In March 1960, the Board approved — as part of the planned homes to be built in Mitcham and Westbourne Park — self-contained units for singles and married couples. This was a new accommodation offering for Resthaven, and in a distinct break from past tradition, places were to be offered to men as well as women.
So that this new concept could be adequately financed, these units were to be ‘sponsored’, with the Board inviting prospective residents to financially contribute to their future units. Three types of accommodation were offered at £600, £800 and £1,200.
From January to June 1961, four new units were erected at Resthaven Malvern, alongside the care home, at a cost of £12,000.
After 12 months of building works, Resthaven Mitcham was completed in December 1961, with residents moving in shortly thereafter.
Alongside 19 aged care beds, the home included sponsored units, which required a contribution towards capital costs upon taking up residence. With these units, married couples had a bedroom, lounge and bathroom, and singles had a bed-sit with their own shower and toilet. This configuration was complemented by communal areas such as lounge and dining rooms. Staff serviced the units each week, with residents only responsible for their personal laundry.
The following year, the official opening of Resthaven Mitcham took place in April, with the ceremony performed by Sir Thomas Playford (premier). Also, further land was purchased, and seven additional units were added at a cost of a little over £15,000.
Ten single units and one double unit were built at Resthaven Leabrook, with residents entering their sponsored units that same year.
The ‘Noske Wing’, featuring seven double units and one single unit, was built at Resthaven Malvern. This was made possible by a bequest from Mr Heinrich T. Noske. In the following two years, the ‘Noske Men’s Wing’ at Resthaven Malvern was erected, consisting of five single retirement living units. Further, another double unit was added.
Tentative plans and discussions had taken place for some time regarding the building of the home at Westbourne Park; however, a lack of finance delayed the project. After 12 months of building works, residents entered the home in June 1967. Alongside 34 aged care beds, the home included sponsored units, in a similar style to those offered at Mitcham. John McLeay officially performed the opening ceremony on 14 October. In the home’s first year of operation, two neighbouring bungalows were purchased, adjoining the home by a covered walkway, which added a further nine single units.
In August, work commenced at Resthaven Leabrook for another cottage of four single rooms — the result of a legacy from a Miss Bennett. The building was opened and dedicated the following year on 17 August 1969.
Resthaven Bellevue Heights, with its proposed seventy-two hostel and seventy-six self-care units, was officially opened and dedicated on July 6 1980 by Rev. Keith Smith, Moderator of the Uniting Church in South Australia.
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Resthaven Marion was the recipient of a major grant to help develop retirement living units as part of South Australia’s “Jubilee 150” celebrations. This involved a visionary partnership arrangement with the South Australian Housing Trust. When resident-funded units were also added, Resthaven Marion offered a total of 29 retirement living units.
In March 1993, Resthaven became the owners of Bellara Retirement Village, set on the corner of Gorge and Newton Roads in Campbelltown. The village consisted of 27 self-care units and 21 serviced apartments. The purchase was made after Resthaven was approached by SGIC Hospitals Ltd.
A further eight new retirement living units were built at the western end of Resthaven Marion, bringing the total to 37 units. These units still exist today.
A full redevelopment was in the works for the Resthaven Paradise residential aged care home, addressing key issues such as fire safety and privacy. Major projects included the removal of four- and three-person shared rooms and an increase in the number of bathroom and lounge facilities.
With Resthaven Paradise redeveloped, the decision was made by the board to sell Bellara Retirement Village. Residents were given priority to move into the newly refurbished Resthaven Paradise should they wish.
Plans were formalised for a redevelopment at Resthaven Leabrook, with the Burnside Council granting provisional consent in June 2012. It was proposed that the old ‘Semmens Wing’ be replaced with eight new retirement living apartments, featuring two or three bedroom, and 15 low-care rooms. Retirement living residents eventually moved into the brand-new apartments in December 2014.
After more than two years waiting on approvals relating to the development, construction of Resthaven’s residential site at Port Elliot commenced in September 2013. Four independent retirement living units were included in the project, and residents moved into the completed units in 2015.
In the early months of 2015, seven retirement living units at Resthaven Bellevue Heights were refurbished.
In July 2021, Resthaven acquired award-winning prestige retirement village, On Statenborough, from BestLife Communities.
Located in Leabrook, the village features 134 apartments and retirement living villas, set amongst well-maintained gardens, and is just around the corner from Resthaven Leabrook. The village was already well-known for its luxury retirement offering — awarded the ‘Best Senior Living Project in Australia’ (and South Australia) in 2012 by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA). Resthaven’s Executive held an official handover and meeting with the On Stat residents to answer any questions and get to know the village community. On Statenborough continues to be operated as a stand-alone retirement village, with management by Resthaven.
In February 2022, Resthaven acquired Chiton Retirement Living from KeyInvest.
Nestled between Port Elliot and Victor Harbor (and only three kilometres from Resthaven Port Elliot), the village comprises 29 modern architectural homes and a community centre. The seven-star energy rated village is a standout of environmentally friendly living in the Fleurieu and has won a number of awards for its first-class homes, including the ‘Excellence in Seniors Living Award’ in 2017 by the UDIA.
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On 1 February 2023, Resthaven acquired twelve retirement villages (123 units) from ACH Group. The acquisition increased Resthaven’s retirement living portfolio by 40%, supporting the strategic objective of planned and considered growth and expansion of retirement living. It increased the service options for older people, while diversifying Resthaven’s income streams. The new locations complement Resthaven’s service areas, featuring small villages (less than 20 units each) in Aberfoyle Park, Blackwood, Brighton, Elizabeth North, Kingswood, Lower Mitcham, Salisbury, Walkerville, and Wynn Vale.
In September 2023, Resthaven moved its retirement living portfolio under the banner of community services, whereas it formerly sat under residential services. In addition, Resthaven announced the appointment of its first Retirement Living Operations Manager — a strategic role that would consolidate recent village acquisitions and assist in developing a tactical plan for the future of retirement living at Resthaven.
In June 2024, Resthaven launched plans for a $7.8m redevelopment at Resthaven Chiton Retirement Living. The project involved the construction of eleven new retirement units, a garden reserve and a caravan parking area. Keeping with the ‘green’ credentials of the village, the additional landscaping will use carefully selected plantings that complement its environmental rating. Construction commenced in late 2024, with the first sod turned on 13 September.
In November 2024, Resthaven worked in partnership with another UnitingCare agency, Eldercare, to acquire a suite of South Australian retirement living communities from Aveo, one of Australia’s largest retirement village operators.
Resthaven acquired 799 units across eleven villages with Eldercare acquiring 234 units over two villages. The move came after Resthaven undertook a comprehensive market scan of existing retirement villages earlier in the year, with an acquisition target plan developed for future growth opportunities. The acquisition increased Resthaven’s retirement village portfolio to over 1,200 units and included the transfer of approximately 90 home care recipients.
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