Broken Hill Musos Club Gets Behind Ronald McDonald House Families

Across 24 hours, a group of CEOs and leaders stepped into the life of Ronald McDonald House, cooking meals, preparing newborn packs for neonatal mums at Alice Springs Hospital, and sitting down with families to hear their stories. 

“As a group, we all listened respectfully, sharing gentle conversation or laughter around the dinner table, and became part of the House. Together, we raised more than 114 nights of accommodation for families in need,” Michael says.

Michael’s wife Tara also took part as the only female leader in the group and, alongside Michael, the only other regional and remote-based leader.  

“It was a chance to help metro-based leaders understand the challenges regional families face,” he says.

One example highlighted was when a child is airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctor Service — only one parent can travel with them.

“This leaves the other with limited information, often with other children to care for and needing to find their own way to Adelaide. If it’s at night, it can be extremely dangerous to drive due to wildlife on the often-unsealed roads,” Michael explains.

Michael stresses that Ronald McDonald House is much more than accommodation. 

“It is a community, a support network, a home away from home, providing a place to stay, meaning there is one less thing to worry about,” he says. 

“The House has been there for 25 years, providing support to regional and remote families during their darkest hour, being a bright light and beacon of hope for many, and that is why I’m honoured to support this fantastic charity.”

The Broken Hill Musicians Club has long supported the cause, highlighting the importance of cross-border connections in regional communities. However, Michael believes governments must do more. 

“As a rich first-world country, there is no excuse,” he says.

For Michael, the 24-hour experience also unlocked personal memories of his childhood friend Katy, who passed away from kidney failure at the age of 13.

“In the 29 years since Katy passed, I have never written about it and have spoken very little about it,” he reflects. 

“But after chatting with the families at the House, something triggered in me. I 

wanted to write about how difficult it was for regional families before the House, and I hope it helps governments understand how vital the new House with extra rooms will be.

“Katy and I created a bond over a love of music. We spent many hours recording, cutting and mixing music off the radio because CD albums were unaffordable. Music was something she loved, and something we could both enjoy together,” he says.

When Katy required treatment in Adelaide, the lack of a Ronald McDonald House forced her family to split, with Katy staying with relatives in Elizabeth while her mother returned to Broken Hill to care for her older daughter. 

“That situation is still too common, but thankfully less so thanks to charities such as RMHC,” Michael says.

“Doing as much as I can to ensure the new House is built and ready to cater for regional families once the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital is built will be my way of honouring my best friend’s memory and legacy. 

“Katy’s passing may have left a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her memory, love and legacy continue to fill our hearts with love and joy.”