Resthaven Marion

In memory of her late husband, Mrs May Hersey offered the Resthaven Board two-and-a-half acres of land at Marion, which she and her husband, Alf, had farmed as market gardeners and orchardists. Initially, the project was set to be a resident-sponsored development.

With progress on the land development slow, in October 1972, the Federal Government granted a capital subsidy of $732,700 for the project, expediting the development.

With the home completed, Resthaven Marion’s first residents moved in at the end of 1974.

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The new home at Marion was officially opened on 13 April 1975 by former Administrator Rev. Guthrie Hutchinson. The first matron at the site was Dulcie Miller, who lived on the ground floor of the two-storey, red brick building. Other staff members lived upstairs in the 2nd-storey rooms.

Resthaven Marion benefitted from their own ‘Friends of Resthaven’ group, comprising of friends, family, and community members affiliated with the home and local church. The groups welcomed new residents, fundraised for the home and supported social events.

The Resthaven Marion Day Therapy Centre, also known as Southern Therapy Services, took 12 months to build, at a cost of about $500,000. An official opening was held on 15 November 1981 by Hon Grant Chapman, Member for Kingston. The centre offered support in physio and occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology, continence management. Also on offer were group self-management programs, one of which was a Parkinson’s Clinic—the first of its type in Australia.

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On 23 June 1985, Bob and Hazel Hawke, along with Federal Minister for Health Dr Neale Blewett, Federal Member for Kingston Gordon Bilney and the State Member for Brighton Jenny Applebee visited the home. Their site visit was coincidentally timed with 91st birthday celebrations for former Administrator, Rev. Guthrie Hutchinson.

The building of 29 Independent Living Units commenced alongside the residential aged care home, with the accommodation completed in September 1986. This was a joint venture between Resthaven Marion and the SA Housing Trust.

With watering of the gardens done, in part, by residents, an automatic lawn irrigation system was a welcome addition to the home at Marion. Security had also become a more prominent issue at the site, and fire evacuation education and procedures for staff were given more attention. New Occupational Health and Safety Committees were also formed at this time, with monthly meetings held.

On 16 October 1989, Resthaven Marion held celebrations to mark 15 years of operation. Four original residents were present to celebrate the festivities.

With a number of permanent occupancy changes at the hostel, four former double units were converted for use as singles (leaving five still operating as doubles). Other upgrades at the site included two extra speakers to enable better communication in the dining room, and the purchase of a portable ECG machine for use by visiting doctors.

Resthaven Marion’s residential newsletter, Chit Chat, was developed and published for the first time. Produced monthly by staff and residents, it proved to be an interesting communication medium, with exceptional staying power.

Granted funding from the Department of Community Services and Health, Resthaven Marion developed special programs for those residents living with dementia. As a result, it was noted that sleep patterns improved for these residents.

The Marion Rotary Club generously donated money towards the cost of a new drug trolley, which was purchased to accommodate the ‘Webster System’ for medication distribution.

Major building developments took place at Resthaven Marion with the addition of a dining room, staff room and residents’ canteen, as well as a hostel clinic room, shop and dementia care activity room.

In March 1992, independent living residents were the first group to commence a ‘Recreation for Older Adults’ program. This exercise class was designed to improve and maintain general health and fitness and was later expanded to include other community members from the local area.

With the nursing home additions completed the previous year, the focus moved towards completing other new projects: eight additional self-care units, a new community room for self-care residents and a new room in the Day Therapy Centre, as well as an extra garden room.

The site’s Biennial Fete was held in March 1994. A team effort between staff, residents, families and volunteers — the day raised a grand total of$4,700. A highlight was the magnificent display and buffet lunch.

With interest from prospective clients increasing, the home began holding tours each month.

To celebrate Resthaven’s 60th anniversary, the home held an Open Day on 20 May 1995, featuring a vintage and veteran car exhibition.

The 'National Action Plan for Dementia Care' training program was held at Resthaven Marion, with many Resthaven staff participating.

Research indicated that older people preferred single or two-person shared rooms with ensuite bathrooms rather than multi-person shared wards. As a result, a $100,000 project was begun to remove three- and four-person shared rooms and to increase the number of bathroom and lounge facilities. New offices for the manager and hostel staff were also completed.

Completion of the nursing home upgrade resulted in an enlarged lounge, new residents’ rooms, further ensuite facilities and an activity room. This improved the environment for residents and staff.

Resthaven Marion participated in the Acute Transition Alliance Project with other aged care providers. The goal of this project was to provide a 'step-down rehabilitation service' for older people following a stay in hospital, with the aim to return home following a period of intensive rehabilitation. This program led to a change in approach from caring for long-term residents as they become more dependent, with the goal of returning to live independently in their homes after a short, recuperative stay.

Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Member for Boothby, visited the Resthaven Marion Day Therapy Centre and also joined in the festivities for Resthaven Marion's 30th anniversary.

The redevelopment plans of the home and 18-bed high care extension were finalised. It was a complex change to the existing site, with an upgrade of the three-storey low-care building. The first stage involved renovating the heritage Hersey Cottages (used for respite services) and transferring the location of the main entrance.

Residents of Resthaven Marion participated in the YMCA of South Australia’s Recreation Link-Up program, Senior’s Link. This project matched each person's interests with community options. Other group therapy programs included a cognition impairment course and Healthy Heart Moves (in partnership with Flinders Medical Centre), as well as Pulmonary Rehabilitation (in partnership with Lyell McEwin Health Service).

The site was awarded a demonstration project to trial centre-based, high-care day respite in a residential setting.

A state government ‘Positive Ageing Grant’ enabled the ‘Keys to Learning’ program. Resthaven Marion residents travelled by bus to Westminster School each week to participate in computer education sessions, with students working as their tutors. This initiative was positively received and later won the 2010 COTA ‘Every Generation: For Young and Old’ award.

On 20 July 2011, Shadow Minister for Ageing, Concetta Fioravanti-Wells, and Dr Andrew Southcott, Member for Boothby, visited the home.

On 22 September 2011, the newly constructed 16-place secure dementia unit was officially opened by the Moderator of the SA Uniting Church, Rev. Rob Williams. Alongside the upgraded facility, the opportunity was taken to refurbish the entire home.

Additional land was purchased adjacent to Resthaven Marion and cleared of all derelict buildings, with a view to future use and a garden extension.

In October 2013, Resthaven Marion held the ‘Every Generation’ celebration, with public acknowledgement and celebration of the contribution that people, in particular older people, make to positive ageing in the community.

On 9 October 2014, the home held a celebration to mark its 40th anniversary. In the afternoon, residents enjoyed entertainment and music from a two-piece band. Later in the evening, a 50s-themed ‘cabaret party’ was held, with rock ‘n’ roll dancers performing to entertain guests.

The ‘Artist in Residence’ project was a community artwork developed by 30 residents, clients, staff and volunteers of the entire Marion campus (community, residential and respite services).

In October 2015, Resthaven Marion’s partnership with Westminster School was recognised with a Council on the Ageing (COTA) ‘Every Generation Positive Ageing’ award in the ‘intergenerational’ category.

Resthaven Marion’s ‘Spirituality in the Garden’ program won the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) Better Practice Commendation Award. It was also featured on Channel Ten’s ‘Australia by Design — Landscapes’ television program, with filming taking place on site.

The home celebrated Resthaven’s milestone anniversary with an art appreciation event in October 2020. The event was able to go ahead with physical distancing and COVID-safe measures. A feature of the celebrations was the unveiling of the handmade mosaic piece, created by the residents, which was proudly displayed in the lounge area.

The ‘Tovertafel’ game console, a unique interactive projection system, was trialled in the dementia support areas of Resthaven Marion. Tovertafel blended physical and cognitive stimulation, making it an ideal activity for individuals with cognitive challenges or special needs.

In July 2024, kitchen staff at the home took part in a five-day intensive training session as part of the 18-month ‘Maggie Beer Mentor Program’. The training was the first step in the program, which paired aged care home kitchens with a qualified chef trainer to mentor the team to serve flavourful, nutritious food and deliver an enhanced dining experience for residents.

With a redevelopment on the cards, a ‘masterplan’ for the Marion campus was presented to the Resthaven Board. A consultant team was engaged in detailed concept and design development, with a building application lodged in September 2024.

On 27 September 2024, around 60 residents came together with staff, family members, volunteers and local dignitaries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Resthaven Marion.