Welcome to

RMHC South East QLD

Giving seriously ill children the best gift of all – their families.

3 Houses
3 Family Rooms
365 Nights a year

RMHC South East QLD history

Welcome to Ronald McDonald House Charities South East QLD.

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 South East QLD has been supporting seriously ill children and their families for over 30 years. 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 Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs are run by a tirelessly hard working team of staff and volunteers, aided by the generous support of our donors, sponsors and corporate partners.

Contact us

22 Garrick Terrace, Herston, QLD 4006

Keeping our families safe COVID-19

Given the current COVID-19 health crisis, 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

  • Mr Tim Banks - Chair
  • Dr Amanda Dines - Deputy Chair
  • Mr Michael Power
  • Mr Mick McLoughlin
  • Ms Leone Costigan
  • Mr Mark McCormack
  • Mr Troy Collings
  • Ms Suzanne Cadigan
  • Dr Lucy Cooke
  • Ms Tara Parnell

Our Staff

  • Emma Thompson - Chief Executive Officer
  • Meaghan Bush - Executive Manager, Fundraising, Communications & Marketing
  • Fiona Vink - Executive Manager, People & Culture
  • Charma Voller - Executive Manager, People & Culture
  • Peter Meier - Executive Manager, Operations

Our SEQ Partners

  • McDonald's Corp. and McDonald's Queensland Licensees
  • Transurban
  • Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation
  • Lactalis (Parmalat)
  • Clive Berghofer Group
  • The Star Entertainment Group
  • Drakes Supermarkets
  • 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon
  • Brisbane Marathon
  • National Storage
  • Liberty International Underwriters
  • Schwarz Excavations
  • The Interior Fitout Association
  • Brisbane Broncos
  • Gold Coast Titans
  • AFLQ – Brisbane Juniors
  • Logan Thunder
  • Century Batteries
  • Coates Hire

Our programs

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

Our Chapter runs a range of support programs across South East Queensland including our Houses, Family Rooms and Learning Program. 

Houses

Our Houses provide a homely and inviting place to stay for parents, guardians, carers and their siblings while their child is undergoing treatment in South East Queensland.

Family Rooms

Our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are 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.

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.

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

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Fundraise for us

Every year RMHC SEQ must raise the funds needed to provide the accommodation and support services that we give to seriously ill or injured children and their families. We are very grateful to receive support from members of the community who, together with our corporate partners generously donate funds, goods and services to our charity.

Each year, our supporters assist us in a number of ways which include:

  • Cash donations
  • Sponsorship of an accommodation room through our Adopt A Room program
  • The donation of goods and services needed for the operation of our Houses and programs
  • Payroll Giving
  • Money Box Collection
  • Holding their own fundraising activity or event
  • Leaving a Bequest in their Will
  • Giving in memory of a loved one
  • Celebration donations on a birthday or anniversary
  • Raising funds through the participation in a marathon or community event

For more information about how you can help please call 07 3646 6528 or email Fundraising.SEQ@rmhc.org.au

Volunteer

Our volunteers are the heart of our programs. The families we help require a wide range of services and support which is why we rely on Volunteers with many different skills that can help us meet their needs. We depend on our team of dedicated volunteers to help us run our programs and support families going through some of the toughest times. RMHC SEQ has a selection of diverse and rewarding volunteer opportunities across our programs to suit your interests and meet the needs of seriously ill children and their families.

We have a number of volunteer positions in areas such as:

•           Guest Services Support

•           Learning Program Support

•           Kids Club Support

•           Event Support

•           Cooking/ Baking

•           Family Room Supervisor

•           Fundraising Support

Volunteers have the choice of working in Brisbane at the South Brisbane House, Herston House, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Learning Program, in our Family Rooms at the Gold Coast University Hospital or at our fundraising events. No matter the role, our volunteers make a valuable contribution. When you volunteer at RMHC SEQ, you become part of a global community which is recognised and admired throughout the world.

If you’re over 18 years of age, available to commit for 6 or more months and want to volunteer please visit our RMHC South East Queensland Volunteer Page for more information via http://bit.ly/rmhcseqvolunteer

If you require further information, please contact Volunteering.SEQ@rmhc.org.au or phone (07) 3845 1620.

Named Giving Program

The South Brisbane House has now been open for over two years and has 79 accommodation rooms. The RMHC SEQ Board has identified opportunities for high level supporters (over $100,000.00) to receive public recognition within the House and have established the Named Giving Fund.  The Fund has a twofold purpose – to secure funding for the fit out of the final floor within the building and also provide the funding to cover the significant operational expenses of the house. We are very grateful to those who have already contributed including the Federal and State Governments, The Star Entertainment Group, Mr Clive Berghofer AM, Joe and Patricia Richardson and the Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation.

If you are interested in receiving the Named Giving Fund prospectus with full details of the opportunities available please contact our Fundraising team via (07) 3646 6528 or Fundraising.SEQ@rmhc.org.au  

Make A Meal

Why Make a Meal?

We provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill children with the aim to keep families close during their time of need. Parents often return to the House after a long day at the hospital with their child and cooking a meal may be the last thing on their minds. This is an area where the House can take the stress away from a parent and make their lives easier. We need your help to ensure an efficient and quality dinner time service for families staying in the House.

The Program

The Make a Meal Program invites teams of up to 12 volunteers either co-workers, community groups, friends and family members to prepare dinner for the families staying at the House. We provide the kitchen, and you provide the food and enthusiastic chefs! You’ll be rewarded with a fun and meaningful experience, while you help make our families lives that little bit easier. Dress up, decorate the dining room, theme your experience how you wish. Have a lot of fun while provided practical support for families in need. The average number of families staying each night at Herston is 40 and South Brisbane is 110.

For more information or to make a booking please contact fundraising.seq@rmhc.org.au or call (07) 3647 0263.

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 South East QLD 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 Australia, the correct legal name to use is Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland .

Our ABN is 88 438 652 383 412 and our registered office address is 22 Garrick Terrace, Herston 4006 QLD.

We have provided some suggested wording below for a General Purpose Gift.  

“I give…. (please select from one of the following options for your type of gift)

•           the sum of $xx

•           my entire estate

•           xx percentage of my estate

•           the rest and residue of my estate

•           xx percentage of the residual of my estate

•           description of a specific item

………. to Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland of 22 Garrick Terrace, Herston 4006 QLD ABN 88 438 652 383 for the general purposes of such entity. I declare that a receipt from the treasurer or other proper officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland to the executor(s) of this Will, will be evidence that the executor(s) has discharged his/her/their duties in accordance with this clause.”

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 further information, please contact us on 07 3646 6528 or email Fundraising.SEQ@rmhc.org.au

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.

Upcoming Events

Get involved in our upcoming events to help seriously ill children and their families.

Events