History

In the early years of South Australia's history, services for elderly people were very limited. Many relied on Christian charity in order to survive.

During the Great Depression, the Methodist Church embarked on a new home mission for the many elderly people who had served the Church all their lives yet had no home or family to care for them as they became more elderly and frail. The Methodist Conference of 1932 gave approval for a home for elderly ladies to be established at Brighton, and known as ‘Rest Haven’. It was officially opened on May 11, 1935. Later that year, a large home, ‘Shirley Gardens’ (pictured), was purchased at Payneham.

Demand for homes for the aged continued to grow. By 1944, the capacity of the home at Payneham was exceeded, and a new, larger property was purchased at what is Resthaven Leabrook today. View our historial footage below.

‘Resthaven’ continued to grow. The increasing number of elderly people seeking care prompted the establishment of further homes for both men and women at Malvern in 1953, Murray Bridge in 1957, Mitcham in 1961, Westbourne Park in 1967, Marion in 1974, Paradise in 1979, Bellevue Heights in 1980 and Bellara Village in 1992. Bellara was sold in 2000. Resthaven Craigmore was opened in August 2004, with the newest facility opening at Mt Gambier in July 2011.

Community Services offer in-home care and support to older people living throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland and the Limestone Coast.

Background

Resthaven was established in 1935 and was incorporated on 31 May, 1944. Originally known as ‘Resthaven, Methodist Home for Old Folk’, then  ‘Resthaven, Methodist Home for Aged Women Incorporated’, followed by ‘‘Resthaven, Methodist Home for the Aged’, it changed it’s name to Resthaven Incorporated on 20 August 1985.

For more information, read former Board President, Carole Davidson's reflections from her 75th Anniversary church service address, 21 March 2010. (PDF 74.7kb) Need help accessing PDF documents?

From Then 'til Now.
We hope you enjoy Resthaven's historical footage, produced to celebrate 75 years of outstanding care and support to older South Australians and their carers.

Resthaven Logo

The script of Resthaven’s logo has been used for more than thirty years, and was designed by the architects, Brown Falconer Group. Linking Resthaven as an agency of the Uniting Church, the emblem of the Uniting Church was added to the Resthaven typeface around 1990.

The Uniting Church was established on the 22 June 1977 – marking the ‘uniting’ of most Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches in Australia. For their launch, the new church developed it’s own logo.

The dark background of the Uniting Church logo emblem represents a darkened world. Upon this background is the cross of Christ, which symbolises the light that shines in the darkness. The dove with wings of a flame depicts the Holy Spirit, that which connects us to all that is. Underneath the cross and dove is a 'U' shape which can be described as the 'U' in Uniting or it can also be seen as representing a boat; we are on a journey, looking to the future, and our journey is one of uniting together with the ever present guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Resthaven co-brands with the UnitingCare logo on most marketing materials.

Uniting Church community service agencies collectively provide significant assistance to the Australian community. This was not well recognised by the Australian public. A differentiating brand name to represent the collective contribution of the Uniting Church agencies was needed. In 1996, UnitingCare became the brand name of the Uniting Church’s Australia wide network of care and advocacy - involving approximately 400 community services.

The work of UnitingCare is based on the ethos of honouring the dignity of all people, working towards the social good in community, restoring human relationships and advocating for those most disadvantaged in society. UnitingCare’s logo colours represent the Australian landscape.

www.unitingcare.org.au
www.sa.uca.org.au
www.uca.org.au
www.unitingpeople.org.au