Abbeyfield in Palmerston North grew from a steering committee formed from a public meeting held in Palmerston on May 9th 2000. Preparations leading to this meeting began in March 1998 when the Abbeyfield Executive Officer addressed the Palmerston North City Community Development and Health Committee.
Since Abbeyfield Palmerston North was incorporated in 2001, the wider community of Manawatu, Rangitikei and Oroua have generously supported the concept by giving to the growing fund needed to construct the house, valued at $1,000,000.
This unique style of accommodation for the older person will fill a gap in this community. Living with independence, companionship and security in a family style environment, where residents can come and go as they please, and be as independent or private as the wish.
In the first few years many functions were held to raise funds, such as wine auctions, craft auctions, raffles, an historic house opening, a garden tour and garage sales. Land was offered for sale by the Palmerston North City Council at 115 Vogel Street and was purchased by the local Abbeyfield society at a generous 50% discount.
Letter box drops, radio and newspaper advertising, and opportunities to speak to interested groups has spread the word of this unique form of living for older people.
Grants and donations received to date have come from a wide variety of organisations, namely: Carlie & Jim Beard Trust Mayor of Palmerston North Lions Foundation
Lions Club of PN, Fitzherbert
John B S Dudding Trust
Kia Toa Trust
Thomas Richard Moore Trust
Olive Tree Trust
The Square Trust
Lions Club of Ashhurst Pohangina
Bunnings Warehouse
Empire Establishment
Princess Tavern Sporting Trust
Community Services Council
Central Energy Trust
Manawatu Town & Country Lions
Millennium Sports Foundation
Unison Trust
Eastern & Central Community Trust
Many anonymous donations have also been gratefully received.
Now, seven years on the hard work and frustrations are poised to pay off. The first sod of soil was turned by Mayor, Heather Tanguay in April 2007 and construction of Abbeyfield Roslyn House commenced, made possible by the generous agreement from the NZ Army to providing carpentry, electrical and plumbing labour – free of charge. It is only with this offer that the house has been able to be built this year. The value of the labour is estimated at $300,000; a vast saving for the society.
Facilitation and advice has been given by the NZ Housing Foundation, and by Housing New Zealand Corporation.
§ house design - Chapple Consulting
§ construction project management – Chapple Consulting
§ labour – NZ Army School of Engineering
§ landscaping – planned to involve volunteers from service clubs and friends of Abbeyfield. (Some friends are already growing seedlings for the garden)
§ estimated construction completion – prior to Christmas
§ residents – 10 older and alone people
§ live-in housekeeper – 1
§ relief housekeeper – 1 or 2
As with most volunteer organizations, the committee members are also individually involved with a number of other charities. Their commitment, friendship and hard work has made all the difference in establishing the first Abbeyfield in Palmerston North; the tenth in New Zealand.
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Mayor Tanguay starts the construction phase, supervised by a member of the Armed forces who will be constructing the House as a training exercise by their apprentice training school. |
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This view gives some indication of the unusual "L" shaped site |
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