Frances Hodgkins Village residents gathered together to deliver a heartfelt birthday cheer for their landmark Dunedin home, to celebrate its opening 30 years ago.

The wonderful anniversary event at the Dunedin village started with a surprise bang! Yes a few balloons did pop, but it was all part of the fun for an occasion that included a cutting of the cake and remembering parts of village life stretching back through the last three decades.

Village Manager Ann McAteer said the boutique village was well known for its ability to celebrate on special occasions, and introduced guests including Marsha Cadman, Ryman Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer.

Marsha said she was overwhelmed to receive such a warm and lovely welcome from those within the village in the beautiful southern city.  

Marsha noted that Frances Hodgkins Village, built in 1994, was a radical departure at the time for both Ryman Healthcare and for Dunedin where many of the new residents, at first “didn’t think they deserved to live in such beautiful accommodation”.

It introduced apartment-style living to retirees, and the village ‘high rise’ became a unique selling point and a landmark within the city.

Frances Hodgkins was one of the first villages in Ryman’s network to be named after a namesake’, with this one honouring the famous local artist, who achieved success overseas becoming a key figure in British Modernism.

Frances Hodgkins, who enjoyed some of her education at the Dunedin School of Art, was a woman who like other Ryman village namesakes defied expectations, Marsha said.

From left Hannah Gray, Village Manager Ann McAteer and Ryman Chief Operating Officer Marsha Cadman.

Marsha gave a big thank you to Ann and her team for arranging the get together in recognition of both the current residents and the history of the village.

“I have to say I think this is the most gorgeous view of any of our villages I’ve seen. So hold that dear,” she said.

Marsha noted that Kevin Hickman and John Ryder founded Ryman in Christchurch in 1984 – 40 years ago, and 10 years later Frances Hodgkins Village was Kevin and John’s first foray outside of Christchurch.

“I think that’s a lovely personification of Kevin’s view of the world: we all deserve to have the best in life, no matter our age, regardless of age. As we grow older, having the chance to live in such a beautiful village surrounded by wonderful, supportive people truly enhances that experience.”

Diana Hanafin, General Manager Operations – South Island said the village, a big financial outlay at the time, was highly visible over the south of Dunedin. “We really did stamp our footprint in Dunedin with this village.”

From left: Long-serving Frances Hodgkins senior caregiver Maria Mathieson joined with Marsha to cut the cake.

After the event was underway, Ann McAteer went on congratulate Frances Hodgkins residents who took part in Ryman’s Walking For Wellness event in 2024. Certificates were handed out, with the help of Marsha and village Activities & Lifestyle Coordinator Hannah Gray, to a group of residents who’d excelled in the 60km and 120km age-group challenges.

“On the percentage rate of people who actually completed their mission, we actually came first with a 100 per cent completion rate,” Hannah said.

Resident Ann Duck was happy to share some recent memories. She showed off a book in the form of a photo album with both pictures and text to illustrate the latest outings enjoyed by serviced apartment residents.

“About 18 months ago, I ended up coming to Frances Hodgkins and I’ve loved it ever since. In the book we like to portray a happy home, which is what we are,” Ann said.

Marsha relayed some recent comments by long-time Sales Advisor Kate Morgan who has found the village high rise to be a real selling point.

“We have lovely views over Dunedin and across the local beaches and the harbour basin, and no two days are ever the same,” she said.

"I'm sure you'll agree, and I have no doubt the blue sky will be out tomorrow," Marsha added