On Friday 24 October 2025, Resthaven Community Respite Services marked a special milestone — its 20th anniversary — with a celebration at Ridgway House in Westbourne Park. Clients from all Resthaven respite locations, along with their carers, were invited to the festivities, with more than 50 people attending the event. With a fun ‘country fair’ … Continued

Knitting is making a comeback (did it ever really go away?), and Resthaven Paradise resident Mrs Valerie (Val) Pearce knows a lot about the craft. In her younger days, living in Renmark, Val’s job was teaching others in the Riverland community how to master knitting machines. Self-employed as an agent for Brother Australia, Val demonstrated … Continued

Serving the church in many different capacities throughout her life, Resthaven Paradise resident Mrs Kathleen Smart has given much back to the community. Turning 100 on 25 November 2025, Kathleen is known for her warmth and generosity, as well as her sense of humour and commitment. She is the type of person who gets things … Continued

Everything old is new again – at least for Kennett Builders, who have been appointed as the contractor for stage 1 of the $100M Resthaven Marion site redevelopment. In a very ‘Adelaide’ turn of events, Kennett Builders built the original Resthaven Marion residential aged care home in the early 1970s. Now, more than fifty years … Continued

The intoxicating smell of roses filled the activity hall at Resthaven Paradise on Friday 7 November, as around 30 residents worked to create beautiful bouquets using flowers grown in the home’s garden. Assisted by the Lifestyle team and volunteer Kathleen, residents brought together roses, statice (sea lavender), and greenery to build their floral creations. Mrs … Continued

On Friday 24 October, Resthaven Craigmore residents, staff, and families came together to celebrate 90 remarkable years of Resthaven. With beautiful weather, the events for the day were held in the Flinders Garden at the site. Guests were welcomed by the sounds of the Playford International Guitar Ensemble, with students from the school playing a … Continued

Respite and carer support provides critical relief for many older Australians, reducing the need for permanent residential care and enabling people to live in their own homes longer. Many older people living at home do so with the unpaid support of their spouse, family or friends. This important support goes largely unnoticed in the community. … Continued

A natural entertainer with a fiery passion for football, Resthaven Marion resident Mrs Shirley Palmer (nee Holmes) celebrates her 100th birthday this month. Born on 16 November 1925 in Hyde Park, Shirley is the eldest of two children. Her father worked at the railway station, and her mother, born in Hamley Bridge, worked in the … Continued

Resthaven Bellevue Heights was filled with joy, colour and cultural pride last month when Resthaven Housekeeping Services Assistant, Grace Giles, put on a performance of traditional Philippine music and dance for residents. Grace, who was born in the Philippines, was joined by other members of the local Filipino community at Resthaven Bellevue Heights, who all … Continued

Last month, Resthaven Mount Gambier was transformed into a miniature showground – complete with craft displays, flower arrangements, games, visiting farm animals, and showbags. Inspired by the Mount Gambier Show, residents put their talents on display with baking, crochet, painting and drawing. To add to the entertainment, a photo booth and dress-ups were brought in, … Continued

Volunteer Ann Kesting joined the Resthaven Murray Mallee Hills Community Services team last year and has made an indelible impact. With over four decades of experience as a District Nurse and Community Mental Health Nurse, Ann is a natural fit for visiting older people in their homes. Ann commenced as a Volunteer with the Resthaven … Continued

Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client Mr Francis (Frank) Porter, 100, remembers clearly his part in the D Day landings at Normandy – actions that led to him receiving the Legion of Honour. It was June 1944, and Frank was a signalman on board the Royal Navy’s Tank Landing Craft 898. He and the crew were … Continued

Resthaven CEO Darren Birbeck is pleased to announce that Resthaven has been awarded ‘gold’ in the 2026 Reader’s Digest Quality Service Award for Home Care Services in South Australia/Northern Territory. ‘It is a great honour to receive this award, which recognises Resthaven as the leading provider of home care services in South Australia,’ Darren says. … Continued

It was a trip through time without leaving the car park for residents and staff when a shiny silver left-hand drive DeLorean pulled into Resthaven Aberfoyle Park on 23 October. Residents gathered around the iconic car, made famous by the Back to the Future movies, and were impressed by the work done by owner Daniel … Continued

On Friday, 10 October, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services clients came together to mark Resthaven’s 90th Anniversary, packing 90 comfort bags for donation to the Hutt Street Centre. Clients volunteered their time for this worthy cause, placing personal hygiene items, as well as a few luxury goods, into each bag, before enjoying a celebratory lunch. Carmen … Continued

How can we shape residential aged care to better match each person’s abilities, interests, and drive? That’s the challenge that Brooke Edwards, Resthaven’s new Wellness & Active Ageing Manager, is tackling. At the centre of Resthaven’s active ageing initiatives, individuals are supported to engage in the things that are most important to them,’ Brooke says. … Continued

From war-torn Netherlands to Adelaide, Resthaven Western Community Services client Koert Stijve, 91, has lived a life of resilience and adaptation. Born in the northern city of Groningen in 1934, Koert’s early childhood was one of happiness and contentment. His mother looked after the home and children, while his father owned a hairdressing salon, having … Continued