Port Elliot a favourite for new manager Louise
Walking along the beach at Port Elliot on Christmas Day, 2023, Louise Banner took a deep breath and felt herself take in the moment.
The weather was just 18 degrees, and there was a storm coming, but with her dog Sooty besides her, Louise felt grateful and happy to be there. She was on holidays and enjoying a well-earned break.
A few weeks later, back at work closer to Adelaide, Louise received a notification telling her of a job that had become available at Resthaven Port Elliot.
‘I wasn’t even looking for a new job,’ Louise says. ‘But instantly I remembered what a wonderful feeling it was to be walking on the beach at Port Elliot, and something sparked in me that this might be my next move.’
Louise impressed at the interview and at the beginning of February she started in her new role as Manager Residential Services, Resthaven Port Elliot. She is a highly experienced registered nurse and has previous management and operational experience.
‘I most recently worked with another not-for-profit provider as a senior manager,’ Louise says. ‘I decided to apply to work at Resthaven because of its great reputation in the aged care sector. Also, Port Elliot would have to be one of my favourite places in South Australia!’
Along with Sooty (whose official title is now ‘Resident Liaison’), Louise visits residents each morning to say hello.
‘I always come in early to say good morning to the residents,’ Louise says. ‘But that’s not part of my workday, that’s a social visit. It’s good to find out what’s going on, and Sooty loves the attention.’
Louise says they have recently counted, and the residents at Resthaven Port Elliot have around 7,735 years of experience.
‘They really are some of the most remarkable and resilient people,’ Louise says. ‘I love working in aged care, as I am passionate about supporting older people to live their best lives safely and with dignity. I love my new workplace. This is a great place to work.’
Resthaven employs more than 3,000 staff across 40 locations in South Australia — view current job opportunities available at Resthaven.