The journey of Ronald McDonald house in South Australia began on the mid-1980s when Chris Baker, Bob May and Eric Gladio, three dedicated McDonalds licensees started the South Australian chapter.
In 1990, the charity refurbished the historic Allan Campbell Building of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, transforming it into the Ronald McDonalds Children’s Clinic. This day oncology-hematology unit provided a vital service, allowing children to receive treatment without being admitted to the hospital.
In 1993, the charity embarked on an ambitious plan to build a Ronald McDonald House. With the committed support of the South Australian business community and the Variety Club, this dream came to fruition seven years later with the opening of a 10 room house at 271 Melbourne Street in 2000.
As demand for the service grew, so did Ronald McDonald house, and in 2013 the charity opened 272 Melbourne Street, with 10 two-bedroom apartments providing a home away from home for regional families who were required to be near the Women’s and Children’s hospital for long periods of time.
Today the Charity supports families through our House program, education support and bedside support.
In 1981 children’s charities were forever changed in Australia when the first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in NSW. Since then, the charity has grown to 18 Houses across the country as well as 18 Family Rooms, 5 Family Retreats, 1 Care Mobile and our National Learning Program.
The first Ronald McDonald House
Australia’s first Ronald McDonald House was located next to the former Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Camperdown NSW, before moving to Westmead in 1995 when the hospital relocated.
Our House at Westmead soon had a significant waiting list, so to address the demand we initiated the “Building Love” campaign in 2012 to raise capital funds for the development of a bigger and better House. The campaign was a resounding success and in 2018 our new House was opened, able to house more than double the original facility could.
World-first Ronald McDonald Learning Program
Our Learning Program was launched in 1999 to support seriously ill children who had missed months, or even years, of school. This was a word-first Australian initiative to ensure that seriously ill children weren’t further disadvantaged by also falling behind at school. Providing one-on-one tuition from qualified teachers, this Program has had a significant impact on the confidence and future prospects of children who have battled serious illness.
Ronald McDonald House Charities in Australia Today
Thanks to the generosity of the community, our vital partners, our incredible staff and our tireless volunteers, today we support more than 40,000 families each year.
Our first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, PA, USA, in 1974, after recognizing the need for parents to stay close to their hospitalized child. As we opened more House Programs around the world, it became clear that caring for the family of a sick child was as important as caring for the child.
That was the beginning of our unique role as a children’s charity, enabling, supporting and facilitating 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 hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
Ronald McDonald Family Room Programs offer a quiet respite for all families right in the hospital. And Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Programs bring fundamental medical and dental care to underserved communities.
