Warm welcome for the aged
Located in the South Australian Riverland, the town of Loxton quite literally put on its warmest welcome the day the Premier of SA, Sir Thomas Playford, came to town for a special opening of a building in 1965.
Sunday 21 February 1965 started off with warm weather. By 2.30 pm when the service began, the temperature had climbed to a searing 45 degrees! But more than 1000 hardy souls still turned up for this special event, quickly filling up the wooden seats and then standing in groups, seeking refuge in the shade wherever they could.
It had an INNOVATIVE design for the time. The rooms were built around a common central garden courtyard, allowing each resident ‘an EXQUISITE VIEW of the River Murray’.
Despite the weather, the men staunchly remained in long sleeves and ties. A slight breeze ruffled the floral dresses of the ladies in the choir, but it was not enough to take the edge off the stifling heat. Accompanied by the Renmark Citizens Silver Band, the congregation broke into strains of the hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.
And the reason for this celebration and Premier Playford’s presence? It was the culmination of more than 10 years of negotiation and planning, and brought to fulfilment the dream of three Loxton laymen: E Kaesler, W Traeger and L Wilksch. It was the opening and dedication of the Riverview Lutheran Rest Home.
Built of cream brick and concrete blocks, the rest home could accommodate 26 people, together with the matron and four staff. It had an innovative design for the time. The rooms were built around a common central garden courtyard, allowing each resident ‘an exquisite view of the River Murray’. Perhaps more importantly, it was designed to ‘capture any breath of breeze to keep it comfortable’ on those warm summer days. Dedication day certainly would have put that quality to the test! The first resident moved in just three days after the dedication and, by July, 18 of the rooms were occupied. From the outset, the home was open to people beyond the Lutheran church.
Over the years Riverview Lutheran Rest Home has been expanded, always with an eye to new developments in aged care. Earlier this year, on 16 February – almost 51 years to the day of the opening of the original rest home – Riverview opened 13 serviced independent living apartments. A Memory Support Unit with 20 beds was unveiled at the end of March to cater for people with dementia. While the buildings may change, the provision of quality aged care remains constant.
The dream of those three laypeople continues to be a blessing half a century on.
The opening and dedication of Riverview Lutheran Rest Home was timed to coincide with the 1965 SA District Synod in Loxton. Pastors and delegates from all around the state attended the event, in addition to locals. The opening of the rest home was a tangible embodiment of the Synod motto, ‘Moved with compassion’, based on Matthew 9:36. Later this month, Loxton will once again host the SA/NT District Convention of Synod.
Lutheran Archives holds original film footage of the 1965 Opening and Dedication of Riverview Lutheran Rest Home in Loxton. The digitisation of this footage has been generously funded by LCA members with a connection to Riverview. Can you help us save other significant films of our church’s work and ministry?
To find out more about the ‘Seeds that Sprout’ appeal, visit www.lca.org.au/seeds or contact Janette Lange, Acting Director and Archivist, Lutheran Archives 08 8340 4009 lutheran.archives@lca.org.au
This feature story comes from The Lutheran May 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.
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