Resthaven Marion celebrates 50th anniversary
Around 60 residents came together with staff, family members, volunteers and local dignitaries on Friday 27 September to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Resthaven Marion.
The event was opened by Rachael Musico, Resthaven Marion Manager Residential Services, who spoke about major events that had taken place at the residential aged care home over the years.
‘We’ve had visits from Prime Ministers (Bob Hawke), our first collaboration with the local Westminster school in the 1990s and also a television appearance on Australia by Design — Landscapes,’ Rachael says.
‘Resident Mrs Mary Garner, 103, remembers visiting the site when her mother was one of our very first residents. Her daughter now jokes that she could be the third generation to move into Resthaven, and that she should be eligible for a group discount!’
Resthaven CEO, Darren Birbeck, spoke about the history of innovation and collaboration at the site. ‘This is a great example of a Resthaven site that delivers all of our services from the one campus,’ Darren says.
‘Residential, community services, allied health and fitness classes, community respite and retirement living are all here, next to each other. Connections are a strong part of Resthaven and Resthaven’s history – and we see living examples of that here at Resthaven Marion.’
The first residents moved into Resthaven Marion at the end of 1974, and the home was officially opened on 13 April 1975. The home was made possible by Mrs May Hersey, who gifted two and a half acres of land in 1970. Resthaven Marion is the largest of Resthaven’s sites, and a major redevelopment is currently underway to bring facilities up to today’s standards and future expectations.
Coming up, Resthaven will also be celebrating other site milestones: the 80th anniversary of Resthaven Leabrook, 70th anniversary of Resthaven Malvern, 20th anniversary of Resthaven Craigmore and in 2025 the 90th anniversary of Resthaven, founded in 1935.