Cliff and Michelle reunite to reflect on Ryman history

While Ryman’s early beginnings were in Christchurch, for Auckland retirees and team members that relationship began in 2002 when Grace Joel Retirement Village opened in sunny St Heliers.

Cliff Hart and his wife Judy’s decision to move into the new Ryman village on their doorstep was made in a matter of minutes - and with zero research!

“Judy and I moved into Apartment eight on 29 August 2002,” says Cliff.

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“We had come to have a look at the place on behalf of my cousin but we quickly realised it would be ideal for us.

“Chrissy the Sales Advisor showed us the apartment on the floor plan. We looked at each other, and 10 minutes later said, ‘we’ll take it!’”

It was perfect timing for Cliff and Judy, who at the time were living down the road in Mission Bay and thinking about all the upkeep needed on their house.

Before it was converted and expanded into Grace Joel Village, the building on St Heliers Bay Road was previously the Auckland Adventist Hospital, built in 1974. Cliff was immediately drawn to it having had a connection to the location since he was a pupil at the school just down the road.

“I was born and brought up in St Heliers and when I went to St Heliers Bay Primary I was very good friends with a boy who lived at 184 St Heliers Bay Road,   which is now the village address.”

That familiarity continued with his work as a radiographer.

“I set up a portable x-ray service where I took my own equipment to hospitals, rest homes and retirement villages and I was the visiting radiographer at the hospital until I retired.”

After moving in, Cliff recalls numerous fun outings, including a three-day tour of Parakai, Dargaville and the Kaipara Harbour, and of course the weekly happy hours and regular fine dining evenings, some of them spent with newly-made friends from the village as well as old mates harking back to school days.

“This place is just like home. With any family environment you have your differences but we sort them out, that’s what families do.

“We love it here and we wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

Judy sadly passed away in 2012 and five years later Cliff opted to move from independent living to a serviced apartment.

That was the beauty of living in a Ryman village, with other care options that are ‘good enough for Mum and Dad’ on the same site, says Cliff, 97.

“If your needs change, you can change with them. I’m living exactly as I was at number eight, I still have my independence and freedom except now I’m being cared for.”

With his outgoing personality and passionate about classical music, Cliff has held around 100 classic musical presentations for other residents, fondly known as Cliff’s Classics.

“I need company, so I’m in the right place!”

He’s also a big fan of the great food served at the recently-opened village café: “It’s great to have somewhere to take people for lunch. They do a wonderful Eggs Benedict,” he laughs.

Michelle Forman is well known as the Village Coordinator in Ryman’s biggest village, Edmund Hillary but she actually spent the first five years of her 22-year-long Ryman career as a caregiver at Grace Joel.

“There was just one person in the hospital unit when I started, Edna Hoyle,” she says, poring over her box of photos with Cliff.

“Back then we did everything – reception, helped out in the kitchen, laundry, making beds.

“I then became Activities Coordinator in the hospital unit but I needed a full time job and Edmund Hillary was opening,” says Michelle.

It was a wrench to leave, she says.

“With Grace Joel being boutique, and smaller, you knew everyone and it was hard because people get to know you.

“The beauty of going into a new village is you get to know the residents as they come in, and watching it grow was good.”

With so much experience in Ryman’s approach to retirement living , Michelle remains a firm advocate to this day.

“I think it’s the personal touch. Our staff are always approachable, they work hard to make sure our residents feel valued and really we are like a family. We treat residents as if they are our family because the village is their home.”