Letters to Editor 23 Oct
Joan Whiting Rest Home
I’d like to update the community on the situation concerning the Joan Whiting Rest Home (JWRH) and expansion proposals put forward by the Friends of Joan Whiting.
A brief discussion has been held with the Friends’ professional business adviser and it has been confirmed he will work on a business plan to present to the trust - at no cost to the trust.
It's important to emphasise that the JWRH trustees have made absolutely no commitments – but we remain ready to examine any proposal with an open mind.
Our position concerning possible involvement with the integrated health project remains unchanged and we have formally advised the Integrated Management Group (IMG) of that. That position includes a commitment, made in January, that the Joan Whiting Board will carry out its own consultation with the community. We are actively involved with the IMG and see no reason to change that.
Chris Mitson,
Chairperson, Joan Whiting Trust Board
I urge readers to have their say on this week’s GB Weekly poll, because right now we are in danger of losing out on the opportunity of a much improved rest home facility provided within the IMG plan.
The well meaning and sincere Friends of Joan Whiting unfortunately are confusing folks to believing it is possible to save the home. Unless these “Friends” have secured vast amounts of money to cover debts, overdrafts, new loans and yearly extra funding for Government-required upgrades (hundreds of thousands) and continued funding for 20 to 30 years to come, then the continuation of JWRH cannot be considered a viable option.
So if you decide to say “yes” to the Friends of Joan Whiting, just be sure that you are personally prepared to provide large amounts of funds over many years to come to keep it running.
The current trust board members must now publicly acknowledge they have no other choice but to support the IMG and work to get the best deal they can within that system.
As a community we must now decide what we are going to do about ensuring continued provision for the elderly of Golden Bay. There is no time left.
Anne Gentleman
In reply to Phil and Judy O'Connor’s letter (GBW 9/10), I share their concerns about the age of the Joan Whiting Rest Home, the size of the rooms and the long term sustainability.
I encouraged my Mum to move to Joan Whiting from a near-new, privately owned, purpose-built resthome/hospital complex in Richmond. The family suffered from huge uncertainty and apprehension about the move because of the “lowering of living standard” especially since she is a private-paying resident and fees would remain the same. However the level of care that our mother was receiving was unacceptable in terms of staff instability, lack of respect for individual needs due to insufficient staffing levels, lack of staff training and poor quality of food. The resthome had no heart and soul.
Over the past 18 months since Mum moved to her little room at Joan Whiting we have come to realise that loving care from well trained staff and good nutrition are far more important than the modern facilities.
Bricks and mortar do not make a home and I feel strongly that we must keep sight of the objective to provide a high standard of care for our frail elderly who are not “ill” just old. This means a homelike environment with the same standard of care that exists at Joan Whiting no matter where the facility is located.
I have recently become a Joan Whiting trustee but this is purely my personal opinion.
Kristeen Campbell
Bay Lit
I would like to express my appreciation and thanks for the encouragement and support given to writers of all ages in Golden Bay by the work of the Golden Bay Arts Council, the Mussel Inn by providing such an appropriate and inviting venue, and by the generosity of Lone Star Farms.
I always find this event a highlight which engenders a high level of enthusiasm and worthwhile work. It is inspiring to hear writing of the younger people and all attending gained much enjoyment from hearing all winning entries read aloud at the event. A big thank you,
Karen Brookes
Freedom campers
Concerning freedom campers and Anatori in particular - could the waste problem be solved by the placement of a ventilated toilet similar to the one at Farewell Spit? Having put the new one there, the old dunny should be demolished and filled in.
Zane Perry
Collingwood Library
The Collingwood Library Committee would like their members to know that opening hours have not changed. Tuesdays and Saturdays 11am-1pm. The notice on the front of the building is constantly being defaced by persons unknown, who should employ their talents elsewhere, perhaps reading a good book. As a voluntary group, we would also like to thank TDC for their latest grant.
Library Committee
Mountain Film Festival
The NZ Alpine Club's Mountain Film Festival was a great success in Takaka. Enthusiastic crowds enjoyed the five short films that gave a great taste of adventure in spectacular places ranging from the Patagonian ice-cap through the jungles of Venezuela to the vertical rock world of the Karakoram range in Pakistan. More than $800 raised goes to the NZ Alpine Club to assist with the work it does maintaining alpine huts, and some of that will come back to Golden Bay's Tramping Club. See you at next year's best-of the Wanaka Mountain Film Festival, brought by the NZ Alpine Club.
Beth Burdett
