: Charles Upham staff celebrating!

RYMAN STEPS UP AS THE BALLET’S PRINCIPAL DANCE PARTNER

Ryman has taken its relationship with the Royal New Zealand Ballet to the next level for 2023, signing on as the national ballet’s new Principal Partner.

Cheyne Chalmers said Ryman was pleased to be able to take on the lead role with the ballet after many years sponsoring different seasons including this year’s hit season of Cinderella.

“We have been an enthusiastic supporter of the RNZB for many years and we are delighted to be able to take our backing to the next level.

“Over the years we’ve been amazed by the innovation and sheer hard work our national ballet brings to overcoming any barriers, including the elevated digital experience to make the ballet accessible during COVID.

“The RNZB’s innovative and inclusive approach to delighting

our residents while inspiring the next generation’s love of dance is something we are thrilled to be able to support.’’

Ryman’s partnership coincides with a huge year for the national ballet which celebrates its 70th anniversary season and a return home to its headquarters in the St James Theatre in Wellington.

The RNZB has announced that its 2023 season will include Romeo and Juliet, which returns in May, Lightscapes in July, and Hansel & Gretel for the Christmas season.

Tutus on Tour, being performed from February to March 2023, will look back to the RNZB’s early days with performances in some of the smaller cities and towns in New Zealand, and most cherished and charming historic theatres.

The RNZB will continue to invest in digital dance in 2023, bringing live performances out of the theatre and into living rooms across the country and the world, offering a

fresh perspective on classic and contemporary works with ballet made for broadcast. The digital year will include free broadcasts of short works and on-demand streams of full-length ballets, available to watch at home.

RNZB Chair Dame Kerry Prendergast said: “We offer a heartfelt thank you to all our supporters, but especially to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, our national touring partner Pub Charity Limited and our new principal partner Ryman Healthcare. We are so grateful for your generosity, your commitment, and your belief in the value of our work.

Pictured: The RNZB 2023 company photographed by Stephen A’Court.

RYMAN LAWN BOWLS CHALLENGE BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN RESIDENTS AND STAFF

Ryman’s construction team has taken on residents at their own game lawn bowls, in Christchurch.

End-of-year games went down a storm on both the Ngaio Marsh and Anthony Wilding village greens.

A construction crew from Kevin Hickman village showed up for the Anthony Wilding-based event, and there was more than an hour of competitive bowling. The residents were proud to take out three of the three matches played on the day.

At Ngaio Marsh the results were less important with both residents and construction members called winners on the day.

There was a serious side to the event, as pointed out by organisers Olivia Gilmore (Ryman Health and Safety Lead), Benni Hulme (HR Advisor), and Natasha Richardson

(Health & Safety Coordinator). The bowls event is a way of introducing construction team members to the residents that they build town houses, apartments, and village centres for.

Natasha said Tuesday’s event keyed in with the work being done during Ryman’s Hauora (Wellbeing) Month and reflected some of the concept of ‘te whare tapa whā’ – the four cornerstones (or pillars) of Māori health.

Lawn bowls fitted in well with that general focus on health and wellbeing as well as the pillar of family health and connecting people, Natasha said. There has already been one lawn bowls encounter at Ngaio Marsh.

Townhouse resident Paul Edwards said he was a regular on the green, but the challenge was something different from the usual village encounters.

In the four and a half years he had lived at Anthony Wilding, he and other regulars had built up a fun diary for events on the green. “We like to play here as many times as we can – usually three times a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,” Paul said.

“Some of them (like to take it seriously). But we like to play friendly games.”

There was a great vibe as the Ryman construction and Christchurch office team relaxed at a village on a warm Canterbury Day. Members of the team said the bowls event really “filled their cup” in terms of being able to interact with residents.

Pictured: Staff and residents take to the green.