In celebration of Resthaven’s 90th anniversary, and coinciding with South Australia’s History Festival (1-31 May), Resthaven has on 7 May 2025, launched its new ‘living history’ website: Resthaven: A History of Caring.
‘Resthaven’s history sits within South Australia’s wider experience,’ Darren Birbeck, Resthaven CEO says. ‘Our very foundation came as a result of the economic hardships and social challenges that South Australians were facing because of the Great Depression. It was a time when services for older people were scarce, and many relied on Christian charity to survive.’
A study of Resthaven’s history highlights how many of the names associated with Resthaven’s growth and evolution are also found in the annals of South Australia’s history. People such as Lady Isabel Kidman, the Gerard family, Mrs Lorna Playford (wife of Sir Thomas Playford), Heinrich Noske, Senator George McLeay, Prime Minister Bob Hawke, Geoff Bean AM and long-time CEO Richard Hearn AM, have all been involved with Resthaven in one form or another. Alongside of this are the changes seen in South Australia’s aged care sector and how the concept of ‘ageing at home’ has grown over the decades.
‘Resthaven has had a “front seat” to these changes,’ Darren says. ‘As a trusted leader in the sector, for many decades Resthaven has joined with others to petition both state and federal governments on issues concerning aged care.’
The website — Resthaven: A History of Caring — captures the history and innovation of Resthaven since its conception at the 1932 South Australian Methodist Conference and the opening of its first home in 1935, through to its current position as a leader in the aged care sector.
Utilising a scrolling chronological timeline format, the website drives the user to move through key moments in Resthaven’s history. The content is divided into ‘eras’ for easy navigation, highlighting the influences and features of each period. In some instances, users can click through for more information, transporting them deeper into the time and place of the action. A range of photographs, videos, building plans and newspaper clippings enhance the browsing experience.
Resthaven’s commitment to retaining and documenting its history has long been a priority, first partnering with the late historian Dr Rob Linn in the early 1990s. Resthaven’s first printed historical recollection in 1995 was Resthaven—the first sixty years, which was updated on two occasions over the next 25 years.
With permissions gained, Rob’s historical research and documentation formed the basis of digitising Resthaven’s history. In addition, Resthaven reached out to its community for their recollections of Resthaven’s historical events.
‘It’s been wonderful to speak with people and hear the rich and invaluable memories they have of Resthaven over the years,’ Darren says. ‘Above all, our history website is an evolving repository, and now that we have launched, we hope to hear even more from our community. It is a living history that will continue to evolve over time.’
Individuals are invited to use the contact form on the website to share their information about Resthaven’s history.
To view the website, simply visit www.history.resthaven.asn.au or navigate to the site from Resthaven Aged Care - South Australia.
About Resthaven
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.
