Twenty-two years ago Ross Townsend bought Virginia Lodge Rest Home as a going concern and turned its fortunes around.
He restored the old villa, making vast improvements and much needed extensions. In 2013 the rest home achieved a rare four year audit pass.
Exactly 22 years after buying it, to the day, the husband and wife partnership of Ross Townsend and Marilyn Williamson sold the St John's Hill establishment to engaged couple Phil Tebbutt and Chris Findley. They took over on Friday, April 1.
Chris is from Whangarei and has a history in hospitality, horticulture, farming and caregiving.
"A very varied background," she says.