Stories from Sunnyside

07/04/2026

Sunnyside will be closed this Saturday due to volunteer shortages. We’ll be back open next weekend, April 18. Thanks for your understanding!

10/03/2026

This May marks the 50th anniversary of the Ellen G. White / Seventh-day Adventist Research Centre at Avondale University. To celebrate, an engaging symposium will be held both in person and online, exploring Ellen G. White’s relevance for today’s youth.

Inspired by her life and writings, the symposium will dive into themes of reform, courage, identity, and calling, and what they mean for young people today.

📅 May 21–23, 2026
📍 Hybrid event – join us in person or online

More details coming soon.

09/03/2026

We were delighted to welcome Dr Michael Campbell, Director of Archives, Statistics, and Research at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, during his recent visit to Cooranbong.

While in Australia presenting a series of lectures at Avondale University on Adventism and Fundamentalism, Dr Campbell took time to visit the Adventist Heritage Centre and Sunnyside Historic Home. It was a pleasure to show him around and share in conversations about Adventist history and heritage.

He also arrived with a fun surprise from the United States — an Ellen G. White bobblehead, a specialty item produced by the Adventist History Podcast, which has now made the journey all the way to Sunnyside!

Dr Campbell’s presentations were filmed and will be released in October for Adventist Heritage Month, so keep an eye out for those later in the year.

Thank you Dr Campbell for stopping by!

22/01/2026

Sara McEnterfer (1855-1936)

Born in 1855 in the United States, Sara McEnterfer became a Seventh-day Adventist at the age of 20 after attending a meeting. Soon after, she studied nursing at Battle Creek College, preparing her for a life of service that would quietly shape the church’s early mission work.

In 1882, Ellen G. White invited Sara to work with her, beginning a lifelong partnership. From 1885 to 1887, Sara served as Ellen’s travelling companion and secretary in Europe, gaining experience that would later prove invaluable in far more challenging circumstances.

In 1895, Sara was urgently telegrammed to Australia to care for Ellen White during a period of serious ill health. Based at Sunnyside in Cooranbong, Sara assumed extraordinary responsibility. She became matron of a household that grew to include 13 people, while also serving as nurse, medical practitioner, travelling companion, secretary, and meticulous keeper of records.

Cooranbong was remote. The nearest doctor was in Newcastle, 40 kilometres away and very expensive, placing medical care beyond reach for many of the community. Ellen White later wrote: “When the people learned that Sara could treat the sick, they would send for her and she always responded to their calls. She had a safe horse and she would often go for miles in the night to visit some family that needed help.”

When treatment at home was not possible, the sick were brought to Sunnyside. The first to stay for care was an eight-year-old boy and his aunt. Ellen welcomed such cases, writing that this work was “just what our Saviour would have done were He on the earth.” Through Sara’s ministry, Sunnyside became a place of healing, compassion, and practical Christianity for the Cooranbong community.

After returning to the United States, Sara continued as a close companion and caregiver to Ellen White. She was present at the end of Ellen’s life in 1915, tenderly closing her eyes in death. Sara McEnterfer died in 1936, remembered not for public acclaim, but for tireless service, courage, and a faith that rode through the night to meet human need.

25/11/2025

Did you know that today is Ellen G. White’s birthday?

On the 26th of November 1827, Ellen Gould White (née Harmon) was born, as one of eight children, and a twin alongside her sister Elizabeth, in Gorham, Maine. Her early life was deeply shaped by the Methodist faith of her parents, Robert and Eunice Harmon. A childhood accident at age nine severely limited her formal schooling, but she credited this hardship with turning her focus to faith, stating, "I might never have known Jesus, had not the sorrow that clouded my early years led me to seek comfort in Him." This profound, personal relationship with Christ became the wellspring of her life's work.

Ellen G. White went on to write over 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books, earning her the recognition as one of the most translated non-fiction female writers in history, and a place among the "100 Most Significant Americans of All Time" by the Smithsonian. Much of her mature work took place right here in Australia at Sunnyside Historic Home in Cooranbong, where she lived from 1895–1900. It was at Sunnyside, while helping to establish what is now known as Avondale University, that she completed her devotional masterpiece, "The Desire of Ages," a work centered entirely on the life and character of Jesus. Her presence there, often entertaining many guests and living out a practical, charitable ministry, demonstrated a life dedicated to emulating the loving actions of Christ. Though she passed away in 1915, her immense impact remains powerfully relevant today.

09/10/2025

October is Adventist Heritage Month! Join us this October and be part of the celebration! Watch, listen, sing, and share — there’s something for everyone to connect with our story and carry it forward.

This October is Adventist Heritage Month. It is a time for Adventists across the South Pacific to pause, reflect, and celebrate the story we share.

This year Heritage is not staying in the archives. It is coming alive through stories, music, films, podcasts, reels, and live events that remind us God is still calling us today.

Our 2025 theme is Called: The Great Appointment. What was once remembered as the Great Disappointment has become a story of hope and mission. Our pioneers did not give up. Their faith carried them forward and their legacy continues through us.

Highlights this month include:
🎤 Sabbath Singalong with Sandra Entermann (Oct 24 live online)
🎥 Newly digitised Adventist films
🎙 Daily reels and podcasts sharing stories of faith

Heritage Month matters because when we know where we come from, we understand who we are and what we are called to do. This is also a chance for churches to engage with their own history. Share local stories, celebrate your pioneers, and remind your congregation that we are all part of God’s continuing movement.

👉 Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and our website. Share what you discover with your church, family, and friends. Heritage Month is more than a calendar of events. It is a chance to remember that we belong to a movement that God is still using today. As we sing, watch, listen, and share, may we be inspired to carry the story forward with faith and purpose.

17/07/2025

What a big start to the year it’s been at Sunnyside!

Over the past two terms, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting students from Avondale School, Charlton Christian College, Heritage College, Lakes Grammar, and Macquarie College. It’s been all hands-on history — churning butter, making damper, learning to wash clothes the old-fashioned way, and exploring what life was like over a century ago.

We’ve seen curious minds light up as they discovered old technologies, explored Indigenous and Pasifika artefacts, and tried on costumes that sparked stories and plenty of laughter.

It’s been such a joy to share this special place with the next generation. Thanks to all the schools who’ve visited so far — we can’t wait to welcome more!

11/04/2025

This week we had the pleasure of welcoming the Catalyst students to Sunnyside! It was a special opportunity to explore the historic home of Ellen White, a key figure in Seventh-day Adventist history. We're so glad they could visit and connect with the history and legacy that continues to inspire generations.

06/04/2025

History came to life at Sunnyside last week! We had a wonderful time welcoming the Year 1 students from Macquarie College as they journeyed back in time to explore what life was like in the olden days. Thanks for visiting — we hope to see you again soon! 🕰️🏡

20/03/2025

Today, we welcomed Year One students from Charlton Christian College to Sunnyside for our first program of the year! The students had a fantastic time exploring the history of this special home, engaging in hands-on activities, and stepping back in time. We loved having them and can’t wait for more visits throughout the year!

13/02/2025

This week, we had the privilege of welcoming visitors from the E.G. White Estate, the South Pacific Division (SPD) Secretariat team, and the General Conference (GC) Secretariat team to Sunnyside, the historic home of Ellen G. White in Australia.

It was a pleasure to share the story of this significant site with them, and we’re grateful for their time and interest in learning more about Ellen White’s life and ministry here. Sunnyside stands as a testament to her dedication to God’s work, her commitment to health and education, and her lasting impact on the church in the South Pacific.

Thank you to our visitors for making the trip—we’re so glad you enjoyed the tour! We hope Sunnyside continues to inspire all who walk through its doors.