4
Play Areas
87
Bedrooms
3394
Families stay a year
Staying at the house
Our South Brisbane House gives seriously ill children the best gift of all – their families. Our warm and supportive home-away-from-home provides the whole family with a comfortable place to stay and peace of mind, knowing they can stay together and close to their child’s hospital.
Our apartment style facility was opened in response to the overwhelming need for safe, reliable short and long-term accommodation for families travelling to Brisbane for their child’s medical treatment. More than doubling the capacity of our former South Brisbane House, our new home can sleep up to 79 families each night.
Our Team
Our tirelessly dedicated team of staff combined with a committed group of volunteers who generously give their time to make our families feel welcome and supported.
Who’s eligible to stay with us?
Keeping the family together can be extremely tough without support, which is why we offer accommodation for parents with seriously ill children who need to travel to their treating hospital in Brisbane.
Our House also supports mothers going through high risk pregnancies and need to reside in our House until their baby or babies are born.
We try to accommodate the needs of families where we can, but this is always subject to availability. Priority is given to families whose children have been recently diagnosed, seriously injured or who require emergency treatment, as well as families of premature babies.
Fees
Ronald McDonald House understands that being away from home for long periods of time can put families under financial pressure. That’s why our accommodation is free for eligible families of seriously ill children.
While our policy is to provide free accommodation, your stay at the House may require you to claim financial support towards accommodation and travel from the relevant government transport assistance scheme in your home state. Our friendly team are happy to work with you to apply for the relevant financial support.
To find out if you’re eligible for government financial assistance, contact your hospital social worker or talk to one of our team.
Want to know more?
Being forced to move your family far from home, work, school and your entire support network due to a child’s illness is extraordinarily tough. Our House has a wonderful community spirit, where you’ll be able to connect with other families going through experiences similar to your own. Our communal facilities also provide families with the independence to be able to cater for themselves and keep up with day-to-day living as much as possible.
Make an enquiry
There are two ways to get in touch with us:
Call the house on (07) 3845 1600
Request a referral from a social worker or medical authority.
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
House location
You’ll find Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane right across the road from the QLD Children’s Hospital and Mater Mother’s Hospital. Our main entrance is on Vulture Street, although guests also have access to the rear entrance of our House on Stanley Street.
We are located directly above the major Mater Hill Busway and just a few steps from the lovely waterfront parks, beaches and family-friendly attractions of South Bank, walking distance to the ferry terminal and South Bank station and close to shops, supermarkets and restaurants.
Contact us
283 Vulture Street South Brisbane QLD Australia 4101
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
How to get there
By train
We are located a 10 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the South Bank Station.
By car
RMH South Brisbane is located a 25 minute car drive from the Brisbane Domestic Airport.
By bus
We are located a quick 5 minute walk from the Mater Hill Bus Station.
House Facilities
While there’s no place like home, we do our best to create an environment that’s as homely as possible.
Whether you’ll be staying with us for just a couple of nights or have many months ahead of you, our house functions as a real home, with everything you need to get through trying times together.
Kitchen
We have a spacious communal kitchen on the ground floor, fitted with quality appliances including ceramic cooktops, electric ovens and dishwashers. The kitchen features several fully-equipped cooking stations, allowing several families to cook at once without getting in each other’s way. We have plenty of cutlery, crockery and cookware to go around, as well as microwaves, toasters and boiling water. Tea, coffee, milk and sugar are freely available along with other basic food items. In our kitchen you’ll find several large commercial fridges and freezers donated by Parmalat, with space for each family to keep their own personal supply of groceries. Our communal fridges are also regularly stocked with meals and goodies donated by our friends and volunteers for our guests to share and enjoy.
Communal Dining Area
Across from the kitchen is our roomy communal dining area. One of the most social spaces the house, this is a hub where families meet, get to know each other and share stories over the familiar comfort of a home cooked meal. The dining area is arranged with a variety of small and large table settings to allow for group or individual dining.
Other Amentities
Each accommodation level includes a beverage bay outside the rooms with tea, coffee, milk, a microwave and sink, so you don’t have to wander far to grab a hot drink or heat up a snack in your room. Rubbish disposal chutes are also located on each accommodation level.
Guest Rooms
With lift access to each level, we have a total of 79 accommodation rooms of varying sizes and configurations to suit families of different sizes and with unique individual needs. Ten of our rooms are fully self-contained units with private kitchen and laundry facilities. These family units are provided for children living at the house who require medical isolation, and for families who are staying with us for an extended period of time.
Guest Laundries
For your convenience, washing machines and clothes dryers are available to use in our communal laundry spaces located on accommodation levels from 2-6 within the House.
Parking
Please note that there is limited parking at our South Brisbane House. There are limited spaces within the building (including two disability spaces) and guests also have access to limited controlled parking off-site, within walking distance of the House. Both parking options are offered at no cost to our families staying with us, but unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee availability. Please carefully consider alternative transport options when making preparations to stay with us to avoid disappointment upon arrival.
Quiet Nook
This comfy, TV-free lounge severs as a quiet sanctuary for adults to sneak off for a bit of much-needed downtime. Here you’ll also find utilities for personal and business needs and a library with books available for borrowing.
The Hang-out Space
A multi-age space where kids are free to be kids! A great place for school-aged children and teens to get together with newfound friends, there’s a TV and DVD library.
TV Lounge
A space for the adults, the TV Lounge is a cosy spot for our grown up guests to unwind and catch up with a bit of telly outside their rooms, in the company of other parents and carers.
Kids Zone
This multi-purpose indoor space has toys, games and activities and is also where we host our regular Kids Club Program. Our Club gives children the chance to participate in arts and crafts classes, movie nights, story time and other fun activities. The program runs every afternoon on weekends and every day throughout the school holidays.
House Programs
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.
Get Involved
Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.
Call us: (07) 3845 1600
Email us: 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
- Fundraising Support
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) 3257 0328.
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 10 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 80.
The process
- Select a date (Tuesday night at South Brisbane)
- Receive a sample set of menus to give you some ideas but families enjoy simple home cooked meals and everyone loves dessert!
- Confirm your attendance and complete the forms we send you at least a week prior to your event. Arrive at Ronald McDonald House at 3.30 pm on your date
- Kitchen orientation and food safety briefing completed with your team
- Get cooking!
- Dinner served from 5.00 pm
Final clean up and optional tour of House will see you finished by 8.00 pm
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
Named Giving Fund
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 us on 07 3646 6528 or email Fundraising.SEQ@rmhc.org.au