A lifetime with Resthaven

Mrs Lilian ‘Rosalie’ Trenerry (93) made the move to Resthaven Mitcham in February 2023, although, her history with the organisation stretches back a lifetime.

‘I have been with the Methodist Church my whole life! I grew up in Crystal Brook, and my father was a farmer and a preacher at our local church. My mother had a lot to do with the community as well, and so my eight siblings and I fell into it,’ Mrs Trenerry explains.

When she was five years old, in 1935, the Methodist Church established Resthaven, and the relationship grew from there.

Marrying at 20 years of age, Mrs Trenerry and her late husband, Roger, moved within South Australia for his work as an engineer. They lived in several regional towns before relocating to Lower Mitcham with their family.

Raising four children kept Mrs Trenerry busy, however, when the older children were starting their careers, she was able to devote her time outside home.

‘I would have been in my mid-40s when the minister of our church, Westbourne Park Uniting Church, offered me a position on the Resthaven Board.’

‘Resthaven was quite small back then, certainly nothing comparable to what it is today. I went to a lot of meetings, checked timesheets—that sort of thing. I became heavily involved in the back end for a while.’

Over time, Resthaven grew into the organisation it is today, offering the full range of aged care services across South Australia.

Now, as a resident, Mrs Trenerry says, ‘It was a difficult move for me, it is for anyone, but I had faith in the organisation that I grew with all those years ago, and they haven’t let me down.’

‘If you’re going to move into residential care, this is the place you want to be.’

Thank you for sharing your lifetime association with Resthaven, Mrs Trenerry!