50-year journey of Rosehaven Retirement Village

What began with a small committee, two houses in Rosebank and a vision to care for the elderly, has grown into Rosehaven Retirement Village in Hurlingham.

When the village officially opened in September 1976, it represented the fulfilment of a vision that had been taking shape for almost a decade.

Today, 50 years later, Rosehaven remains a lasting testament to the commitment of the people who believed that caring for older members of the Rosebank Union Church community was an important expression of their faith.

Read more: Hurlingham women flourish in their golden years in Rosehaven Retirement Village’s gardens

According to former Rosehaven Residents Committee chairperson Ian Blackstock, the story began in the 1960s, when the pastor and members of Rosebank Union Church became aware of their responsibility towards elderly people in the church.

A committee was established in 1967 to investigate whether a facility for elderly members could be created. Among those involved were Jack Laburn and Joan Winder, whose contributions would become part of Rosehaven’s history. In October 1968, an establishment committee was formed to turn the idea into reality and find suitable property near the church.

The first step came with the purchase of a house on Cradock Avenue, which opened its doors in August 1971 with four residents. Three years later, the neighbouring property opened to another four residents, but the vision was always larger than two houses. The opportunity to create a purpose-built retirement community came in January 1975, when 1.8 hectares of land was acquired.

Also read: The women of Rosehaven Retirement Village in Hurlingham find purpose after retirement

Blackstock said the land was generously donated by Syd and Isabelle Louw and Douglas and Agnes Wood, while numerous other donors contributed financially towards the development.

Then the building began. “The property was cleared, the bulldozers came in and the ground was levelled,” Blackstock recalls in his history of Rosehaven. “The foundations were laid and the building commenced.” Remarkably, just over a year later, the new village was ready, with the official opening ceremony held in late 1976.

Half a century later, Blackstock believes the people who established Rosehaven deserve to be remembered. “Not many of us here know who they are. There’s little record, but we give thanks to God for the part they have played over these last five decades.”

That legacy, he believes, lives on through the people who continue to serve the community, from residents and garden committees to office and maintenance teams, matrons and healthcare staff, management committees and catering personnel.

“Rosehaven is indeed privileged and blessed to have such loyal and talented teams. As we look back on 50 years, we are greatly aware of the faithfulness of God and of his gracious hand working for the good of all who have lived and are now living and working in this beautiful and loving place we call home.

“As we toast to 50 years, we are grateful for the friendships we have built as residents and we are looking forward to more togetherness and more happy moments.”

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