Our Impact

A message from our Chairperson

Our Ronald McDonald House Central West in Orange is in many ways unique.

Since we opened ten years ago in 2015, half of the families we support have had a child or adolescent experiencing a mental health crisis requiring urgent intervention and treatment in Orange.

Following close behind are young families – women who due to the high-risk nature of their pregnancy cannot have their babies in towns such as Parkes, Forbes, Cowra or Mudgee, and often have to stay with us for weeks or months leading up to the birth of their baby.

We treasure our beautiful connections with these families, who often come back to visit and send us photographs of their babies and children once they have returned home to a normal life.

The relationships that we build with both the families that stay with us, and the many communities in townships across the Central West that work together to support them, and our Chapter, is vital.

Together, we’re making a real difference in the lives of families, when they are facing one of the most daunting experiences of their life – having a child who requires urgent medical or psychological treatment in Orange.

Ray Miller

Board Chair, Ronald McDonald House Central West NSW

A message from our Executive Officer

Families often have to travel far from home to receive the medical care for their child. Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West NSW provides support to families through our House Program in Orange and soon through our Hospitality Cart Program at the Dubbo Hospital.

We are an independent, not for profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children, and high risk pregnancy women and their families.

Our chapter opened in 2015. We provide families from right across the Western NSW Local Health District, and for Child and Mental Health families right across NSW a warm and welcoming place to stay, to get supp0rt or relax and recharge, while going through the difficult journey of childhood illness.

Through our programs, we strive to keep families together when life gets turned upside down due to a child’s illness.

We are supported by over 130 volunteers who dedicate their time to our families, our amazing business, corporate supporters, and community groups who provide financial, in-kind and volunteer support and our wonderful team of staff. I hope you will join this wonderful group of people in supporting families of seriously ill children.

We look forward to welcoming you to our family!

Rebecca Walsh

Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Central West NSW

Our region has a population of approximately 500,000 people stretching from the Blue Mountains to Bourke.

Our two major health centres are located in Dubbo and Orange providing the Western NSW community access to treatment including various Specialists offerings that allow patients the ability to stay closer to home where possible, before having to travel to metro areas for the same services.

OUR FAMILIES

Ronald McDonald House Charities Central West NSW, located in Orange, gives seriously ill children, and women experiencing high risk pregnancy the best gift of all – their families. Our warm and supportive home away from home provides the whole family with a comfortable place to stay and peace of mind, knowing they can stay together as a family.

Our Programs and Services

Orange House, Central West NSW

Dubbo Hospitality Cart, Central West NSW

Acknowledgement of Country

At Ronald McDonald House Central West NSW we respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, skies and waterways on which we gather today.

We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We celebrate the resilience and strength oof young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, the next generation of storytellers, Custodians and leaders. We are honoured to support and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including families with ill or injured children, so together we can create a brighter, healthier future for every child.

Make a Difference for Families & Children

Parents don’t know when their children will need medical help. But they should know they can always access the care they need. And with your help, we can support them all throughout their journey.