1976

As Australia was recovering from the Whitlam era, financial restrictions had limited the realisation of the dreams of the Resthaven Board.

With inflation rampant for the previous year, in April 1976, at the urging of Administrator Rev. Gordon Symons, board was set at 95% of the single basic pension.

The 1976 Report to the District Synod of the Methodist Church spoke of the financial troubles:

'In common with other aged care organisations, Resthaven has felt the tremendous pressure generated by the urgency of need for admission of many people, financial difficulties of inflation and a tightening of Government finance available for capital development and for operation of nursing homes.'

'Long planned and hoped for development of a new home at Silkes Road, Paradise, has had to be deferred owing to the unavailability of Government finance. At the time of writing the report there is no indication of when funds might be available. Likewise, development planned at Murray Bridge has been postponed for the same reason. In the meantime, “waiting lists” have grown considerably.'