The Chat The Lifestyle Choice Christmas Edition 2020 A cut above the Inside rest this issue CEO News As any woman can tell you, a good hairdresser is hard to find, and Chief’s Report when you do, it is a real asset. It takes the right combination of expertise, experience, and a real love for the profession. Chris Hillary, Chatsford’s hairdresser, is on the move. She and her husband Welcome Addition Wayne have built a new home in Ranfurly and will begin their new life there in New member of the team December. Although Chris is excited about their new beginnings, it is tinged with sadness, leaving behind her Chatsford ‘family’ and the hundreds of clients she Melbourne Cup Day has cared for over the years. Everyone's a winner! Hairdressing was always going to be her vocation. She laughs when she tells the story of cutting her favourite China doll’s hair as a child. By the time she had finished, her doll had virtually no Always Organised hair left. Aged 16 she began her training Staff Profile at Arthur Barnett Ltd and after finishing her apprenticeship went to Salon Caprice in South Dunedin which later changed its Dancing the Night Away name to Headquarters. During these years Music and fun abounds she became familiar with the hairdressing requirements of women of all ages. When Chris heard of the potential to work at Chatsford she wrote a letter presenting her qualifications and a price list. A couple More treats of months went by until she was given inside! a short trial which went well. She began her work at Chatsford when it was in it’s infancy - only 18 months old. At first, whoever worked in reception organised her appointment schedule, and she quickly picked up enough clients to work one day a week. Gradually, she built up enough clients until she was open four days a week. She built up a steady rapport with her clients and had many regulars and was also on hand if a resident’s own hairdresser To take an online tour was on holiday. of our wide range of activities, amenities She is good at reading people’s moods and could sense if her clients preferred not to talk. Many of them have become friends. Chris has enjoyed the challenge and housing options of keeping up with the designs her clients have requested. She observes how available, visit many of the women at Chatsford are very youthful in the choices of styles they www.chatsford.co.nz prefer. Chris has cherished the opportunity to work within such a close community. “I’d like everyone to know how much I appreciate both the staff and residents,” she says. “I especially loved Christmas and it was such fun dressing up the salon with Christmas decorations.” Each year she specifically added a new feature, and it was hard to miss the blinking lights down her end of the corridor. 1 88 Glenbrook Drive, Mosgiel, Otago | Freephone 0800 222 455 | Email [email protected] | www.chatsford.co.nz 88 Glenbrook Drive, Mosgiel, Otago | Freephone 0800 222 455 | Email [email protected] | www.chatsford.co.nz 1 Chief’schatter Welcome to our summer 2020-21 edition of A central figure in organising many of these events the Chatsford Chat. and the numerous other activities that are available at Chatsford is our energetic Activities Coordinator, Last time I talked about 2020 being a year like no Wendy McAlwee. In this edition you will learn a other with many ‘normal’ activities across most of little about Wendy and the variety of great work she the world curtailed by Covid-19. For us living in does to create a vibrant life at Chatsford, while also New Zealand, our willingness to comply with a well- helping residents to remain fit and active. structured, science-based response to Covid-19 has left us better-placed than most. As a friend said to You will also meet Amanda Williams on the following me recently, “We are very fortunate to live where pages. Amanda joined as our Marketing Assistant in March of this year (just a short time before we went we do. We can pretty-much do whatever we want – into level 4 lockdown!) and has quickly become a except use our passports…” And valuable member of our marketing team. they are absolutely correct – we are very lucky to be in In this ‘Chat’ we have favourite recipes from our the position we are right guest cook, Dorothy Giles. Dorothy has been living now. We should not take at Chatsford for nearly 18 months and has embraced this for granted and, the opportunity to get out and about with our more importantly, we walking group on a regular basis. Most Fridays this should not become group will take the Chatsford minibus to one of the complacent about many wonderful walking tracks around the city and the basic guidelines get some exercise and fresh air. Dorothy also enjoys that will ensure we joining in on our lunch outings where a busload keep this virus under of residents will venture off to different restaurants control. around the region for a nice meal, maybe a glass of wine and, most importantly, great companionship. And life at Chatsford has As you can see, no matter what your taste or ability, certainly returned to normal there will always be something of interest going on with numerous activities and at Chatsford. events for our residents to enjoy. In this edition we cover just some of these. Our Sadly, we are about to say goodbye to two long- traditional Melbourne Cup afternoon included the serving Chatsford personnel. Chris Hillary has been expected ‘glam’ of this fixture and after the winners the Chatsford Hairdresser for 28 years! She is retiring were celebrated and the losers commiserated, a to the lovely Maniototo area and will be missed by wonderful communal dinner was enjoyed by all. many residents and staff. Another tradition is our Spring Luncheon which Karen King is also leaving Chatsford after 17 years of always fills our Summerfield Hall to capacity. This dedicated ‘behind the scenes’ service in our accounts year’s was no exception and all those who attended department. We wish Karen all the best for her new had a great time. role in Central Otago. In comparison with the genteel Spring Luncheon the Finally, as we make our way rapidly towards the ‘Friday Night Fever’ rock ’n’ roll night proved that, for festive season, I take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and happy (and hopefully many of our residents, being retired is just an excuse more normal) 2021. to party even harder. After a display by Rock ‘n’ Roll dancers and a demonstration of ballroom dancing, Until next time… our ‘village people’, some with walking frames, took Malcolm Hendry over the dance floor with resident ‘DJ Jenny’ playing Chatsford CEO all the favourites from the rock ‘n’ roll era. In another change of pace, The Hawthorn Band recently entertained residents with their easy- listening folk music. So there definitely is something for everyone! 2 88 Glenbrook Drive, Mosgiel, Otago | Freephone 0800 222 455 | Email [email protected] | www.chatsford.co.nz Welcome addition to the Amanda Williams is a recent addition to the Chatsford Management team. In her role as a Marketing Assistant she meetsteam and greets interested newcomers either by phone, or to take them through the Chatsford Community on the popular pre-arranged guided tours. She also assists in dressing up apartments and units when they become available to give newcomers a first-hand look. She has quickly adapted to the friendly Chatsford ethos and is really enjoying her new role. “No day is ever the same here,” she says. She finds most people are well informed through the website and many have friends who already live at Chatsford. The peaceful environment and beautiful gardens always delight new visitors. “I enjoy meeting such a diverse range of people and I am mindful of the importance of the decision that our visitors are contemplating.” She has noted a steady stream of inquiries following the Covid-19 lockdown after people who lived alone realised the many added benefits a supportive community could offer. Chatsford has a wide spectrum of activities that engage people interested in widening their skills and interests and for those focussed on keeping their bodies fit and active. It is a bonus for residents to know that most of their needs can be met without having to leave the premises. Amanda grew up on a farm in Lawrence before moving to the ‘big smoke’ to begin her working life. Amanda is kept busy outside of work with her two young children, Jakob aged five and Isla aged three. She and her partner, Damon, live in Waldronville and take full advantage of the lovely walks the area provides to exercise their dog, Meeka. Amanda played social and club netball from a young age until her early 30s. She and her partner also enjoy mountain biking which they are keen to resume once their children are a little older. Guest Speaker Update As a result of Covid 19 pandemic, this year’s Celebrity Speaker, Irene van Dyk, one of the world’s best-known netball players and the most-capped player of all time, was postponed. Irene is rescheduled to speak at Chatsford on Sunday 11th April 2021 at 2pm in the Sommerfield Hall. Her insights and stories which highlight her exceptional ability to overcome adversity, coupled with her enduring experience as a top-level sportswoman, will be well worth the wait.