In 1949 a 9-roomed furnished house was acquired by the united Melbourne and Malvern ecclesias at Ringwood with the view to establishing a rest home for elderly Brethren and Sisters and meanwhile filling a need for temporary accommodation for sponsored migrants from Britain. In November of that year, an ecclesial outing was held and the name ‘Olivet’ given to the house, a name synonymous with the olive garden set on a hillside in Jerusalem where Jesus often prayed and found peace.

In 1954 Breaking of Bread meetings were being held fortnightly in the house as some members were unable to make the trip into Melbourne. The foresight of the Brethren and Sisters in 1949 to look forward to the provision of ongoing care and support came to a reality when 10,000 pounds, roughly equivalent to $250,000 today was raised by the ecclesias to buy a large parcel of land opposite in Rupert Street and build a 12 bed hostel. This building still being used for it’s original purpose and known affectionately as the Collins Street wing was opened on November 30 1963.

The original Rupert Street house was added to over a few years and then demolished to allow the building of 16 single bed roomed units and these were opened in July1980 with all being immediately tenanted by Christadelphians. A 30-bed nursing home development was on the drawing board at the same time as these units were being built and the main body of the Nursing Home as you see it today was opened in November 1981 at a cost of $900,000.

Since 1949, and with God’s blessings, Olivet has grown from a small house where a handful of elderly sisters lived to a home where currently 150 people are provided with loving care and support. 101 of these residents are Christadelphians.

Population Nursing Home / Hostel 82
Independent Living Units 42
Retirement Village 26

Currently out of the 150 residents, 101 are Christadelphians who enjoy the fellowship of living with other Brethren and Sisters in a fraternal environment.