Community
21 November, 2025
Comfort and care when needed most
FOR over a decade Warrnambool’s Rotary House has provided emergency and respite accommodation for those who have travelled from outlying areas to undergo treatment at local hospitals.
Since opening its doors on November 22, 2013, the house has welcomed almost 7,000 people; providing a warm and welcoming environment during what can be an emotional and stressful time.
“The aim of Rotary House is to assist people who find themselves in need of short-term accommodation while undergoing treatment at South West Healthcare, St John of God Hospital, the South West Regional Cancer Centre and Warrnambool’s aged care facilities,” retail manager Beth McGinley said.
“These are people who have often travelled long distances for medical care in Warrnambool and have found themselves in need of somewhere close by to stay.
“We are extremely grateful to Rotary for not only seeing the need for this, and subsequently raising the $1.4million needed to build this facility 12 years ago, but also for meeting ongoing costs and maintenance.
“It was a huge undertaking for Rotarians, with extremely generous donations from the local community despite the fact this (house) caters for those travelling from outside our local borders.”
Rotary House Warrnambool was officially opened by the then Premier, Denis Napthine, on Friday, November 22, 2013.
“As we celebrate the 12th anniversary of Rotary House it is worth recalling that the project, including the fundraising for it, was driven by Warrnambool’s four Rotary clubs and generously supported by other Rotary and community clubs and organisations, the residents, tradespeople and shopkeepers,” Rotarian Ray Welsford said.
“Originally, we also had donations of $500,000 from the federal government and $250,000 from the Andrew Jack Foundation through the Rotary clubs of Portland and Portland Bay.
“Donations in kind, both goods and labour, contributed around $500,000 to the overall project and the block of land was donated by South West Healthcare (SWH).”
Rotary House contains 12 ensuite units as well as a communal kitchen and lounge.
Some of the units are disability compliant, while a larger one is suitable for a family.
The day-to-day management of the house is undertaken by SWH while Warrnambool’s Rotary clubs continue to provide residual funds to maintain and upgrade the facility.
Over the past 12 months, 395 people have used the house with each guest staying, on average, 2.4 nights.
Guests have travelled from all over the western district and south east South Australia, with the majority from Mount Gambier (24 per cent), Hamilton (12 per cent) and Portland (11 per cent).
During 2024/25, 68 per cent of those were treated at Warrnambool Base Hospital, 31 per cent at the South West Regional Cancer Centre and a small number at Warrnambool’s St John of God Hospital.
Of the medical reasons behind the stay, 29 per cent related to maternity, 19 per cent surgical and 10 per cent paediatric.
