1. What is Ross House?
Ross House is the only self managed and community owned not-for-profit building in Melbourne, Australia and has been an important part of the social justice and environment community in Melbourne for over two decades.
Ross House is a place for community groups to grow, connect and evolve.The five-storey heritage listed Ross House building in Flinders Lane provides affordable, accessible office space to over 50 small not-for-profit groups working towards environmental and social justice.
Ross House also offers affordable meeting room hire and other resources to anyone who might like to use them.
2. How do you book a room at Ross House?
If you would like to book a meeting room at Ross House you must first register for an online account at www.rosshouse.org.au.Once approved you will be able to sign in to your account and book a room via our live booking calendar.
Payment is made on booking via PayPal or credit card.
More information can be found in our Meeting Room User Guide Here
For queries contact the Front Desk at rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au
Recurring Bookings
If you are interested in setting up recurring bookings, such as on a weekly or monthly basis, please contact the Front Desk on (03) 9650 1599
3. What are the current COVID19 Requirements?
It is no longer a requirement for people / groups to have a COVIDSafe plan or to wear masks within Ross House. However, we do encourage people to wear masks if social distancing is not possible or if engaging with vulnerable communities.
4. Who can join the Ross House Association?
Membership is open to organisations which are:
1. Community and self-help groups: these are organisations where decisions are made by members. Some of these groups have members who share the same medical or social condition (self-help) or have the same concern (community groups).
2. Small groups: with under 570hrs per week of paid staff and needing less than 135m2 of space.
3. Groups collaborating for social justice and (or) environmental sustainability. Individuals and businesses can become Ross House supporters.
For more information via our members page here.
5. How much does it cost to join?
Non profit organisations working towards environmental sustainability and (or) social justice goals can become a member of Ross House for $85 per year (excluding GST). If you are a for-profit group or an individual, you can become a Ross House supporter by making a tax deductible donation. You can contribute to this unique social justice and environment movement by donating to the National Trust of Australia Ross House Heritage Appeal.
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque, please make it out to The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and send it to Ross House Association, 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000. For more information, please call (03) 9650 1599.
6. What does membership involve?
Each member organisation delegates a member to represent itself at Ross House Association general meetings. The Association is managed by a committee elected from these representatives at the Annual General Meeting, usually held in October or November each year. A series of sub-committees deal with specific areas of responsibility. Any members of a Ross House Association member organisation can make a contribution to the management of the Ross House Association through these sub-committees. There are also ad-hoc opportunities to contribute and influence the Ross House Association through member’s consultations and short term task groups.
7. How do you get an office at Ross House?
All tenants of Ross House have to first be accepted as Ross House members (see who can join above). The activities of your organisation will then be assessed to see if they are appropriate for the building. The layout of the building makes confidentiality very difficult and noisy activities too disruptive.
The first step to becoming a tenant is to make an application for membership and then tenancy. Applications are considered by a sub-committee and then the committee of the Ross House Association. Both applications can be considered at the same time.
Please email membership@rosshouse.org.au to discuss tenancy options.
8. When is the Ross House Office staffed?
The Front Desk is staffed from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday. The phoneline and email accounts are monitored 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
For emergencies outside of business hours please contact Security on 1300 02 04 06.
9. How can I access Ross House after hours?
To access Ross House after hours you will need your swipe (for tenants) or a 4-digit access code (meeting room users).
This 4-digit access code can be found in your booking confirmation, and booking reminder emails. This same code will allow access through the main doors, onto the necessary level, and into the meeting room.
Each booking will have it’s own code. For example, if you book a room for a Saturday and Sunday you will need to locate two different codes in your confirmation email. View our ‘Where to Find Your 4-Digit Access Code’ here.
Please note: Meeting rooms require this 4-digit code at all times. Please see point 10 for more information.
For any questions or help locating this code please contact the Font Desk during business hours at rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au.
10. How do I access the meeting rooms?
A 4-digit access code is required at all times to gain entry into the meeting rooms at Ross House. This code can be found in your booking confirmation email, is displayed on check out, and is displayed in your online user account under ‘bookings’.
Please input the code into the keypad to the side of the meeting room door. Please note: the door will remain unlocked for 1 hour after inputting the code.
For any questions or help locating this code please contact the Font Desk during business hours at rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au.
11. What is the process with mail and deliveries?
Mail is collected from our post box at Flinders Lane Post Office and distributed into pigeon holes on a daily basis.
Deliveries can be accepted by the Front Desk between 10am -4pm Monday to Friday.
If there is anything important you are waiting on, please inform the Front Desk.
Mail handling is included in tenancy and available to members at an additional cost. Contact the Front Desk at rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au for more information.
12. Can I book a car space?
Ross House has two carparks that can be booked on a casual basis.
Please contact the Front Desk at rosshouse@rosshouse.org.au to book.
Afterhours carpark access is also available.
To exit the carpark after hours please press the BLUE button on the left of the roller door. You can find more detailed instructions here.
If you have booked a carpark after hours and have not received an access code please contact the Front Desk during business hours on (03) 9650 1599.
13. Our organisation has changed in size and we may need a new office. What is the process?
Please email membership@rosshouse.org.au to discuss tenancy options.
If there are no suitable offices currently available you will be put on a waitlist.
14. We have furniture we need to get rid of, how can RHA help?
Hard Waste Collection
Ross House organises two gratis hard waste collections per annum for odd items that tenants may need to discard. Please note that this is a service provided to all tenants and not on an individual needs basis.
Should you require a specific office hard waste collection that involves multiple items, the cost is $100 per m3.
Please address queries to the Facilities Manager at n.marchionda@rosshouse.org.au
Buy Sell Give Facebook Group
To give furniture a new life join the Ross House Buy Sell Give Donate group on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2124908287663214
Is Ross House Accessible?
Our offices and meeting rooms are easily accessible through the main lift at the lower ground entrance off Flinders Lane. All floor entry doors are automated. Accessible toilets are located at the back of each floor, with additional ones on levels 1-4 near the kitchens. Two dedicated accessible car parks are located in front of Ross House on Flinders Lane (must display a valid permit), and an accessible car park can be booked (at cost) in our basement. For any accessibility questions, please contact us