Rosies in Australia was founded by Catholic Priest, Fr Tom Shortall, OMI, in Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula. The outreach began as a drop in centre for young people who were holidaying with their families. The centre was a place of fun and friendship and helped keep these teenagers off the streets and out of trouble.

Fellow priest, Fr Paul Costello, OMI brought Rosies to Queensland in 1987, to outreach to the year twelve students that were flocking to the Gold Coast for the Schoolies Week festival. It was during this time that Fr Paul and volunteers cam into contact with the local homeless community.

Fr Paul, a member of the religious order, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate founded by St Eugene de Mazenod, was by inspired by the founder's famous credo, "Leave nothing undared" and rallied to respond to the obvious need by beginning outreaches to the homeless.

Our different definition of homelessness, that it is an emotional condition, requiring a human response (as opposed to houselessness, which requires the provision of shelter and other physical necessities) is what make Rosies such a unique organisation.

In Christ's Love we strive to:

Accept their individuality

Believe in their worth

Hope for their future

Love them where they are