The House That Grandpa Built

When Rev. Ian Trevor decided he needed a short respite stay at a residential aged care home, there was really only one choice – Resthaven Leabrook. Why? It was built by his grandfather, FC Catt, in 1910! 

Ian says, "I don’t really remember Grandpa, although Mum said she used to take me to see him and he was quite fond of me, apparently."

"But this is where Mum’s family lived back in those early days."

The family sold the property in the mid-1920s to the Cooper family, before Resthaven purchased it in 1944. It remains Resthaven’s oldest residential aged care home – although it looks a little different now!

Sitting in his comfortable armchair overlooking the Kensington Road/Glynburn Road intersection, Ian points and says, "I used to sit at that corner with a mate of mine when I was in high school."

"It was as different as chalk and cheese than in my day."

"Back then, [the property which became Resthaven Leabrook] was just the main building."

"But I’ve always known “Kensi” [Kensington] Road being bituminised, and I remember the tram lines."

Ian grew up in nearby Kensington Gardens, before following a career in the Ministry. He travelled all over Australia, and the world, with his wife, Marge, before they finally settled in Tea Tree Gully in 1979.

They continue to live independently in their home in the community, but Ian explains that "The reason I came here to Resthaven Leabrook was Marge had to have a knee done."

"I’ve had lots of falls in the last few years, my legs just go, it happens anytime. So Marge said, 'you have to go to respite while I’m away,' and I thought, I’ll come here, to grandpa’s old home. It was amazing the way it all worked out."

Ian is very happy with his stay at Resthaven Leabrook, saying, "The food is good, the entertainment is great."

"I just had a lovely time singing my heart out at a concert downstairs!"

But his favourite thing to do is sit in his favourite armchair overlooking Kensington Road, admiring the same view – albeit from a different perspective – as he did as young boy, in the home his grandfather built.

Short-term respite stays of a minimum of two weeks are available at all Resthaven residential aged care homes – phone 8373 9113 to find out more.

Resthaven Community Respite Services also provide accommodation for older people at a number of respite ‘cottages’ across metropolitan Adelaide, to give carers a break from their caring role. Phone 8198 2060 to enquire.

Celebrating 85 years in 2020, Resthaven Incorporated is a not for profit, South Australian aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church. Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of around 10,000 older people and their carers, working together to provide outstanding care and support.

Ian is pictured in his favourite armchair at Resthaven Leabrook, holding the Resthaven History Book (due for re-publication in October 2020), which depicts his grandpa’s house as it was in 1910.