‘Like having hundreds of grandparents!’ Why Grace has chosen a hospitality career at Resthaven
Forging a career in hospitality, Grace Melville, 23, is very pleased to have chosen to work with Resthaven Port Elliot.
A Housekeeping Services Assistant since 2023, Grace says that working with Resthaven has provided her with stable, sustainable employment in hospitality – an industry that offers opportunities, flexible hours, and schedules.
‘The hours are better, and the roster is steadier,’ Grace says.
‘I don’t have to work into the early hours of the morning (like I was doing at my fast-food job). In fact, my late shift finishes at 7pm, which means that I can still socialise with my friends or go home for dinner with my family.’
Grace also enjoys the environment, where she is able to make connections with the residents and feels a sense of satisfaction in serving them a tasty, nutritious meal.
‘I left my previous job because it felt impersonal,’ Grace says. ‘I was looking for more interaction with the people I serve and hoping to develop connections through more regular contact. That’s exactly what I have here at Resthaven.’
A typical tea shift for Grace includes preparing the dining room by setting the tables with cutlery, water jugs and glasses, and preparing other drinks. She then gets the bain-maries ready and at the start of the meal she serves the soup and the bread, before moving on to the mains and dessert. Tea and coffee are then also offered.
For residents who would prefer to eat in their rooms, Grace arranges their meal trays and delivers their food to them.
‘It’s a nice job,’ Grace says. ‘You get to know the residents because you see them regularly – it’s like having hundreds of grandparents!’
‘Making people happy by serving them a good meal, with a smile and some kind words, is what I enjoy doing. It only takes a second to show that you care, and it’s nice to be able to make sure people are enjoying themselves.’
Living in Hayborough, Grace is close to the home and says that working locally provides her a strong sense of community.
‘When families come to visit, they are often people I might see at the shops or walking down the street,’ Grace says. ‘One of the residents was even my neighbour before he moved in here!’
Grace’s story is one of many examples of Resthaven hospitality staff making a difference in the lives of older people.
Resthaven employs more than 3,500 staff across 50 locations in South Australia — discover our current job vacancies and find your future career today.