1
Kitchen
10
Bedrooms
239
Families stay a year
Staying at the house
Ronald McDonald House Canberra 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 in the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.
Ronald McDonald House Canberra is uniquely located inside the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. Our aim is to take some of the stress out of being away from home during a long and difficult journey and provide a supportive environment in the company of other families going through similar experiences.
Our Team
Our tirelessly dedicated team of staff are guided by our Executive Officer, Lee Maiden and we rely on 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 the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. Our House also supports mothers going through high risk pregnancies.
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.
Want to apply?
Complete the online application form.
For information about staying at Ronald McDonald House Canberra, see RMHC ACT & South East NSW's website: www.rmhcact.org.au
Make an enquiry
There are two ways to get in touch with us:
Call the house on (02) 6281 5894
Request a referral from a social worker or medical authority.
RMHC ACT & South East NSW website: www.rmhcact.org.au
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
We are located on Level 2 of the Canberra Hospital (Building 11). We’re the bronze coloured building on the hospital campus, right near the helipad. You’ll find us on the same level as Maternity Services, just down the hall from the Centenary Café. The Canberra Hospital is located next door and is just a few minutes’ walk away through the hospital grounds.
Contact us
Yamba Drive, Garran ACT 2605 (enter via Hospital Road)
RMHC ACT & South East NSW website: www.rmhcact.org.au
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
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By car
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By bus
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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.
Bedrooms
Each of our family bedrooms has its own private ensuite, a small fridge for storing medicines and a TV with a DVD player. Rooms have either one or two king single beds, with all linen is supplied free of charge. Port-a-cots, fold-up-beds and air mattresses allow us to accommodate up to two adults and two siblings per room.
Communal Kitchen
Our modern, well-equipped communal kitchen is the heart of our home, serving as a hub for families to get to know one another over a home cooked meal. With high quality cooking appliances, dishwashers and all the cooking utensils you’ll need to prepare favourite family meals, you’ll feel right at home.
The shared pantry, fridges and freezers are regularly stocked with ingredients donated by local supporters and business. You’ll also be allocated your own cupboard and fridge space for storing your personal supply of groceries.
Kid's play area
A stack of toys, games, books and movies are always on hand to keep the kids entertained. A place where they can come to hang out and be kids, a craft cupboard and a computer nook for both learning and fun.
Quiet room and Butterfly wall
Sometimes you just need a bit of privacy or some time out away from the bustling activity of our communal areas. The Quiet Room is a private sanctuary. For mums with young bubs, a microwave and breast pump facilities are provided.
The Quiet Room is also where you’ll find our beautiful and inspiring Butterfly Wall. Here, we invite each family to place a coloured butterfly onto our tree to represent their time with us.
Laundry Facilities
No matter where life takes you, laundry is a chore every parent has to deal with. Our communal laundry is equipped with machines, drying and ironing facilities to help you keep on top of washing duties.
Alfresco Balcony
A spacious balcony offers families the option to dine outside in the fresh air and or take some time out to relax in the sunshine.
House Programs
Ronald McDonald House Canberra 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 families and communities in Canberra.
There are many ways you can contribute to our vital programs including our House, Family Room and Family Retreat.
Get Involved
Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.
Call us: (02) 6281 5894
Email us: reception.canberra@rmhc.org.au
RMHC ACT & South East NSW website: www.rmhcact.org.au
Host a Fundraiser
Helping to raise money for our house, family room, and family retreat and other projects makes a huge difference to the children and families who come through our doors. If you are planning to help us fundraise please fill out the Fundraising Application Form.
You might want to hold a golf day, sporting day, cake stall or a BBQ – there are endless fundraising opportunities and we would love to hear from you.
Adopt A Night
The power to keep families together is in your hands.
Ronald McDonald House Canberra gives families a place to stay so they are close to their child at all times. This means more time for hugs, kisses and lots of love.
A donation of $150 to the Adopt A Night program will cover the costs for a family staying in our House for a night.
Meals From The Heart
Ronald McDonald House Canberra provides a home away from home for regional 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.
Ronald McDonald House needs your help to ensure an efficient and quality dinner time service for families staying in the House.
The Program - Meals From The Heart
The Meals from the Heart Dinner Program invites teams of co-workers or community groups to prepare dinner for the families staying at the House. Ronald McDonald House Canberra provides the kitchen, and you provide the menu, 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 or theme your experience how you wish - you are only limited by your imagination!
The Process
- Initial enquiries through the expression of interest below
- Date will be confirmed by the RMH Canberra Team
- Start thinking about your menu
- Send your menu in one week before your meal date
- Arrive at RMHC Canberra at 3-4pm on your date
- Kitchen orientation completed with full team & House and Family Room Tour
- Get cooking!
- Dinner served by 6pm
- Final clean up
Donate to our WishList
Your help can go a long way, from as simple as keeping food on the table, lights on and hot water running. These are all vital elements that help us continue to provide a soft place to land for families during their time of need, and most importantly keep families close.
Our wish list are items that assist us in supporting the programs that we run. Your support in donating to help us purchase these items is greatly appreciated. To get a list of current items needed, please email events.canberra@rmhc.org.au
House Items/Supplies
Please contact us for the current list.
Pantry Items
We always need pantry items. Please contact us for the current list of items.
Gift Vouchers
Woolworths / Coles / Officeworks / Bunnings / Hoyts / Questacon
What we can’t accept
Due to Workplace Health and Safety regulations we cannot accept any USED goods; clothing, toys, games, bed linen, furniture, and books.
Volunteer
Our volunteers are the ‘Heart of the House’ and we could not provide the service we do without them. Passionate and caring community members spanning all ages carry out a variety of roles including reception, general assistance within the House, overnight supervision and tours for visitors. Our group of Community Volunteers help out at events and fundraising activities in the community.
Not only do our volunteers help the families through difficult times, they benefit personally by having the opportunity to meet new people, develop new friendships and gain skills.
Ronald McDonald House recruit Volunteers throughout the year.