• Testimonials

    A milestone 46-year career with Resthaven

    This year, Resthaven Malvern Housekeeping Services Assistant, Lesley Wimbles, celebrates a record 46 years of service with Resthaven. Like all great stories, Lesley’s milestone achievement has a humble beginning. Back in 1977, her neighbour offered her a short-term job to work the “tea shifts” at Resthaven Malvern. Lesley explains: ‘The Resthaven Malvern matron, Barbara, lived … Continued

    Donna’s Home Support Worker role

    Since leaving her insurance job to join Resthaven as a Home Support Worker, Donna Felce hasn’t looked back. Donna, who made the bold career move only a short time ago, says, ‘I spent 15 years in insurance – before that, payroll and banking.’ ‘My daughter was doing a nursing degree, and we talked about the … Continued

    Family carer, Stephanie, shares her story during National Carers Week

    When Stephanie’s mum had a stroke aged 75, her daughter, Stephanie had to step in – dramatically changing the family dynamic, and her mother’s and Stephanie’s day-to-day life, forever. In recognition of National Carers Week (16–22 October), Stephanie shares the story of how Resthaven Community Respite Services not only supported her mum following this life-changing … Continued

    Happy and satisfied with Resthaven

    Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills & Fleurieu Community Services client, Mr Leslie Newton (92), recently contacted Resthaven Head Office to pass on some wonderful feedback about the services he receives. Mr Newton, who is supported by Resthaven to live independently in his own home in Strathalbyn, says, ‘I am really happy and satisfied with Resthaven.’ ‘Three … Continued

    ‘When I need quiet time, I go to Resthaven,’ says client

    Nancy and Nadia have found a close friendship through social groups offered to them at Resthaven Paradise and Eastern Community Services. When visiting Nancy and Nadia at Resthaven’s newest respite house, Alexandra Cottage, it was clear that these two friends are ‘joined at the hip’. ‘We met about a year ago, through Ladies Group, which … Continued

    Mr and Mrs Sykes stay together thanks to Resthaven


    Resident, Mr Stan Sykes, couldn’t have been happier to get into Resthaven Bellevue Heights when he did, to stay t ...

    ‘Four years ago, in October, my wife fell and broke her leg and arm at the same time – fell badly. A room became vacant here for her.’ Not wanting to be apart, Stan then applied for a residential aged care place at Resthaven Bellevue Heights and was delighted when a place became available. ‘I … Continued

    ‘Aged care is a dynamic sector to work in’, says Annie

    Annie McColl lives out the benefits of working in aged care every day, through her extensive knowledge in the ever-growing sector. Having worked in the industry for thirty years, Annie has gained varied experience and knowledge in the aged care industry, currently working as Care Coordinator at Resthaven Leabrook. ‘I am involved in different areas … Continued

    A career in aged care? Yes!

    Meet Brock Muller, 25, who challenges the stereotypical attitude that aged care is not a workplace for young people. Brock has worked as a personal care assistant at Resthaven Mount Gambier for three years, and brings with him youthful enthusiasm and a willingness to learn from the older people he supports. Brock says, ‘I believe … Continued

    Home Support Worker Desma makes a difference

    Desma Jenke, Home Support Worker with Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services, is making a difference in the lives of older people across the south east, supporting them to live independently in their own homes, or enjoy a short stay in Resthaven’s Naracoorte respite cottage. Desma, who has worked in the role for around eight years, … Continued

    The ‘immense personal satisfaction’ of an aged care career

    Working in aged care will give you ‘immense personal satisfaction,’ according to Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services Home Support Worker, Katrina Miller. ‘I’ve been in the south east for 25 years,’ she says, ‘And for most of it, I worked in a wine manufacturing laboratory.’ ‘But honestly, it was boring, and I realised that I … Continued

    Resthaven funds scholarships to develop the future workforce

    Resthaven actively works to position aged care as a career destination for people seeking long and secure jobs that make a difference. A tangible demonstration of this commitment is to offer a range of scholarships for university students in relevant disciplines to encourage them to consider aged care careers. With a value of up to … Continued

    Resthaven supports older people to live independently


    ‘I enjoy life very much’, says John

    Resthaven Northern Community Services supports older people living in the northern suburbs to live independently in their own homes. One of these is Mr John Nimmo, who cannot praise his service enough, saying ‘my independence is very important to me’. Amongst the many services that Resthaven Northern Community Services provides, John is especially thankful for … Continued

    ‘Thank you’ from 21 year old Resthaven scholarship recipient

    Third year Bachelor of Physiotherapy student, 21 year old Liam McCabe, is a wonderful example of how the Resthaven 80th anniversary scholarship program benefits not just students, but the future aged care workforce, and older people requiring support. Liam says, ‘I am in my third year of Physiotherapy (Hons) at the University of South Australia.’ … Continued

    Resthaven scholarships shape lives, futures

    One of the ways in which Resthaven supports the future aged care workforce is through the provision of scholarships at all three major South Australian universities. These were funded in celebration of Resthaven’s 80th anniversary in 2015 and continue. The current group of scholarship recipients from the University of South Australia share their thoughts on … Continued

    ‘Thank You’ from a family

    A family recently reached out to the Resthaven Paradise and Eastern Community Services team to thank them for the ‘calm and professional support’ provided to their parents by Coordinator, Jane Sweeney. The family wrote: ‘In conjunction with my parents, we initially interviewed several home care providers to set up a Home Care Package.’ ‘We were … Continued

    ‘Thank you’ from a family

    The wife of a Resthaven Aberfoyle Park resident has contacted Resthaven to thank staff for their ‘caring, friendly’ approach in their support of her husband. ‘My husband is a resident, and we can’t speak highly enough about every department of this excellent nursing home,’ she says. ‘It was emotionally difficult for him to move from … Continued

    ‘Your staff are wonderful’

    Resthaven Leabrook was recently contacted by a family to thank staff for the care of their parents. The family said, ‘Our family would like to express our thanks for the care shown to our parents while in your Leabrook facility.’ ‘The entire staff went above and beyond to help them settle in, get to know … Continued

    Flexibility and Empathy in Palliative Care

    Resthaven Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Peter Jenkin, says that ‘flexibility and empathy are just as important as technical skills when it comes to providing good end of life care’. Peter, who has worked as a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner at Resthaven for almost nine years, reflects on several occurrences in the early 1990s, which steered … Continued