Resthaven Fleurieu Community Services

With Resthaven already offering home care in the Fleurieu through Resthaven Murray Bridge and Hills Community Services for many years, further funding provided the prime opportunity to formalise presence in the area. In June 2010, a small in-home care provider, Strathalbyn Country Care, approached Resthaven to take over its operations. Following a due diligence process, Resthaven commenced operations at Unit 2/3 Donald Street, Strathalbyn.

On 14 January 2014, Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, announced that Resthaven was to receive approximately $1.2 million extra per year in Commonwealth Home and Community Care (HACC) funding, resulting in new services to more than 300 people. A portion of this funding was allocated to Resthaven Murray Bridge and Hills Community Services, allowing extra services to be delivered in the locality.

With the opening of the Resthaven Port Elliot residential aged care home on 14 May 2015, the opportunity was also taken to create another outreach office for home care services. The heritage-listed old schoolhouse was renovated for this purpose, as well as becoming a wellness and activity centre. To reflect this further expansion, the home care service was renamed Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services.

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With increasing demand for home care services in the region, in late 2016 Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services relocated to a larger premise at 9 Rankine Street, Strathalbyn. Formerly a restaurant, the repurposed building cost $1.1 million to refurbish. The office housed staff from the Mount Barker office, which had recently closed after eight years, as well as staff who were previously working from the office in Donald Street, Strathalbyn.

On 27 February 2017, locals and dignitaries flocked to the hills for the official opening of the new Strathalbyn office, which was followed by a public Open Day. It was noted that the new office provided much-needed space for extra group programs and activities, with extra staff hired to coordinate high-quality in-home support services.

On 3 April 2017, the inaugural Southern Fleurieu Parkinson’s Support Group commenced at the ‘Old Schoolhouse’ office in Port Elliot. Run in collaboration with Parkinson’s SA, the group was the only one of its kind in the area.

On 2 December 2018, Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services received a brand-new office at 37 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge. The purpose-built $1.6 million building was an exciting outcome of the two-year redevelopment of Resthaven Murray Bridge. Located adjacent to the residential aged care home on the northern edge of the site, the centralised office operated all community activities at Murray Bridge.

From 1 July 2021, due to structural changes resulting from the aged care reforms, Alexandrina Council transferred its Commonwealth Home Support Program packages to Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services. Resthaven partnered with the YMCA to support continued access for clients transferring from the Alexandrina Council.

In July 2021, Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services expanded, opening a much-needed additional outreach office at 1 Loveday Street, Goolwa. With high demand due to the age of the local population, the office was purchased to support a growing number of clients in the area.

With continued high demand for services, in June 2022, Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services expanded with a new office at Victoria Street, Victor Harbor. At the same time, a new respite house was purchased, located close to the beach at 1-3 Newland Street, Victor Harbor. The cottage, named ‘Newland House’, underwent several months of renovation.

On 14 September 2022, Resthaven Executive Manager Sue McKechnie cut the ‘opening ribbon’ for the new respite cottage, Newland House. Providing day and overnight stays for older people, the respite service was designed to give family carers a break from their caring role whilst their loved one is cared for by qualified staff. With small group respite groups held during the day, clients benefit from activities, games, and delicious meals.

Resthaven assumed operation of home care packages in the Fleurieu from another aged care provider, further expanding home care services to regional areas such as Yankalilla, Normanville, and Second Valley. To introduce Resthaven’s presence in this area for the first time, Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services staff attended the Yankalilla Show on 30 September 2023.

With home care packages increasing across regional areas and showing no sign of slowing down, planning was undertaken regarding the future of Resthaven Murray Bridge, Hills and Fleurieu Community Services. It was decided to separate the service and create two regional services: Resthaven Murray Mallee Hills Community Services and Resthaven Fleurieu Community Services. In effect from 1 March 2024, the gradual separation had minimal impact on clients, with both services fully operational by 1 July 2024. Resthaven Murray Mallee Hills Community Services’ primary (and only) office was Murray Bridge. For Resthaven Fleurieu Community Services, the Strathalbyn office became the primary office, with outreach offices in Goolwa, Port Elliot, and Victor Harbor.

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