On Friday, 28 February, Resthaven held its 2025 Excellence Awards. The event recognised and celebrated Resthaven’s staff and volunteers, and the valuable and important work they do to contribute to the outstanding care and support of older people and their carers. Held at the Wolf Blass Centre, Morphettville, almost 300 people attended the event, including … Continued
‘Wellness’ is a term that we hear a lot these days – and with good reason. The deliberate pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyle habits that improve our holistic health can lead to greater feelings of fulfillment and a better quality of life – something that is important at any age. Resthaven supports older people … Continued
With Resthaven Marion kitchen staff more than halfway through their training with the Maggie Beer Foundation’s Mentor Program, the team are using their new skills and knowledge to continue to improve the food and dining experience at the aged care home at 10 Township Road, Marion. ‘We are always looking at ways we can improve … Continued
In late September, eight teams of six Resthaven employees put their heads together to join in the Resthaven Team Talent Showcase. An initiative of Resthaven CEO, Darren Birbeck, this is the second year the event has been held. ‘Last year’s event exceeded our expectations,’ Darren says. ‘Everyone had a great time developing their skills and … Continued
After a change in her circumstances, Merenia Vince found herself in the position of wanting to get back into her trained profession as an Occupational Therapist (OT). But, after being out of the industry for around eight years, it wasn’t as simple as just applying for a new role. ‘Even as someone who had been … Continued
Resthaven’s Executive Manager Clinical Governance & Operational Excellence, Tina Cooper, will retire from her position as of 16 December 2024. A strong and dedicated member of Resthaven’s senior team for the past 15 years, Tina leaves a legacy of clinical excellence and advocacy for older people. Her influence on sector-wide policy and best practice was … Continued
Resthaven has welcomed international nurses to its workforce, with five nurses recently making the life-changing move from their home countries to Australia as part of Resthaven’s international sponsorship of skilled overseas workers. The nurses have recently completed a seven-day intensive onboarding process to learn Resthaven’s practices, as well as find out information about nursing in … Continued
With Spiritual Care Week being held from 20-26 October, Dr Louise Townend, Coordinating Chaplain at Resthaven Port Elliot, wants people to know that everyone is spiritual – and that spirituality doesn’t have to be religious, or associated with organised religion. Spirituality has to do with heart, feeling and experience, and Louise encourages residents at Resthaven … Continued
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, … Continued
Dedication, trust and care – three words that capture the 45-year career of Resthaven’s Housekeeping Services Assistant, Gina Pedoulias. The second-only employee in Resthaven history to have completed 45 years of service, Gina says that many things have changed since she first joined Resthaven at the age of 15, but that the one constant has … Continued
In 2017, Esteban Rodriguez, Resthaven Recruitment Business Partner, moved from Colombia to Australia seeking better opportunities. While it was a challenging time for him, Esteban says the experience gave him a new perspective and encouraged him to find ways to support others at every opportunity. ‘I am really proud of what I have done and … Continued
Gaining knowledge, forming strong relationships and taking on new roles, Gillian has worked across several sites and in multiple positions – all culminating in her current role as Project Officer for Resthaven’s Staying at Home in Regional South Australia program. The program offers short-stay respite care, where a person living with dementia, along with their … Continued
Nina Corlett, one of Resthaven’s Coordinating Chaplains, has recently returned from the trip of a lifetime – taking The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide. During her journey, she enjoyed some well-earned downtime and advocates that everyone takes these moments to find rejuvenation and renewed energy. She says: ‘I’ve recently returned from an amazing trip on … Continued
After cutting the hair of Resthaven residents and clients for 45 years, Jan Beattie says it’s the relationships that matter most. A former salon owner, Jan clearly remembers the day she walked into the aged care home to enquire about work. ‘In 1979 I visited and spoke to the Matron Dulcie Miller about a hairdressing … Continued
Picture this if you can: 131kg of potatoes, 217 dozen eggs, 74 loaves of bread. It might seem like a lot, but this is just a snapshot of the daily shopping list for Michael Burton (Resthaven’s Corporate Coordinator Hospitality Services – Food and Dining Lead) for meals at Resthaven’s 12 aged care homes across South … Continued
With over a decade working in the aged care sector, Resthaven’s Chantelle Kake is taking on a newly created role with open arms. Chantelle’s new position, Residential Operations Manager, supports Resthaven to respond to increasingly complex compliance responsibilities and promotes continuity of care for Resthaven residents. ‘One of the first projects I’m working on is … Continued
When Resthaven Riverland Community Services social worker, Leah Harris, first met client, Shay Richardson, she was homeless and sleeping in a van in her sister’s driveway. ‘I thought to myself “This can’t be the rest of my life” but for a long time, it was,’ Shay says. Leah helped her to get a place, and … Continued
A life-changing decision for Keta A decision to clean out the garage one weekend has led to a life-changing decision for Resthaven Home Support Worker, Keta Nkhungu. ‘We simply had so many good-quality items that we no longer needed,’ Keta says. ‘I thought to myself, in the Congo, people would find a use for these … Continued
With new allied health workers on staff at Resthaven Western Community Services, clients now have an even greater range of services available to them at the Woodville Road site. ‘We offer in-home support services, exercise and social groups for older people in the western suburbs,’ Karen Hammond, Western Community Services Manager says. ‘Our allied health … Continued
On 5 July 2024, almost 100 Resthaven staff were honoured for their long service milestones at the annual Resthaven Staff Appreciation Awards luncheon held at the Adelaide Pavilion. The Resthaven Staff Appreciation Awards, held every year since 1993 (excluding 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), celebrate staff who have completed their service milestones in increments … Continued