2026 is flying by, and at Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania, we’ve been busy. We know when families are together, they cope better. And thanks to our community of supporters, partners, volunteers and staff, we’re keeping families at the heart of their child’s care.
Amidst the hardship of caring for a seriously ill or injured child, a little good news goes a long way.
Here’s what made us smile so far this year.
Moments of joy for our families
Each year, we provide care for thousands of families when it matters most. We don’t just offer a place to stay near the hospital. We give them rest. Nourishing meals. Community. Time together.
Something that feels normal, when nothing else does.
Henry’s good news
Earlier this year, five-year-old Henry received four negative results for leukaemia – a moment his family had been longing for.
For six months, Henry’s family stayed at our House during treatment. They didn’t have to worry about where to sleep, or what to eat – they could simply be together.
Now, the family begins a new chapter beyond the walls of our House. But our care doesn’t end when they go home. We’re still here, through it all.
Whistler’s good news
When 14-year-old Whistler was urgently flown to Melbourne with a rare cancer, his family faced an uncertain future. But in the chaos, they had our House – a place to stay close, to find community, and stay strong.
Following treatment and surgery, Whistler was recently given the all-clear. The family returned home to Tasmania, and we couldn’t be happier for them.
“We knew you provided an amazing service, but until we needed to stay, we didn’t understand the depth of care.”
More than a House, we’re a home
Home is more than four walls and a roof over your head. And when a child is seriously ill, family stays through it all – sleeping in hospital chairs, taking time off work and travelling long hours. It’s in this unimaginable hardship that families need care more than ever.
That’s why we offer with a home away from home, just steps from hospitals in Victoria and Tasmania.
So far this year, 1,214 families have stayed at our Houses. We love meeting everyone who walks through our doors, and there have been so many highlights. In January, 149 children and 179 adults took part in school holiday activities at our Houses – filling our communal spaces with laughter.
Six families recently enjoyed the Blues Big Day Out, including young Jasmine (a passionate Carlton supporter), who was thrilled to be there. Several families also enjoyed a special night at the tennis.
Our families often tell us it’s these small gestures that go far, reminding them of the good in the world.
It’s thanks to the generosity of our supporters that families with seriously ill children can experience these small moments of joy, in the middle of adversity.
Celebrating learning milestones
As part of our commitment to care, we provide a variety of funded educational support services for children unable to attend school.
“It felt like a lifeline to the real world. Without it, the transition back to school would have been so much harder.”
This includes art and animal therapy sessions, along with one-on-one tutorials with experienced teachers. Our Bridge the Gap program, bridging the learning gap between home, hospital and school, continues to be an essential service for seriously ill children.
469 students have been part of our program already this year, with 322 actively engaged in tutoring and a record 72 new referrals. It’s been a treat to watch our wonderful, resilient students grow their confidence and self-esteem and prepare for their return to the classroom.
A heartfelt thank you to our community
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the generous support of our wonderful community. When you fundraise for Ronald McDonald House, you’re helping provide comfort, care and most importantly, time together, for families when they need it most.
Ride for Sick Kids and Rally for Sick Kids have already brought people together this year. Our Ride event raised an incredible $335,000! Every kilometer ridden, serve aced and dollar raised helps keep families close when it matters most.
There are a few tickets remaining for our upcoming Ronald McDonald House Victorian Gala Ball this July. Get classy for a cause, and raise funds for our full suite of services – including Houses, Family Rooms, Learning and Holiday Programs.
Now, we’ve kicked off Dance for Sick Kids and thousands of people have already signed up to dance. Last year, over 4,000 people moved and grooved, raising an amazing $820,000 in support of families with seriously ill children. This year, we want to raise $1 million!
You still have time to get involved. Join the seven-day dance challenge during National Families Week (11-17 May 2026) and make a difference.
Thank you to everyone in our incredible community. We couldn’t do this without you.
Our special screening night
Recently, our community gathered for an evening screening of Audrey’s Children — a powerful film telling the story of our founder, Dr Audrey Evans.
A visionary paediatric oncologist, Dr Evans’ compassion and determination helped transform the way children’s healthcare was delivered. Audrey’s belief that families belong together continues to shape everything we do today.
It was a wonderful night to reflect on Dr Evans’ legacy — one of courage, humanity and the lasting impact one person can make — and to celebrate the community carrying that legacy forwards.
New look, same heart
You might notice we have a new look. We’re still the same Ronald McDonald House that’s been operating since 1986 – just with refreshed branding. Building on our legacy, our brand better reflects our mission and the many ways we support families. Keep your eyes peeled in your community for our new name, logo, colours and design.
While our look is evolving, our unwavering commitment to families remains as strong as ever, and the demand for our essential services continues to grow.
More families are travelling to Victoria & Tasmania for treatment and staying longer, as care becomes more complex. Last year alone, 300 more families came to us for help.
“Ronald McDonald House gave us stability when everything else felt like it was falling apart.”
Families with sick and injured children need us. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we need you. We won’t turn them away.
With heart,
Peter Bishop
Chief Executive Officer
