81st Birthday Trike Ride

What better way to celebrate an 81st birthday than having a ride on a Trike (a motorised one, that is!).

Decked out in their black leathers, two lovely ladies from the Ulysses Motorcycle Club visited Jimmy Doctor on his birthday with their impressive Trikes. There were great discussions about the mechanics of bikes and keeping all the chrome shiny before Jimmy and his mates each had a ride around the courtyard.


Many of the ladies took an interest in both the bikes and the lady riders, decked out in their impressive leather gear. Those who found the day abit chilly were still able to watch proceedings from the dining room.

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A Kiwi Family Christmas

Yet again the Monte Vista Family & Residents Christmas Party was enjoyed by all with a huge turnout of family members.

Our Christmas theme this year was 'A Kiwi Christmas at the Lake' so the reception area was decorated with things that celebrated kiwi fun at the beach/lake. However we had to omit any sand as the resident cat might have got the wrong idea of what it was for.

The party started with Taupo's Official Bag Piper (and Monte Vista volunteer) Don Ryder playing Christmas carols before we blessed our food and gave thanks for our fellowship.

Other entertainment included delightful musical performances by families on the clarinet and guitar.

A fine feast was prepared by our chef extradionaire, Sandy, whilst her dedicated husband Noel made the Christmas cake and plum puddings. As usual, the wonderful staff at Monte Vista made sure our residents throughly enjoyed the feast and the party.

Of course Santa (aka Noel the plum pudding maker) remembered to visit on Christmas Day.

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Three Wheeling to The Gardens.

As part of TerraNova’s 'Wishing Tree' several residents at West Harbour Gardens experienced the wind in their hair on a fabulous new Harley-Davidson Trike.
Harley approved the use of the Kiwi Rider Magazine test bike and Journalist ‘Big’ Dave took them for a jaunt along the Upper Harbour Highway on the $50,000 machine. The Garden’s Manager Lynn Moffat went along for a thrill too.
‘Oh just fabulous’ said Gary, a former motorcyclist after his stint on the back.
‘First timed I’ve ever been on anything like it’ said Terry.
‘Oh gosh, that’s fantastic, very exhilarating and so comfortable on the back!’ Enthused Lynn after the ride.
The rides continued the fantastic TerraNova Wishing Tree initiative. Wishes have been granted all over New Zealand, including 91-year-olds going skydiving, helicopter rides and trips to the South Island.

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Cruise Time

Back by popular demand for the residents of Monte Vista was a relaxing cruise up the Waikato River. The waters were calm, the weather was warm and humid with a refreshing river breeze keeping us all comfortable.

Skipper Dave guided us safely on our journey and, as always, the highlight of the cruise was viewing the powerful Huka Falls which never fail to impress.

Family and volunteers who joined the outings had a great time with the residents and all guests enjoyed Sandy's (the cook) scrumptous fresh sandwiches and homemade shortbread.

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Scooter to the Rescue

Jim Landeman wished for a new mobility scooter so he could keep feeding his cat Sweetie. Now that wish has come true.

The 74-year-old has been a resident at Jervois Residential Care in Herne Bay for the past three years. He adopted his beloved cat Sweetie from the SPCA 15 years ago, but didn’t bring her when he moved into the home because he didn’t think she would adjust to the change.

So Jim has made the trip to Ponsonby on his mobility scooter every day to visit and feed Sweetie, who has been living with his brother Ken. But recently those trips have become less frequent. Jim says his mobility scooter became “old and battered” and so he could only make the trip once a week.

He needed a new one, but couldn’t afford it.

Michelle Feehan, Manager of Jervois Residential Care, asked Jim if he had a wish for the rest home’s wishing tree almost two months ago. “I wish for a new scooter,” was his reply.

It was presented to him at a surprise afternoon tea last week complete with personalised number plates. “I was very pleased,” says Jim. With his new set of wheels, Jim can now keep feeding Sweetie every day. “I’ll see her more often now I’ve got a new scooter.”

In the years since the TerraNova Wishing Tree initiative began, wishes have been granted all over New Zealand. There have been 91-year-olds skydiving, helicopter rides and trips to the South Island.

Often the wishes are sponsored by companies. Invacare, a medical equipment company, donated the mobility scooter to Jim. Sharelle Lincoln organised the scooter donation and was part of another resident’s wish to go on a helicopter ride. “If we could be involved in every single one we would.” Michelle says granting the residents’ wishes is one of the best parts of her job.

“It’s such a buzz. To be able to make a wish come true is such an incredible thing.”

Sharelle Lincoln (from Invacare) presents Jim with his fabulous new scooter

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Kia Ora from Mabel & Margaret

We have been employees of Terranova for the past 5 years.
We have seen many changes but one unchanging fact is the support and encouragement we have received from our Terranova and Monté Vista colleagues including our CEO Janet and COM Nikki, for our Darts endeavours.
In May we were both selected as Bay of Plenty representatives to compete in the week-long National Darts Tournament in Nelson in June 2009.
With tongue in cheek, we thought we would ask Terranova to sponsor us for this New Zealand Open Tournament in a competition field of 400+ players, including top players form Australia.
Our request was fully supported by Sarah (Clinical Coordinator) and Anne (Manager) and the specially commissioned tops arrived soon after.
We competed in great style, in our beautiful navy and pink shirts with “Team Terranova” on our backs.
Mabel achieved 3rd place and Margret 9th place. A very fine effort indeed we enjoyed celebrating with everyone in Nelson and then back in Taupo.
Mabel was also selected to play in the North Island B Team which bought home the Gold Medal.
We wish to extend thanks and appreciation to Terranova and all our workmates who supported and cheered us on to achieve what we did.
Kia Ora
from both Mabel Allison and Margret Regnault-Leaf
Team Terranova, from Monte Vista

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Jasmine (aka Mouse) goes to live at Monte Vista

In autumn of this year, Monte Vista decided it needed a new cat. The SPCA were contacted and very clear specifications given by the non-cat lover manager and the cat experts on staff (ie most of the staff)
Within a few days we were contacted and invited to view several options at the SPCA.
A staff representative went to look and selected, ‘Mouse’ a beautiful, young silver grey cat.
A resident’s meeting followed where various names were tabled and voted on. Mouse was renamed ‘Jasmine’.

We have never looked back. Whereas the previous 2 cats rarely allowed the majority of residents to touch them, Jasmine often moves from lap to lap.

Jasmine gives our residents the beauty of a living sculpture, often poised beside the bird’s cage.
She offers chair bound residents the pleasure of watching her groom herself or just walk by.
She is a loving warmth in their lap, that they can feel and stroke or simply share a sleep in the sunshine.
Jasmine provides love and some entertainment as she shares her day with our residents.

PS: the manager still can’t touch Jasmine but she loves her just the same.

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