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Annual Impact Report 2023

A message from our CEO

As I reflect on 2023, I am immensely proud of a year that exemplified the foresight of our growth strategy and the determination of our people to achieve critical outcomes for our support of families and hospital partners Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital.

Our strategic investment to pilot temporary supported accommodation at St Catherine’s Residential College, was pivotal in 2023. It sustained and marginally increased capacity and, further engaged Government’s support to progress with a case to fund permanent expansion of RMH at QEII.

Expansion of the Ronald McDonald Learning Program and Ronald McDonald Family Retreats were equally a highlight of our achievements in 2023. This growth together with an increase in our supported accommodation are central to achieving Mission outcomes in family wellbeing.

Our robust governance and financial management together with holistic, integrated fundraising engagement strategies underpinned our capability to sustain and grow our revenue in a challenging economic environment.

My sincerest thanks to all members of the RMHC WA Board, staff and volunteers. Your time and valued support in 2023 enabled the organisation’s continued growth and success in an extraordinary year of being there for West Australian families with ill or injured children when they need it most.

Peter King ASM

Chief Executive Officer

A message from our Patron

In my 24 years as Patron, I have had the privilege to be part of RMHC WA’s extraordinary story. From its humble beginnings to its extensive support of families in Perth and throughout the state, RMHC WA today is an essential Western Australia service that connects us all in the spirit of community.

This past year, we have witnessed the incredible resilience of our families as they navigated challenging times. Cost of living pressures added to the difficulties for our families and the wider giving community. Despite the challenges, we were humbled by the generosity of West Australians, particularly in regional communities, who dug deep to continue their support.

I want to extend my sincerest gratitude for the continued support and friendship of our Mission partner McDonald’s and supporting partners from industries and business, small and large, across the state. Your genuine commitment to the wellbeing of WA families with ill or injured children is admirable.

The continued growth and success of our valued service is deeply rooted in the unwavering determination, professionalism and energy of all RMHC WA people. To the RMHC WA Board, CEO Peter King, staff and our 400 plus Blue Army of volunteers – thank you. I am deeply proud of your achievements in 2023 and for the foundations you forged for the future.

Adam Gilchrist AM

Patron

A message from our Chairperson

In this my first Annual Impact Report message, I reflect on a year that exemplified the professionalism, ingenuity and passion of RMHC WA’s Board, management, staff and volunteers.

In 2023 a scale of effort was undertaken to achieve critical outcomes for our organisation and the families we serve. With our 2020-25 Strategy at its halfway mark, the imperative to expand the capacity of our core services remained central to our focus and drive.

We successfully secured funding from the State Government and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation to support the opening of an additional Ronald McDonald House, scheduled to open 2024. This investment was a historic milestone that signalled the realisation of our growth strategy towards an expansion of RMH at QEII by 2028.

RMHC WA hosted RMHC Global and APMEA Chapter leaders. The opportunity enabled RMHC WA to impart its strategic prowess, and leadership in impact evaluation, contributing to the development of Global’s Impact Strategy Framework 2025-27.

I am extremely proud of RMHC WA’s unwavering commitment to its exceptional support of families throughout the year. Our annual impact evaluation has once again highlighted how essential our people, environments and services are for family wellbeing.

On behalf of the RMHC WA Board, I sincerely thank and congratulate the Executive Management Team, staff and volunteers for their contribution to the organisation’s continued success.

Ante Golem

Chairperson

Our year in 2023

Families supported at Ronald McDonald Houses in WA
0
Nights of supported accommodation provided to WA families
0
Hours of volunteer service provided by the WA Community
0
Hours of tutoring provided to young WA patients through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program
0
Visits to our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms
0
Nights of respite provided at Family Retreats in Busselton, Bunbury and Mandurah
0

Our families

When a child becomes ill or injured, we help keep families together and their wellbeing supported far from home, schools, jobs and loved ones. By keeping families together, our home away from home plays a unique role in enabling, facilitating and supporting family-centred care within the WA maternity, child and adolescent health care systems.

Our programs and services

Houses

Each year more families from across the state reach out to RMHC WA for supported accommodation and services. This continued increase in demand for our support has grown beyond our capacity. In 2023 the State Government announced a contribution of $9.6m over 4 years to help provide a temporary solution to accommodate more families with ill or injured children who rely on our essential service. Learn more about this contribution here.

Play and learning programs

RMHC WA delivers a suite of play and learning programs across RMH at QEII and Perth Children’s Hospital. 2023 saw record numbers visit the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Perth Children’s Hospital, the introduction of the Magic Coat Program in the Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre and commencement of Little Ones Playgroup at RMH at QEII. Our continued commitment to inclusion shone through, bringing more cultural, age and ability based play and learning experiences to our spaces.

Learning

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program (RMLP) aims to bridge the gap for school aged students whose education is disrupted due to illness or injury. In 2023 the program provided 4 290 hours of fee-free tutoring hours to 290 students. Find out how through RMHC WA’s continuum of care Patrick returned to the classroom with the help of RMLP tutor Christine here.

Family Retreats

2023 saw the opening of RMHC WA’s 3rd Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Mandurah. This fee-free program, provides families with ill or injured children the opportunity to take a step back and enjoy time together. Read more about the important role this program plays in positively impacting the overall wellbeing of WA families here.

Our Blue Army

2023 was a year full of milestones and memories for our Volunteer Program. The year saw our Blue Army grow to over 400 strong across 15 roles. Their shared passion for helping families with ill or injured children shone through.

Together they provided over 29,000 hours of service, supporting families staying with RMHC WA as well as those visiting Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital. Being a volunteer is so much more than giving up your time in the pursuit to help others. Learn how for one of our Blue Army members Estelle, donning the Blue gave her the experience and skills she needed to land her dream job here.

How we are making a positive impact in WA families’ lives

We are here for families when they need us most. Some stay a few days, some for months and others regularly over years. At Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia, we are here for families for however long or frequently as they need us.
 
Our RMHC WA Impact Framework provides crucial data and insights to improve, create and collaborate for positive change in the lives of the families we support.
 
RMHC WA plays a unique role in enabling, facilitating, and supporting family-centered care within the Western Australian maternity, child and adolescent health systems, working together with Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital supporting family wellbeing.
Download Summary Report

Family wellbeing in 2023

positive change in emotional wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our emotional wellbeing would have been poor.

positive change in financial wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our financial wellbeing would have been difficult to manage.

minor change in physical environment wellbeing

If we had not been able to access RMHC WA’s support, our home environment wellbeing would have been stressful.

positive change in cultural wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our cultural wellbeing would have been moderate.

Our partners

We can’t do what we do without the important contributions and support from our Partners.

Families who need to be in Perth for medical treatment for their ill or injured child rely on the supported accommodation and services we provide. Thanks to our generous Partners we are able to help keep WA families together and their wellbeing supported during some of the most challenging of times.

Meet our partners

Testimonials

Passion and commitment...qualities which abound in the staff and volunteers at RMHC WA and are the reason I’m proud to be part of their team.
Shirley, volunteer
I enjoy the variety of roles at RMHC WA and the families who give me hope and inspiration through the challenges they face every day.
Marilynn, volunteer
I thrive on the atmosphere and work required in all roles. It gives my "working – life skills" as a Minister of Religion and Teacher a good workout. The positive feedback, welcome and a "thankyou" at the end of a shift is all I require.
Kevin, volunteer
At Hyundai Help for Kids we proudly stand by Ronald McDonald House Charities and are dedicated to supporting the programs and services they provide to create brighter tomorrows for kids and their families today.
Hyundai Help for Kids
For nearly a decade, we’ve been a proud partner of Ronald McDonald House Charities WA. Our partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to making a difference in our community by supporting families during difficult times.
Mineral Resources
Our involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities WA is a great privilege. We are committed to benefiting the local communities where we operate, and our partnership with RMHC WA is a testament to this commitment.
Barminco
An unwell child is the greatest fear for any family. That’s why for a quarter of a century Lotterywest has supported Ronald McDonald House Charities WA to be there for families when they need it most.
Lotterywest
Without it we would not have survived financially or as a family. RMHC WA allowed us to stay together and get the help Madi needed.
Kirsty, RMHC WA Family
The support we have got has been amazing. It's like a little family and for my mental health that’s been huge.
Ayla, RMHC WA Family
We’re proud to be long-term partner of RMHC WA. GR Engineering looks forward to continuing this important relationship in the future.
GR Engineering

A message from our Treasurer

I am pleased to report that the organisation remains in a sound financial position and poised again for growth in the future. This is a positive achievement as 2023 presented several challenges to the Home Away From Home Inc (trading as Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia).

Our challenges were well managed and reflect in the result of the 2023 financial year being a reduced loss, which is a significant improvement on 2022’s losses. A key contributing factor to the positive turnaround, was the increased philanthropic support from our valued donors and stakeholders.

During 2023 the organisation was successful in securing funding to support expansion of core services, resulting in a $9.6m investment from the WA Government combined with significant funding from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation. These contributions reflect our hard-earned reputation for excellence and is a recognition of our contribution to the Western Australian community.

I would like to thank my fellow Board Members, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive, along with staff and volunteers from RMHC WA for their dedication and service to Western Australian families with ill or injured children.

Sonny Rahim

Treasurer

2023 reports

To view or download our reports, please click the links below. To view our past annual reports, please click here.

Download financial report
Download impact report

Past Annual Reports

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

See all past annual reports

Ronald McDonald House Western Australia