Limestone Coast ‘Tour’
From 8-10 July, Resthaven Board President, Mark Porter, and new Resthaven Chief Executive Officer, Darren Birbeck, toured Resthaven sites across the Limestone Coast to meet and speak with residents, clients, staff and volunteers.
Although Darren is a regular visitor to the southeast, it was the first official visit since his appointment as Resthaven CEO on 1 June, 2020.
The ‘tour’ began at Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services at 17 Gordon Street, Naracoorte where Mark and Darren chatted with staff and clients.
The pair then moved on to Resthaven Mount Gambier at 24 Elizabeth Street, Mt Gambier, where they joined in the annual ‘Christmas in July’ festivities, held every year at the home.
Manager Residential Services, Belle Kerr, says, ‘We were delighted to welcome Darren to our home as our new CEO, and hope he and Mark enjoyed our Christmas in July celebrations.’
‘Mark is a regular guest each year, and everyone was delighted to see him again. We are glad that Darren will be a regular visitor, too.’
Later that afternoon, Mark and Darren called in to the Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services office at 15B James Street, Mount Gambier.
Early on 9 July, Darren and Mark visited the Millicent office of Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services before returning to Mount Gambier to celebrate long-serving Resthaven staff in the southeast with a staff appreciation lunch at the Commodore on the Park restaurant.
The two special guests of honour were Kylie Long (Resthaven Mount Gambier) and Emily Ellis (Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services), who both reached their ten-year service milestones this year. Another ten-year award recipient, Cheryl Scanlon, was not able to attend and will receive her award certificate, badge and gift from Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services Manager, Liz Southall.
Darren and Mark thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the Resthaven communities across the Limestone Coast, and can’t wait to visit again soon.
Celebrating 85 years in 2020, Resthaven Incorporated is a not for profit, South Australian aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church.