
Latest News


70 years of marriage for Mr and Mrs Cocks
On 17 May, two residents of Resthaven Marion will celebrate a significant milestone anniversary, and they are still as loved-up as they were 70-years-ago. Mr Robert ‘Bob’ and Mrs Audrey ‘Rae’ Cocks met in 1950, at John Martins department store, where they both worked. Mr Cocks remembers, ‘We worked together – I was in sales, … Continued

‘Men on the Move’ take on Mt Lofty Summit
Resthaven Marion Community Services Therapy Assistant, Bruce Hocking, shares the ‘Men on the Move’s’ latest excursion to Mt Lofty Summit, organised by Social Group Coordinator, Monika Lyckholm. Bruce says, ‘On 28 April, with nine fellows boarding the Resthaven mini bus, and a few cars, the ‘Men on the Move’ proceeded to Mt Lofty via Blackwood … Continued

Community Garden Club welcome Bunnings donation
On Tuesday 3 May, Resthaven Northern Community Services, welcomed a special visit from staff at Bunnings, Munno Para West. As part of their Bunnings Community Program, they came along with much-needed gifts for the Community Garden Club on-site, to be able to continue the great work they have been doing. Assistant Manager, Kelly Ainsworth, says, … Continued

It shouldn’t happen to a VET
On 27 April, Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services clients gathered at Millicent Library, for a thought-provoking reading, ‘It shouldn’t happen to a VET, should it?’, written by fellow client, and Vietnam veteran, Mr Terry Bywaters. Beginning with morning tea, Resthaven clients from both Millicent and Mount Gambier started their day enjoying a delicious spread. ‘We … Continued

Mrs Philp eases her way to 100
On 9 May, Resthaven Malvern resident, Mrs Mary Philp, reaches her 100th milestone – owing it all to her family. ‘We have always been close. I grew up in Port Adelaide with my parents, and my maiden aunts lived right next door!’ ‘We had a great time together, all of us. Sunday nights were picture … Continued

Four-legged volunteers ‘bark’ joy to residents
Resthaven Paradise’s own canine volunteer, Shadow, ‘barks’ joy to residents each week, accompanied by his owner, and Resthaven volunteer, Russell Dahms. ‘Shadow is my nine-year-old male Siberian husky, who loves meeting new people during our pet therapy sessions,’ Russell explains. Russell and Shadow ‘We started volunteering with Resthaven Paradise in July [2021]. The staff and … Continued

‘The day I started, is the day I fell in love,’ says Robyn
‘The day I started working in aged care, is the day I fell in love with it,’ says Home Support Worker, Robyn Jones. ‘I have been working in the aged care sector for around 20 years, a lot of that being in residential care.’ ‘It’s the conversations that I have with older people that has … Continued

‘Men on the Move’ take a railroad trip down memory lane
On 21 April, Resthaven Marion Community Services social group, Men on the Move, joined the Noarlunga Model Railroaders Club (NMRC) for the morning, the first group to visit since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. NMRC has been run by volunteer modellers since 1989, starting out from the shed of a member’s house. Now, due to the … Continued

A chance to share what I love
Independent Retirement Living resident, Mrs Josephine ‘Josie’ Wilson, is happily sharing her talent with the community at Resthaven Bellevue Heights. Having joined the Resthaven community back in 2014, Josie soon found an opportunity to not only bring joy to those around her, but to herself. ‘I have been a classical pianist since I was 5 … Continued

Veterans in focus
On ANZAC Day, we have the opportunity to show our respect for the many sacrifices and contributions made by veterans and their families to our country and our way of life. As the veteran community ages, a proportion have complex care needs that require additional, more intensive support. When a veteran has a need, support … Continued

‘From Southern Cross to Concorde’, a veteran’s journal
On 3 August 1930, Mr Neil Player Pearson was born in Pinnaroo, South Australia, spending much of his life serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. Mr Pearson’s daughter, Dian Naraniecki, shares his story with us on Anzac Day, through adapted notes from her father’s journal, reflecting on his time in service. ‘He typed it … Continued

100-year-old advice from Mrs Young
On 21 April, resident, Mrs Margaret Young, celebrates her 100th birthday with family at leafy Resthaven Leabrook. Mrs Young was born in the Memorial Hospital in Adelaide in 1922. ‘I grew up with three brothers and one sister, and my father was a doctor.’ She enjoyed school, excelling in her English studies. ‘I graduated high … Continued

‘Always look on the bright side,’ says Joan
On 15 April, Resthaven Community Respite Services client, Mrs Joan Richardson, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends. Growing up in Prospect with her parents and three siblings, Joan remembers the hardship of the Great Depression. Times were difficult then – hard work meant everything. Joan’s father worked for the Railways and no … Continued

Marg assists with breast cancer recovery
On Mother’s Day, we recognise the important work that many local communities provide to women everywhere. The Zonta Club of Fleurieu Peninsula is just one of many clubs in Zonta International, who believe in supporting women’s issues and advocating for women’s rights. Resthaven Chiton Retirement Living resident, Marg Dent, has been a proud ‘Zontian’ since … Continued

The season of Lent
It is nearly Easter, and we are in the season of Lent. The colour for Lent is purple, which is symbolic of a time of reflection and prayer. I encourage staff, residents, volunteers and families to put on some reflective music, and enjoy a time of peace and relaxation, free from worries. As Easter approaches … Continued

On Good Friday
Easter is time of celebrating new life and renewal, of life coming out of death. This is especially pertinent at this time, with nations brutally at war overseas, and devastating natural disasters here at home. All this on top of our third year of a global pandemic. As the days lengthen, the mornings are dark, … Continued

‘Volunteering opened a door for me that had been shut,’ says Elaine
Elaine Crettenden enjoys her time volunteering with Resthaven Bellevue Heights, and her long association with the organisation stretches back to 1986, when her late husband, Ron, was appointed as a member of the Resthaven Board. ‘Ron and I were married in 1982,’ Elaine explains. ‘Before meeting him, I was a single mother, and worked full-time … Continued

Making a difference for clients with Parkinson’s Disease
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, with the United Nations’ World Parkinson’s Day recognised on 11 April each year. Occupational Therapist, Ros Wren, with Mr Bill Day Resthaven provides ongoing support to clients who live with the disease, and Resthaven Northern Community Services is making impressive strides. Occupational Therapist, Rosalind Wren, recognised a need for a … Continued

Visiting Arrangements at Residential Care Homes
We are pleased to announce that, effective Friday 11 March, normal visiting arrangements have been reinstated at all Resthaven residential aged care homes. There are no restrictions on the number of visits per resident per day, or number of visitors. However, physical distancing requirements must still be maintained. Visiting hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: … Continued

The man behind the cave garden in the Umpherston Sinkhole
Mr Kenneth ‘Ken’ Norton was born on 12 August 1929, not yet knowing the integral role he would play in the formation of the cave garden in the Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier. Mr and Mrs Ken and Elizabeth Norton The sinkhole was formed by geological processes over a long period of time. Originally a … Continued