Apologies from Jan D, Gary,Des and Myles (LOA)

Apology from President Murray for the delay in sending this Bulletin (Technical problem)!!

We were delighted to welcome Taylor Fulton again ( visiting from Canada on 2 year visa) and hope she continues to make us her Rotary home from home. Her help in selling raffle tickets is also much appreciated!

Simon held a fine session, inspired by the dreadful weather of the previous few days. It has been record breaking for all the wrong reasons!

Our Guest Speaker was well known to us - Wally Garrett returning with Richard Anderson to give us details of his latest project, Abbeyfield Housing.

 

 

Abbeyfield is a form of community  housing for the elderly where a group live in shared housing. The aim is to combat loneliness and provide a positive environment at a manageable cost.Each resident has their own room ( which they can furnish  with their own belongings) and en suite. There are no cooking facilities as all meals are provided daily and eaten together in the common living area. These are provided by a professional housekeeper who also helps run the facility. Some 98% of work for Abbeyfield however is carried out by volunteers.

There are currently 15 Abbeyfields in NZ with around 14 people living in each community. The aim is to have an equal male/female split. They are not nursing homes and residents must be able to cope reasonably independently.

Cost is $440 per week and this is all inclusive.

Wally and Richard are working on creating an Abbeyfield in New Plymouth and have already made great progress. They are fortunate that Abbeyfield NZ can provide a blueprint for them based on existing facilities although each Abbeyfield is bespoke.. First step is to find land for building ( through Abbeyfield NZ)and they have a section lined up in conjunction with with Sacred Heart which is currently under discussion.

The6 have also been given a grant from NPDC so in total they have raised about $2 million  of the estimated $3.5-4 million required. It is  seen as a 3-4 year project with completion in 2029.

 

For more information about Abbeyfield, please visit https://www.abbeyfield.co.nz/

 

Sally gave the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the Club.

 

In his 5 Minute Speech, Simon reported back on his latest teaching trip to Thailand, pointing out that out the differences he has seen over the years.

 

Gaylene updated on the Raffle and thank the helpers. Money so far counted is in excess of $7 k. There are still a few weeks to go and we seem on target to sell all the tickets.

 

Jan N spoke about holding a quiz night at The Good Home in September . After discussion it was decided to hold it on Monday 15 September. More details to follow.

 

President Murray said help will be required to finish the planting at Destination Kawaroa and asked for volunteers,perhaps including some of the schools where we already have connections.

 

He also mentioned fundraising by Chris Connelly of NP North.

 

The Parting Thought had been emailed in by Jan D: