Ronald McDonald House Herston History
October 1991
Fundraising begins to build a Ronald McDonald House on the grounds on the Royal Women’s Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital at Herston (Now the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital).
The House would be purpose built accommodation to support expectant mothers undergoing high risk pregnancies at the Royal Women’s Hospital, as well as the families of seriously ill or injured children receiving care at the former Royal Children’s Hospital.
Fundraising efforts include The Royal Women's Hospital Auxiliary raising $50,000 and Channel 10 hosting a mini telethon from Dreamworld.
The cost of the House is $1.6m
(Photo Credit: The Courier Mail)
March 1992
The “Herston Hill Spinney Incorporated.” was created on 24 March 1992 as the local entity within Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) for the purpose of progressing the establishment of a Ronald McDonald House. The House would support clinical services provided at the Herston Campus, supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and the Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH) of the Brisbane North Regional Health Authority.
A 909m2 parcel of land was leased to the entity on a 75 year peppercorn lease.
25 October 1995
Ronald McDonald House Herston officially opened by (then) Queensland Governor, Leneen Ford. The House opens with 26 accommodation rooms, community lounge, dining, kitchen and playroom.
Jan and John Rynne, originally from Lismore, move to Brisbane to be the House’s first live in manager.
(Photo credit: Tim Harrington)
October 1995
The Funnell family of Emerald are one of the first families to stay at Ronald McDonald House Herston. Sharon and her husband Scott stayed at the House while their baby girl Rachel was at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Rachel was born very premature, at just 30 weeks and weighing just 520 grams.
Sharon stayed at the Herston House for 10 weeks until Rachel was well enough to go home. On the way home, little Rachel developed a hernia and Sharon spent another 3 weeks at Herston House until they could go home again.
December 1999
The House welcomes its 10,000 guest since opening. Cody Morris was 10 weeks early and weighed just 1300gms
(Photo Credit: The Courier Mail)
November 2001
Construction begins on a 24 room annexe including 6 self contained isolation units for transplant patients and their families.
This annexe will provide additional accommodation for families of children attending Royal Children's Hospital and Royal Brisbane Hospital.
The cost of the annex is $3.3m.
11 March 2003
The Annexe is officially opened by Hon. Wendy Edmonds, Minister for Health.
The additional 24 rooms in the annexe takes the total accommodation capacity of the Herston House to 50 families and a total land area of 1720m2.
October 2005
The House celebrates 10 years. In the past 10 years, the House accommodated almost 12,000 families.
Queensland Governor General, Quentin Bryce was there for the celebrations and also opened the new playground.
October 2020
The Ronald McDonald House at Herston celebrates 25 years. Since opening, the House has accommodated more than 32.400 families from across Queensland, interstate and even overseas.
