House left to Tapanui rest home sells

The three-bedroom home on Cemetery Road, in Tapanui, was put on the market earlier this year after its owner and long-time resident Bill Henderson died at the end of 2022.

Henderson bequeathed his entire estate, including his home of 20 years, to the West Otago Health Trust, which administers the assets of the medical centre and nearby rest home, earmarking it specifically for the Ribbonwood Country Home.

The former forestry workers home, which is on the outskirts of the Tapanui township and has a breathtaking rural outlook, passed in at auction in September and an asking price of $279,000 was then put on it.

A month later it was snapped up for $275,000 – just under the asking price and significantly more than its 2020 RV of $210,000.

Ray White Gore listing agent Nicole Cronin said the property was purchased as a project by a local first-home buyer.

The property was described in the listing as having plenty of potential for someone to stamp their mark on it, while also making a positive contribution to the local community.

Residents had all been pleased to see the sold sign going up, she said, because they knew it meant that the rest home would now get the well-timed funding boost.

“Everyone is just so grateful. It’s such an amazing gift.”

Cronin, who is also on the West Otago Health Trust board, said the trust was very happy with the result.

In July this year, a new wing with five new beds was added to the rest home bumping the total number of beds to 19.

The additional beds meant that the rest home would now be able to provide palliative/respite care for people in the town rather than them having to travel out of the district.

The Cemetery Road property settled two weeks ago, and the trust expected the money from the estate to land in its account any day.

The Ribbonwood extension had been paid for through fundraising efforts and raised capital so Henderson’s contribution would help ease the pressure, Cronin said. “This is a huge boost.”

Henderson was well known in the town and ran the Gallery One Café with his partner from the former bank building until their retirement about 10 years ago. He was also involved in the theatrical society.

 – OneRoof