In August of 1968 the name Southern Cross Homes Inc was registered.

The first project for the group was a modest group of single bedroom units at Croydon Park which was funded on a $1 for $1 basis by the Commonwealth Government. Following the success of this project, 416 single bedroom units were built by Southern Cross Homes between October 1970 and 1975 on 21 sites throughout the Adelaide Metropolitan area and on a site in Mount Gambier.

The spectacular growth of the unit developments resulted in some six hundred retirees living under the umbrella of the organisation in Independent Living Accommodation. The demand for Southern Cross to provide care for the aged in a Hostel environment was emerging and, as a result, the decision was taken to build a 160 unit Hostel at North Plympton. The facility was completed and occupied by the first residents during 1976. The construction of a 146 bed Nursing Home next to the Hostel quickly followed.

During the past two decades, the Board responded to the dramatic increase in demand for facilities and care by an aging community. The following summary of the extensive facilities illustrate the standing of the organisation as a major provider of support for the aged in South Australia.

• Retirement Living Units: 413 one bedroom units on 20 sites.

• Resident Funded Units: 222 two and three bedroom units on 9 sites.

• Residential Care Low:        523 beds on 8 sites.

• Residential Care High: 316 beds on 3 sites.

• Rehabilitation Clients / year

700 Plympton

400 Lourdes Valley

700 Largs Bay

• 25 Community Care Packages

In 1996, the Board resolved to change the name of the organisation from Southern Cross Homes to Southern Cross Care. The decision was made after inviting input from a number of interested parties. The change reflects the importance which the Board, and in turn the whole organisation, through its 720 staff, place on providing an optimum level of care for all of the 1620 residents and 1825 clients.

The focus is clear and the challenge continues to be addressed in pursuit of the organisation continuing to earn the respect and confidence of residents and their families and friends in the wider community.

Southern Cross Care is extremely proud of the contribution which it continues to make to providing care and a wide range of facilities to the aging community of South Australia.

Its growth to date has been spectacular. It is now well placed to seize opportunities as and when they arise in the future providing they meet a stringent set of criteria which has been adopted by the Board.

Southern Cross Care Inc SA
Phone: +61 8 8379 9755;
Fax.: +61 8 8379 9965