The foundation stone of Ross Home, the oldest Presbyterian Support-owned care home in New Zealand, was laid in 1918.
The land in Northeast Valley Ross Home is situated on was donated by Sir John Ross, his gift
dependent on money being raised to support a home for the aged.
That was forthcoming, and in subsequent years Ross Home has grown to encompass five areas and 10 cottages,Today it is home to 124 residents, and on Saturday the oldest, 103-year-old Rod Madill, cut Ross Home’s birthday cake, assisted by Tom Ross — the great-grandson of Sir John Ross.
"Over the years Ross Home has had 10 matrons or managers and hundreds of staff, a good number of whom have worked here for a decade or more," Presbyterian Support Otago board chairman David Richardson said.
"One thing that is very important at Ross Home is a sense of community," Mr Richardson said.
"We are part of the community of Northeast Valley — the door is open, the cafe here is used by everybody and residents are encouraged to participate in the community."
Saturday’s function brought together two relics of the 1918 foundation stone ceremony. Tom Ross brought a memorial trowel presented to his great-grandfather that day, while Ross Home resident John Allen brought a trowel presented to his grandfather, Andrew Cameron, the moderator of the Presbytery of Dunedin, at the same event.
