Blunt scissors could not thwart the ribbon-cutting that marked the opening of the Moxon Centre. Sir David Moxon and Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley did the honours.
The Moxon Centre at St Andrew’s retirement village was officially opened on Friday, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
On hand to cut the ribbon was the centre’s namesake, Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon, former Anglican Bishop of Waikato and former Primate and Archbishop of the New Zealand Dioceses of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Sir David told the crowd that he was humbled and proud that the centre bore his name, reminding them that in the Bible elderly people were regarded as valuable members of society. “Their experience, insight, wisdom and grace are a gift in a community,” he said, adding that to be with the elderly is to be in touch with a treasury of wisdom.
He also shared with the audience the seven principles of aging well, which he said were embodied in the Moxon Centre. Maintain a positive attitude; watch what you eat; exercise regularly if you are able; stay social; keep good company; protect yourself from the sun, cold and damp; and get plenty of sleep were all crucial to maintaining a good quality of life, he said.
Board chair of the not-for-profit Selwyn Trust, Dr Kay Hawk, addressed the assembled crowd at the opening of the Moxon Centre.
Selwyn Foundation chief executive, Garry Smith, said the $14M, three-storied facility represents the ‘Selwyn Way’, which aims to take care of people through all stages of their care.
“We’re extremely proud to be opening this wonderful development at our Selwyn St Andrew’s village. The Moxon Centre will provide our residents with on-site residential care services for the first time ever, meaning they won’t need to move out of the village if their health or support needs change over time. It also offers exciting new social facilities for all our residents to enjoy and – new for Cambridge – retirement living in stylish, top floor apartments,” Mr Smith said.
In addition to providing a new care option in Cambridge, the Moxon Centre has also created 25 new jobs for the local community.
