Resthaven Paradise

In August 1974, Resthaven purchased ten acres of land at Silkes Road, Paradise. Adjacent to the River Torrens, this picturesque parcel of land was earmarked to expand Resthaven’s operations to the north-eastern metropolitan area.

Years after the land was bought, construction was finally underway. Continuing for over 12 months, the building work was completed towards the end of 1979, featuring a 98-bed hostel (across six separate lodges) and 40-bed nursing home. With a vast amount of land, the home benefitted from extensive garden and lawn areas.

Residents first moved into the home in the early months of the year and in August 1980, the first Matron, B. Datugan, reported: ‘The first months at Resthaven Paradise had been taken up with just getting there, and the following months had been settling in’. Staff also moved into their purpose-built accommodation on site. These two ‘flats’ were transformed into independent living units just a few years later.

Providing opportunities and benefitting the quality of life of those living in their own homes in the local community, the Resthaven Paradise Day Therapy Centre opened in a central location onsite. Services included physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and nursing.

To maintain the standards at the home, fresh carpet was laid throughout. New furniture was also purchased for the newly renovated entertainment room, which was formerly the dining room. Residents enjoyed their dining experience in the individual lodge buildings.

As residents became more frail and less able to water the gardens by hand, the grounds maintenance team installed an automatic lawn irrigation system across the very large lawn area and gardens.

After a break of several years, the site’s ‘Friends of Resthaven’ group was reformed. The group was pivotal in fundraising efforts for the site, as well as bringing new projects to fruition. As volunteers, this group helped with the cooking and serving of morning and afternoon teas, performed cooking demonstrations, and ran a music appreciation group. They also offered transport to residents, taking them to appointments and social outings.

To mark 10 years since the home was opened, in August 1989, a special luncheon was held at Resthaven Paradise. Following this, on 12 November 1989, the Anniversary Dedication Service was held. Around this same time, the bimonthly newsletter, the Paradise Peep, was launched.

Thanks to a ‘Senior’s Grant for the Community’ from the Department of Community Welfare, the southern garden area was upgraded. This involved erecting a pergola and bird aviary, installing a fishpond and landscaping the garden beds.

With a strong and vibrant community, residents and staff at Resthaven Paradise were looking to improve their surrounds. Some of the projects undertaken at this time included establishing a large kiln room and drying area for ceramics and relocating/refurbishing the Director of Nursing’s office and reception office. In addition, a new communication system was installed in the hostels, enabling staff to better respond to residents’ needs.

Her Excellency Dame Roma Mitchell, Governor of South Australia, visited the residential aged care home for morning tea on 22 May 1991. She also enjoyed a tour of the onsite Day Therapy Centre.

The building of eight self-care units was completed in November 1991, bringing a new offering to the site. Upgrading of the fire protection safety system for both the residential aged care home and hostel was also completed at this time.

Through the generosity of the family of a former resident, the late Mr Gordon Mitchell, a memorial clinic room was established within the main administration building for hostel residents. This was of great value, creating more space for important work.

After the purchase of Bellara Retirement Village at Campbelltown and the subsequent transfer of hostel numbers to Resthaven Paradise, staff across both facilities worked together to find efficiencies. For example, the Resthaven Paradise kitchen provided meals to the village as well as ‘Hostel Link’ services to residents at Bellara, and other clients in the Campbelltown community.

To mark Resthaven's 60th anniversary, the community at Resthaven Paradise enjoyed a Wurlitzer Organ Recital on 25 June 1995.

With a major building program underway at Resthaven Paradise, on 31 May 2000, the Resthaven Board sold Bellara Retirement Village. A consultative and informative process was undertaken with all residents consulted individually, with the majority of residents transferred to Resthaven Paradise. Completed in November 2000, the site redevelopment involved the removal of three- and four-person shared rooms and an increase in the number of bathroom and lounge facilities. Nine additional low care units were also constructed as part of the project.

In the high-care facility, a new initiative was introduced to have dental services provided on site. This was most beneficial and well received by residents and their families.

In a first for Resthaven Paradise, an Open Day was held in October 2003 to welcome the community and display information about life in a residential aged care home. The event was well attended.

Marking 25 years of operation, Resthaven Paradise enjoyed ‘birthday’ celebrations throughout the year.

In response to security issues at Resthaven Paradise, particularly at night, a perimeter fence was installed. Fire sprinklers were also installed throughout all buildings.

Resthaven Paradise participated in the ‘Nurse Practitioner Trial’ project, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The nurse practitioner candidate worked closely with medical practitioners in assessing residents’ health status and diagnosis. Recommendations for treatment were prepared in liaison with the treating General Practitioner.

Working with volunteers, residents at Resthaven Paradise were given the opportunity to use a site computer to ‘surf’ the world wide web and use a variety of programs.

By late 2007, a redevelopment was underway at Resthaven Paradise. One of the first actions of the multi-year project was to demolish the existing high-care, therapy and community services buildings to make way for a new two-storey residential aged care home.

Resthaven Paradise staff member, Wally Piskor, developed, designed and produced a trolley to move heavy beds within confined spaces. This initiative was acknowledged by SafeWork SA and received a 'Certificate of Commendation' award from the Self Insurers of South Australia.

On 14 December 2010, Resthaven Paradise held their Christmas Party, combining their celebrations for Resthaven’s 75th anniversary. The event was well-attended by staff, residents, family, and friends.

The official opening of the new facility at Resthaven Paradise was held on 10 June 2011. The three-year $20m redevelopment involved replacing the original building, adding dementia-specific accommodation and relocating therapy and community services. Soon after, on 25 July 2011, John Gardner, State Member for Morialta, visited the site to see the progress.

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On 20 December 2011, Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training, attended the Christmas Luncheon at Resthaven Paradise.

Located at the Resthaven Paradise campus, the G-TRAC (Geriatrics Training and Research in Aged Care) centre was officially launched on 27 February 2013 by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler. A partnership with the University of Adelaide, the centre offered medical students and health professionals the opportunity to work with older people to extend their knowledge, capacity and skills.

In April 2015, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO, Governor of South Australia, visited the G-TRAC Centre for a tour of the facilities.

In July 2016, Resthaven Paradise was named as a finalist in the 2016 South Australian Landscape Architecture Awards, in the 'Communities' category.

On 16 June 2017, a delegation of Chinese business partners visited Resthaven Paradise to gain expertise in aged care equipment, staffing and training. Members of the group were planning a major aged care home in China and were seeking knowledge from Resthaven’s experts.

To mark the advent of the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church, in June 2017, Resthaven Paradise held games at the site, followed by a trophy presentation. The event was open to family and friends.

To maintain the home’s modern facilities, Resthaven Paradise underwent an upgrade to resident rooms and common areas, completed in June 2018. Access was improved with new automatic doors, and an undercover gopher storage area and outdoor seating area were added. A new family space within the rose garden was installed, featuring a barbeque area with shade sail, outdoor furniture, and a ‘hide and seek’ garden.

In October 2018, historic vehicles that were taking part in the Bay to Birdwood car tour stopped in at Resthaven Paradise, providing residents with the opportunity to have a close-up look at the cars.

Resthaven Paradise held an afternoon tea in October 2020 to celebrate the 85th anniversary of Resthaven. Social distancing and other COVID-19 safe measures were put in place to ensure everyone remained safe.

Resthaven Paradise began hosting a weekly ‘Intergenerational Playgroup’ for residents and children. Facilitated by the home's Lifestyle team, the playgroup was open to children aged between 0-6 years and their families. Activities were prepared for each week, often including sensory toys, messy play items, books, play tents, and more.

At Resthaven Paradise, the dementia support area undertook a trial of the ‘Tovertafel’ game console, a unique interactive projection system. Tovertafel blended physical and cognitive stimulation, making it an ideal activity for individuals with cognitive challenges or special needs.

On 8 March 2025, Resthaven Paradise invited its community members to celebrate Resthaven’s 90th anniversary with a family fun day on site. A warm day, the event was held both inside and outside in the rose garden and lawned areas of the home, with children’s activities including balloon art and face painting.