Welcome to

RMHC North Australia

500 Families stay a year
200 Volunteers
10222 Nights a year

RMHC North Australia history

Welcome to Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia.

We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children.

About Our Chapter

Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia opened our, state-of-the-art Ronald McDonald House adjacent to Townsville Hospital in 2004, offering a safe place to stay for over 100 people a night. Through our accommodation and support services, we strive to keep families together when life gets turned upside down due to a child’s illness.

Our Programs are run by a tirelessly hard-working team of staff and volunteers, aided by the generous support of our donors, sponsors, corporate partners and the local community.

Our Mission

We improve the health and well-being of seriously ill children and their families through practical care programs.

Our Vision

All seriously ill children can live their healthiest lives.

Contact us

100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas QLD 4814

Keeping our families safe COVID-19

Given the current COVID-19 situation, continuing to provide a safe and supportive environment for families of seriously ill children at our Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs is our absolute priority.

For the latest information please visit rmhc.org.au/covid-19

Our Board

  • Aileen Cull (Chair)
  • Susan Kinobe (Treasurer)
  • Janelle Doyle (Secretary)
  • Michael Jones
  • Micheal Luck
  • Matt Mason
  • David McCammon
  • Michael Muller
  • Trevor Prior
  • Dr Andrew White
  • Gregory Smith
  • Katrina Roberts

Our Staff

  • Angie Staub - Program Support Officer
  • Belinda O’Neill - Education Services Manager
  • Brooke Barbagallo - Operations & Facilities Manager
  • Dawn Breen - People & Culture Manager
  • Emily Doran-Smith - Operations Support Officer
  • Emma Thomson - Executive Coordinator
  • Erin Lucas - Education Coordinator
  • Jasmine Wrench - Communications & Marketing Coordinator
  • Jennifer Clermont - Acting Chief Executive Officer
  • Jessica Lee - Operations Support Officer (Darwin)
  • Jodie Kimber- Community Engagement Executive (Townsville & Cairns)
  • Lani Smith - Family Liaison Officer
  • Narrisha McDougal- Community Engagement Executive (Townsville & Mt Isa)
  • Noeleen Williams - Business Manager
  • Renee Bailey- Operations Support Officer (Townsville)
  • Samantha Lee - Community Engagement Executive (Mackay & Whitsundays)
  • Sarah Jones - Community Engagement Manager

Our Charity Partner

Townsville Ronald McDonald House Corporate Room Sponsors

Ronald McDonald Family Room at Townsville University Hospital Corporate Sponsors

Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart at Townsville University Hospital Corporate Sponsors

Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mackay Base Hospital Corporate Sponsors

Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart at Mackay Base Hospital Corporate Sponsors

Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Palm Cove Sponsors

2018 Reports

Registration Certificate - ACNC

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

Our programs

We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children.

House

Our House provides a homely and inviting place to stay for parents, guardians, carers and their siblings while their child is undergoing treatment in Townsville.

Family Room

Our Ronald McDonald Family Room is exclusively for the families of children undergoing treatment in a nearby ward. Run by our friendly volunteers, our Family Rooms are welcoming spaces where you can take time out from the clinical environment of the wards, have a tea or coffee, freshen up with a shower or find a quiet space for a much-needed nap. Our Family Rooms also have dedicated play areas so the siblings of seriously ill children can have a bit of fun.

Family Retreat

Our Family Retreat provides a peaceful getaway from the everyday, where families can simply be together in a tranquil setting. Families can enjoy up to a week of free accommodation, offering a welcome escape for those who might otherwise be unable to afford any time out due the pressures of caring for a seriously ill child.

Learning Program

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program assists school-aged children with serious illnesses and injuries to catch up on missed education following treatment and recovery. Providing a suite of educational support services, including therapy sessions and one-on-one tutorials with experienced teachers, our Ronald McDonald Learning Program is tailored to students’ individual needs. We aim to build each child’s confidence and self-esteem in preparation for their return to the classroom. All services are free to families thanks to funding from our generous RMHC supporters.

Hospitality Cart

RMHC North Australia are the first to operate the RMHC Hospitality Cart in Mount Isa Hospital. Since its launch, our Cart has supported the needs of more than 290 families, helping make hospital life a little more bearable. The Hospitality Cart offers boredom-busters, practical care items like toiletries, and snacks and beverages to seriously ill children and their families, as well as social and psychological support. Children can take part in arts and crafts activities, get lost in a good book, and enjoy a range of entertainment along with their siblings and parents. Our incredible volunteers are to thank for offering their time to stock the cart, deliver the goods, and consistently check-in with sick children and their families, to ensure they have everything they need.

How you can help

Make a donation

Support the charity or your local house

Become a volunteer

See the openings in your area

Other ways to help

Ronald McDonald House is an independent charity that relies on the work of our volunteers and the financial support of individual and corporate donations.

Without their generous contributions, we would be unable to keep our doors open to families in need 365 days a year. Thanks to the public, we’ve been able to continually expand our operations to help more seriously ill children and their families across our region.

There are many ways to contribute to the upkeep of our five practical care programs, including our House, Family Room, Family Retreat, Learning Program and Hospitality Cart.

Fundraise for Us

We welcome support from businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to embark on a fundraising exercise for Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia. The main thing here is to host events that you find FUN! These activities may include but are not limited to: gold coin days, quiz nights, silly sock days, corporate golf days, fashion shows, talent nights, ladies days, coffee mornings, raffles, auctions and so forth. We would love to hear any ideas of your own!

Workplace Giving

Workplace giving is a payroll contribution scheme where direct pre-tax donations from registered employees have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of families with seriously ill children. Donations are deducted each pay period direct from your gross salary, by arrangement with your employer's payroll department. All you need to do is decide on the amount you wish to give, it's that simple.

Adopt-A-Room

Your business or community group can adopt a room to help with maintenance and upkeep. Your company logo will be displayed on the room entrance door and you’ll receive an impact report on the number of families your sponsorship has helped.

 

Feast With Friends

Our Feast with Friends Dinner Program invites teams of co-workers, community groups, friends and family members to prepare dinner for the families staying at our Ronald McDonald House. We provide the kitchen, you provide enthusiastic chefs! You’ll be rewarded with a fun and meaningful experience, while you help make our families lives that little bit easier. You can dress up, decorate the dining room, or theme your experience how you wish. Groups wishing to take part will be asked to make a financial contribution which will cover the costs of ingredients.

Sponsor the Family Room

You can support local families in their greatest time of need by sponsoring the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Townsville University Hospital or Mackay Base Hospital. Your sponsorship will help provide essential support for families with seriously ill or injured children who utilise our facilities. This is a fantastic opportunity for your business or family to promote your values to the wider community.

Ronald McDonald Family Room - Family Tree Sponsor

  • All sponsors receive their logo or family name placed on our Family Tree, proudly displayed for everyone to see. 

Ronald McDonald Family Room - Overnight Room Sponsor

  • All sponsors receive their logo or family name displayed on the Overnight Room doors. 

Ronald McDonald Family Room - Laundry Room Sponsor

  • All sponsors receive their logo or family name displayed on the Laundry Room doors. 

Ronald McDonald Family Room - Welcome Packs

  • All sponsors receive their logo or family name displayed on the Welcome Packs presented to families using the Ronald McDonald Family Room. 

Sponsors receive further public recognition in the form of social media posts and their logo displayed on the RMHC North Australia website. 

Become a Corporate Partner

Our charity is able to bring comfort and care to thousands of families Australia-wide, largely thanks to the generosity of like-minded businesses and individuals who provide significant financial, in-kind and volunteering support year-on-year.

We strive to create mutually beneficial partnerships with organisations who are committed to our mission of supporting the ever-changing needs of seriously ill children and their families.

 

Share your story

We love hearing from our families! Sharing your journey of healing and hope is a wonderful way to support Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia. Your story will be used to inspire and comfort others who may be on a similar journey, show our community of supporters the impact of their donation, and may even be shared across our social media channels and our website! 

Leave a Gift in your Will

Leaving a gift in your will, or a bequest, is a wonderful legacy for future generations.  Anyone can leave a charitable bequest. It is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the future, without affecting your finances in the present. 

Whenever the time is right for you, please consider remembering Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia in your Will.  Your gift will provide love, care and support for seriously ill children and their families whenever they need it.

Information for Solicitors & Executors If you or your client intend to leave a Bequest to RMHC North Australia, the correct legal name to use is Castle Hill Spinney Ltd operating as Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia.

Our ABN is 24 254 114 823 and our registered office address is  100 Angus Smith Drive, Douglas, QLD

The charity is registered with the Australia Commission for Not-for-profits and Charities (ACNC). We also have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. When taking instructions from your client about their charitable intentions, please consider the tax implications for the estate and the tax benefits of transferring assets from an estate to a charity with DGR status.  

For more information, please contact us at na@rmhc.org.au

Upcoming Events

Getting involved in our events is a great way to support RMHC North Australia and the families who stay with us each and every day. Find out more below...

Events