25
Bedrooms
54
Volunteers
514
Families
Staying at the house
Our North Fitzroy 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.
Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy located at the historic Casa Elda Vaccari (a former light rail substation) caters to the growing need for regional, rural and interstate families to have access to safe and reliable accommodation in central Melbourne while their child undergoes treatment in the city. Retaining lots of its original character, our House has been converted into a purpose-built accommodation facility for up to 25 families a night. Our sincere thanks go to the Vaccari Foundation for making Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy possible.
Our Team
Our dedicated team are ready to reach out with a helping hand whenever things get a little tough. Thanks to our amazing army of over 100 volunteers, we’re able to accommodate families 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
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 a treating hospital in Melbourne.
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.
On arrival, families receive a welcome pack containing basic toiletries, maps of the area and a guide to services available during their stay. We are a self-catering House, but we do provide tea, coffee and other basic food items. Our donation pantries are regularly stocked with goodies brought in by our friends and volunteers.
Make an enquiry
There are two ways to get in touch with us:
Call the house on (03) 9966 8440
Request a referral from a social worker or medical authority to stay at the House.
Keeping our families safe
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
Our beautiful House is located in the leafy inner city suburb of North Fitzroy, and backs directly on to the expansive grounds and level walking paths of Janet Millman Reserve.
We have on-site parking available and are approximately a 15 minute drive from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Parkville. From our location it’s also easy to get to around by public transport. Our House is just a few steps away from the Brunswick Road/Nicholson Street tram stop, which takes you to Melbourne CBD in less than 20 minutes.
Contact us
863 Brunswick Street North, North Fitzroy 3068, VIC
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
Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy is a 15 minute walk from Rushall Station on the Mernda Line. After getting off the train walk towards Park Street and follow the Park Street Reserve to Brunswick Street North. RMH North Fitzroy will be on your right.
By car
Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy has onsite parking for House guests.
By bus
Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy is accessible by bus lines #250 and #251. Get off the bus at Porter Street North Fitzroy and walk along Holden Street towards Brunswick Street North. Turn left onto Brunswick Street North and RMH North Fitzroy will be on your right.
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.
Communal kitchen and dining room
Our spacious kitchen and communal dining room is what we refer to as the heart of our home. Equipped with quality appliances, cookware, cutlery and utensils, the kitchen is a hive of activity, serving as a space for families to meet, get to know one another and share the journey together over the comfort of a home-cooked meal.
Each family has allocated fridge, freezer and pantry space for any groceries and snacks they wish to bring into the House. In our communal pantry you’ll find tea, coffee, condiments and other basic food items, as well as the occasional stash of home-baked treats brought in by our wonderful volunteers.
Guest Laundry
Wherever you and your family go, laundry duties follow! To help you keep on top of the washing, we have a laundry equipped with washing machines and dryers for the complimentary use of our guests.
Family Bedrooms with ensuite
We have 25 family bedrooms with differing layouts, offering space for different family configurations. Ceiling fans, air conditioners, heaters and televisions are fitted in each room and all linen is provided and laundered for the length of your stay.
Children's play area
A fun and colourful space with books and toys where kids can hang out and just be kids! Our playroom is packed with goodies guaranteed to keep them entertained for hours.
Communal Lounge
Our communal lounge is a cosy and inviting space where you can kick back on the lounge in front of a movie or a favourite show on Foxtel. There’s also a children’s playroom full of books, toys and games donated by our friends and supporters.
Shuttle Bus
Families are welcome to use our shuttle bus service to get to and from hospital, the shops or wherever they meed to go. Our shuttle bus service is from Monday-Friday but times are subject to change and availability. We encourage families to call or visit reception to check available days/times and booking slots.
House Programs
Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy 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 across Victoria and Tasmania.
There are many ways you can contribute to our vital programs including our Houses, Family Rooms and Learning Program.
Get Involved
Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.
Call us:
(03) 9966 8412
Email us:
victas@rmhc.org.au
Fundraise for us
What could be more fulfilling than bringing people together to transform the lives of the families who need our help?
Fundraising is an easy, meaningful and fun way to raise money. From sausage sizzles and trivia nights, to raising money on personal celebration days in lieu of gifts, you can give the gift of togetherness to families with seriously ill children.
So what’s the first step?
It’s never been easier. Simply start an online RMHC Group Give Fundraiser and let your network know about it!
Please contact us as at victas@rmhc.org.au to find out more.
Volunteer
Our volunteers are an invaluable asset to the House and are actively involved in a number of roles from housekeeping to administration and special events to cooking food for our families.
Adopt A Room
Adopting a room is a unique opportunity to assist us in providing the highest level of comfort possible to our families. The proceeds of your adoption allow us to cover the costs associated with that room, including linen, electricity, maintenance, etc. Your adopted room will bear a plaque with your name on it, and we will keep you up-to-date with news, events and invitations to the exciting things happening at our Houses. For more information, please contact us at victas@rmhc.org.au
Adopt a Pantry
Each family staying at a Ronald McDonald House is assigned their own pantry in one of our nine kitchens across our four Houses.
We are offering the exclusive opportunity to Adopt a Pantry to help us support families who need to stay at Ronald McDonald House to be close to their child in hospital.
We will create a personalised plaque with your name or logo to be displayed on your adopted pantry in one of bustling kitchens at the House of your choice. For more information on this exclusive offer, contact simone.robbins@rmhc.org.au
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 Victoria & Tasmania in your Will. Your gift will provide love, care and support for seriously ill children and their families whenever they need it.
For further information, please contact us at victas@rmhc.org.au
Group Volunteering
Make a Meal - Our Make a Meal dinner program gives families a welcome break from preparing a meal and having to wash up, and gives them the chance to spend some quality time together.
Baking with Love - Baking with Love gives our families a lovely home baked treat to brighten their day. Teams can bake and cook up a range of sweet and savoury treats together, before packaging them up for families to snack on.
Made with Love Frozen Meals - Made with Love frozen meals ensures our families have access to healthy, home cooked meals when they need it most.
Working Bee - A Working Bee may involve housekeeping duties such as general cleaning and maintenance tasks, assembly of furniture, organisation/redecoration of spaces, or any other tasks we need assistance with.
For further information, please contact us at victas@rmhc.org.au
Sign Up To Workplace Giving
Workplace Giving is a simple and convenient way your for you to donate to RMHC VIC & TAS, directly from your pre-tax salary. It’s easy to set up through your payroll team and gives you that charitable buzz with every payslip!
By becoming a Workplace Champion you become part of our family, sharing in the life of RMHC VIC & TAS and how your support makes a huge impact to families with seriously ill children. Not only will you receive an immediate tax benefit from your pre-tax donation, you can start, stop or change your donation at any time - Work Place Giving is as flexible and adjustable as you need it to be.
We can’t do it alone, we need Workplace Champions like you!
Follow the link and sign up to Workplace Giving today Workplace Giving | Good2Give