Keeping family close since 1986
Our first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, USA in 1974, after recognising the need for parents to stay close to their hospitalised child. As we opened more Houses around the world, it became clear that caring for the family of an ill or injured child was as important as caring for the child.
That was the beginning of our unique role as a children’s charity, supporting family-centered care. Our Ronald McDonald House Programs, located near top children’s hospitals, allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalised child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
We are proud to celebrate over 50 years of providing essential services to millions of families from 69 countries and regions across the globe.
Our first Ronald McDonald House in Australia opened in Camperdown, New South Wales in 1981, providing families with a place to stay close to their child receiving treatment in hospital.
In 1991 we launch the Ronald McDonald House Learning Program, supporting children who have missed months or even years of schooling due to illness or injury. This was a world-first Australian initiative to ensure that children weren’t further disadvantaged by also falling behind at school.
When Ronald McDonald House Parkville opened in 1986, it was Australia’s second and the world’s 90th Ronald McDonald House.
The 18-room terraces, neighbouring Royal Children’s Hospital, ensured families with sick children no longer had to sleep in hospital playrooms, bedside chairs, or cars. Finally, the whole family could stay together. They could have a warm shower, cook a meal, and do a load of laundry. It felt like home.
Now, there are over 380 Ronald McDonald Houses in 45 countries. And thanks to the generosity of long-time supporters, our Parkville House continues to provide family-centered care to those who need it.
From 2005, our operations grew. The House expanded to 52 rooms, and the Ronald McDonald Learning Program was implemented, now providing tutoring to 350 students each year.
Ronald McDonald Family Rooms were also introduced to Wodonga Hospital, Joan Kirner Women and Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s Hospital – joining a growing program of 263 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in 28 countries.
In 2017, Parkville merged with Ronald McDonald House Monash and Hobart to create Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania. This allowed holistic care for families travelling from Tasmania, and between Victorian hospitals.
In 2018, through the support of the Vaccari Foundation, we opened a fourth Ronald McDonald House at Casa Elda Vaccari in North Fitzroy.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, local communities and volunteers, we’ve cared for more than 500,000 families through their most challenging circumstances.
“The House became our lifeline through this journey. The
staff became our family. We really could not have done this without them.”
