Diana’s IournalDiana’s IournalNancy and Grace Wilson with Beverly Stratford at our Wizard of Oz family day

Emerald CityTh is wayTh is wayTh is wayto theto the

• Pretty in Pink• Wizard of Oz fever• Meet the Searles• Ryman Award winners

Inside this issue:

Diana Isaac Retirement Village Spring Newsletter 2016

Ryman raise $300,000 for Red Cross Ryman Healthcare has raised a record $300,000 for the New Zealand Red Cross. Managing Director Simon Challies said the Red Cross – who recently celebrated its centenary – had struck a chord with residents and staff alike. “We had great feedback when we selected the Red Cross, that it had touched the lives of many of our residents and their families. From prisoner-of-war parcels to disaster relief after the Canterbury earthquakes, the Red Cross is always there.” Residents and staff across 31 villages raised a total of $150,000, and the company matched their efforts dollar for dollar. This year’s charity partner is the Heart Foundation Clinical Fellowship.

Welcome to the spring issue of Diana’s Journal.

At four years old, Diana Isaac Retirement Village is no longer the new kid on the block; our gardens have established well, and the awards and accolades we’ve received are a testament to the beautiful environment we enjoy here at the village.

The past few months have been busy with a variety of events, celebrations, and activities. Highlights include our Wizard of Oz family day, taking part in a fl ashmob choir at two local malls, a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, and who could forget our Hippie Dance! The arrival of our new Ryman uniforms designed by Annah Stretton is imminent, and everyone is looking forward to the bright and bold new look.

At the annual Ryman conference we had the honour of presenting our charity, the New Zealand Red Cross, with a cheque for $300,000. This was in addition to

1 Lady Isaac Way, Mairehau, Christchurch • www.dianaisaac.co.nz

the $97,000 raised company-wide for the Fiji cyclone relief fund. Well done Rymanians, what a generous bunch you are!

I have recently celebrated one year as village manager, and what a wonderful journey it’s been. A year made special by the supportive community we have here at Diana Isaac - the residents and staff truly are a wonderful group of people.

Happy reading – I hope you enjoy this colourful snapshot of the past few months.

Kind regards,

George SmithVillage Manager

George SmithVillage ManagerPhone: 03 386 3018

Adrienne ToddSales Advisor Phone: 03 385 3518

Call George for general enquiries or any information about resthome, hospital and dementia care.

Talk to Adrienne about retirement living options and availabilities in the village.

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l

Greetings from George...

Kind regards,

Professor Henry Brodaty has won the 2016 Ryman Prize in recognition of his three decades of tireless work into ways to combat dementia.

The Ryman Prize is a $250,000 international prize which rewards the best work in the world that has enhanced quality of life for older people.

A renowned researcher, clinician, advocate and pioneer, Sydney-based Brodaty was selected by the Ryman Prize’s international jury.

Ryman Chairman and Ryman Prize Juror Dr David Kerr said his nomination was a standout. “We had an incredible field this year and there were some strong contenders from all over the world. Professor Brodaty’s dedication and achievements are truly world-class. He is a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Australasia and his influence has been felt around the world.’’

Henry Brodaty wins the Ryman Prize

From left: Professor Sarah Harper, Dr David Kerr,

Professor Henry Brodaty and Professor Tim Wilkinson

at the 2016 Ryman Prize Award Ceremony

Brodaty said it was a wonderful honour. “Older people are the fastest-growing sector of our population and mental health is the largest contribution to disease burden as we age,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award.”

Michelle Hamilton, Lisa Eyre and Barbara Large

In May we held a Pink Ribbon Breakfast to raise money for the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation. It was a wonderful morning full of pink goodies, bubbles, and lots of laughs for a great cause.

Pret y in pink

Wizard of Oz Generic

There were yellow brick roads, tin men, rainbows and gingham galore, as Wizard of Oz fever took hold of Ryman’s villages throughout the month of May!

To celebrate the Ryman-sponsored season of the Wizard of Oz ballet, villages across New Zealand and in Melbourne were transformed to represent iconic scenes from the much-loved film. There were munchkinlands, haunted forests, poppy fields, and emerald cities, featuring all the characters we know and love.

Each village was sent a Wizard of Oz-themed pack, brimming with activities and ideas to get residents and staff into the Oz swing of things. These included a quiz, puzzles, DVD and CD, posters, masks, make and create goodies, yellow brick road and billboard.

Events included Oz-themed family fun days, happy hours, red shoe days and movie screenings, with residents and staff embracing Oz magic and proving there’s no place quite like your Ryman home (or workplace!) Many also enjoyed a memorable evening at the ballet, which was a sell-out success throughout its nationwide tour in May/June.

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4 5Diana’s Journal Diana’s Journal

There’s no place like There’s no place like Diana Isaac!

Our main event was a fun-fi lled Wizard of Oz family day, complete with costumed characters and very much enjoyed by residents, their families, and staff. A group of residents joined singers from Anthony Wilding and Ngaio Marsh villages, and children from St Francis of Assisi, to captivate lunchtime shoppers in two local malls with a fl ashmob rendition of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’.

Mary Turner enjoying the celebrations

WINNERS 2016

Ryman Annual Awards

CAREGIVER OF THE YEAR

Nelson Tom, Rita Angus Ricky Ciobanu, Birkenhead Site

CONSTRUCTION TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Roger Rolls, Grace Joel

SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Wayne Thompson, Jane Winstone

LEADER OF THE YEAR

VILLAGE OF THE YEAR

Tammy Drinkwater, Jane Mander

SALES ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

Frances Hodgkins

6 7Diana’s Journal Diana’s Journal

Hello, we’re Clarence and Christine. We have both worked at Diana Isaac for four years, and have a 20-month-old son named Cody, who is the love of our lives.

I (Clarence) am a jack of all trades, having previously worked as an activities assistant, and now as a physio assistant and a carer. I have a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and am a trained nurse. I also worked as a medical technician for six years.

Christine is a registered nurse on the night shift and has worked in all areas of the village. She grew up with her grandmother and took care of her while she was bedridden for nine years. She treats all residents as one of her own.

We are both very thankful to the team at Diana Isaac, as they have always been very supportive. Christine was sponsored by Ryman Healthcare in obtaining certifi cation to become a registered New Zealand nurse. This led to us obtaining New Zealand residency.

Life is hectic, with us both working full-time and juggling an active toddler. However with all the amazing help at Diana Isaac, we couldn’t think of a better place to work!

Introducing Clarence & Christine

Hello, our names are Pearl and Des Searle. We are very much family people who have enjoyed each stage of our lives. Through the years we have been caravanners and campers who have enjoyed great family holidays fi shing, whitebaiting, boating and water skiing.

Des had his own car wrecking business for eight years, then he made the change to panelbeating and car painting until health issues forced a change. He has always enjoyed helping other people, and his clever inventions include adapting a caravan to meet a paraplegic neighbour’s needs, and a machine dubbed a ‘gnat’, which provided the neighbour access to beaches and riverbeds.

I (Pearl) was also a hands-on person, learning to decorate wedding cakes and the like. An interest in art gave me great pleasure and a lovely little sideline which continued until retirement.

We are very grateful to both still be here together aged 88 and 86 years old, now living ‘the life of Riley’ at Diana Isaac. We feel as though we’re living in a holiday resort and enjoy the company of other residents and staff.

Meet the Se

arles

hristine was sponsored

8 Diana’s Journal

An inter-village golf tournament was held in April at the Everglades Country Club. Organised by independent residents Peter and Sheila Ellis, residents enjoyed a day of good competition, sun and a great barbeque.

Upcoming EventsFinal Speakers Club

Bowls tournament

Melbourne Cup celebrations

Village Market Day

Inter-village Golf

A beautiful day on the green at the Everglades

There'There'ss n noo place like h place like hoome!me!

All you need is love…and a community that loves to have fun! In July our independent residents enjoyed a fabulous hippie-themed dance. There were psychedelic hippies and paisley galore as revellers danced the night away in style.

!