Resthaven Officially Turns 85

On 11 May, 2020, Resthaven officially celebrates 85 years of high quality care and support to older South Australians and their carers.

‘Rest Haven’ was officially opened at Brighton, on 11 May, 1935, by Lady Isabel Kidman, wife of the famous pastoralist, Sir Sidney Kidman.

Resthaven’s humble roots were borne out of the Great Depression, when the Methodist Church embarked on a new ‘home mission’ for elderly people who had no home or family to care for them. Many of these people relied on Christian charity in order to survive.

The name ‘Rest Haven’ was chosen as it evoked ‘feelings of safety, serenity and rest in life’s eventide’.

Following the opening of ‘Rest Haven’ at Brighton, demand for Resthaven’s services grew, necessitating the purchase of a larger property, ‘Shirley Gardens,’ late in 1935.

This property, which then accommodated eighteen women, soon became too small, and a larger property was purchased at Leabrook, on the corner of Glynburn and Kensington Roads. Resthaven Leabrook still stands today, although it has undergone many extensions and transformations since those early days.

Resthaven now supports more than 2,500 older people in high quality residential aged care homes at Aberfoyle Park, Bellevue Heights, Craigmore, Leabrook, Marion, Malvern, Mitcham, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Port Elliot, Paradise, and Westbourne Park.

Resthaven Community Services also support around 10,000 older people to live independently in their own homes across metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Fleurieu Peninsula, Riverland and Limestone Coast.

From little things, big things grow!

Happy birthday, Resthaven.