Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services

With additional funding granted in the southern suburbs, Resthaven Marion Community Services expanded to offer services in the Onkaparinga Council area. By July 2001, the Onkaparinga program was fully subscribed.

Having supported the southern region for many years, Resthaven Marion Community Services experienced huge growth in this service area, leading to the establishment of Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services at 165 Old South Road, Old Reynella. An official opening was held on 29 September 2005, with an Open Day to celebrate. Guests included clients and their families, as well as special guests Federal Member for Kingston Hon Kym Richardson and Mayor of Onkaparinga Ray Gilbert. The new service offered in-home care and support, respite for carers and social support groups.

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Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services received a grant from the Onkaparinga Council to create links between school students in the area and isolated community clients. In late 2005, Reynella South Primary School students and staff invited local clients and staff for a special luncheon. The highlight of the afternoon was a performance by the school Wakakirri group.

Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services partnered with Easy Moves for Active Aging (EMAA) to create an exercise class for clients. Held at a local community centre and run by a qualified EMAA fitness instructor, the classes promoted health and fitness for older people in the community, involving aerobics, strength work, and stretching.

In May 2010, the service relocated, moving into a new, larger office on the first floor of the Centro Colonnades shopping centre in Noarlunga. It was a welcome move, as staff had outgrown the former premises and the new office was much more central to the Onkaparinga Council area.

On 12 August 2010, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services enjoyed double the festivities, with the move to Noarlunga celebrated in conjunction with Resthaven's 75th Anniversary. A lovely afternoon tea was served to attending staff and clients, including a large anniversary cake that was cut by State Member for Reynell, Gay Thompson, and Resthaven Executive Manager Community Services, Sue McKechnie.

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On 20 June 2014, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services participated in the 'International Aged Care Open Day', with the office well-attended by clients and their families. The inaugural global event was organised by Aged & Community Services Australia (later known as ACCPA) to celebrate the positive work within the aged care sector.

On 27 November 2015, the 'Celebrating Centenarians' project was officially launched. Formed in collaboration with UniSA students and funded through an Office of the Ageing grant, the project involved creating ‘essence of life’ short films about Resthaven residents or clients aged over 100 years old. The project featured one client from Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services, Mrs Lillian Fernley.

On 24 May and 7 June 2017, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services held free information days with the aim of helping people through the 'maze of aged care services'. Guest speakers from Agedcare Alternatives, SAPOL, and a financial advisor took part in the sessions.

On 27 July 2017, the Channel 9News team dropped in to the Centro Colonnades shopping centre for a 'coffee and cake' morning with the public. Presenters Brenton Ragless and Kate Collins met with the Resthaven team, who proudly showed off the Resthaven table top decal in the food court and enjoyed speaking with members of the broader community about services on offer.

To maintain standards, the office underwent a modern fit out. However, the demand for services in the area was such that a larger premise was being sought.

To meet demand, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services became available to clients. With this, several new fitness groups were also introduced, including falls and balance classes and 'active ageing' activities.

In mid-2019, a new office was purchased for Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services at 3-5 James Clark Road, Noarlunga. Following a refurbishment, staff moved into the new, much larger premises on 18 November 2019.

Unfortunately, with the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic, the site’s planned celebrations on 27 March 2020 to mark Resthaven’s 85th Anniversary and celebrate the new office opening were not able to go ahead.

On 21 September 2021 (World Alzheimer’s Day), the site launched its ‘Making Minds Matter’ (MMM) cognitive stimulation therapy program. This evidence-based program provides purposeful activities for older people with mild to moderate dementia. Using cognitive stimulation therapy principles, it involves physical and mental exercises and activities to stimulate thinking, concentration and memory.

In May 2023, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services collaborated with other Resthaven Community Services sites to hold a client and carer wellbeing event. The three-day event, held at the McCracken Country Club in Victor Harbor, involved a range of wellness activities for clients and their carers. The group also enjoyed informative guest speakers from organisations such as Carers SA and Aged Rights Advocacy Service.

Clients and staff from Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services joined in the ‘Pridevember’ festivities on 2 November 2024, representing Resthaven at the Pride March in Adelaide.

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