The Motel Of A Million Stars

Stories The Motel Of A Million Stars ‘The F Word’ Podcast Series, Episode 5 Friend of Orange Sky, Ros If you’ve been following Orange Sky’s impact for a while, you’ve probably seen or heard something from one of our first friends, Ros. Ros’ fierce independence and dedication to helping every person she came across, volunteers and friends alike, will go down in Orange Sky history. Ros was an educated business owner, a mother of two and a community-maker when personal challenges led her to experience homelessness. While sleeping rough, Ros sold flowers and befriended people from all walks of life, and used that network to connect others to essential services like Orange Sky, and to communities where they could be cared for and valued. Episode 5 of The F Word is dedicated to celebrating our dear friend for all her quirks and kindness, featuring interviews with a collection of her friends and admirers. You won't regret reading Ros' incredible story, through her own words, here. From Friends of Ros “She just wanted to help everyone, it was really weird. I’ve never met another person like her. She just wanted to help everyone, it was like, her thing. She’d seen some pretty full on stuff, the worst of it, I think. I just couldn’t understand… she was on a life mission to help everyone.” “I think if you [offered Ros a mansion on the beach], she’d say ‘thanks but no thanks’. It was… it was Ros’ dream to help homeless and the vulnerable. She had a dream of [buying land and a house] in the hope of getting some of, I call it, ‘her flock’ – you know drug addicts, alcoholics, whatever – [to come] out there where they’re away from the temptations of a bottle shop or a dealer on the street. Sadly it didn’t come to fruition.” “She didn’t have any fear. She called it the motel of a million stars.” “I would ask about her family, she would ask about my family […]. When I went to her funeral, the church was absolutely packed.” Defying Stereotypes Ros’ experience of homelessness was far from stereotypical, and the circumstances that led her to sleeping rough were similarly outside the norm. Prior to her passing, Ros seized the opportunity to challenge stereotypes around homelessness on a far greater scale through Orange Sky, and to be the narrator of her own story. We are proud that she trusted us to keep her story, and her spark of determination, alive and burning. Related Stories Orange Sky Laundromats Our innovative laundromats allow us to reach more people who need access to laundry and meaningful connection. --> Supporting Frontline Responses to Homelessness in Queensland Orange Sky recently created a homelessness education resource for the Queensland Police Service, designed to support officers and frontline responders in understanding homelessness more deeply, and in approaching interactions with empathy, professionalism and cultural awareness. 29/1/26 Lessons in empathy: Why homelessness education belongs in every classroom When you ask a class of students what the word “homelessness” means, you’ll often hear the same answer: “someone sleeping on the street”. It’s an image many of us grew up with, one that’s reinforced repeatedly in movies, media and everyday language, but it tells only one part of the story. 27/11/25 Spotlight: Tranby Engagement Hub, Perth How one partnership became our new Internal Laundry Service Model. --> Lucas Patchett Shortlisted for Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year From the 3,500+ volunteers who show up on shift each week, to our 70+ dedicated staff members, to the donors and partners who back our mission, to the friends who trust us with their possessions and their stories, this shortlisting celebrates all of us. 21/10/25 Walking Together at Garma Festival 2025 There are few places as significant as Yolŋu Country in northeast Arnhem Land, and few gatherings as powerful as the Garma Festival. 12/9/25 Orange Sky Laundromats Our innovative laundromats allow us to reach more people who need access to laundry and meaningful connection. Anna --> Supporting Frontline Responses to Homelessness in Queensland Orange Sky recently created a homelessness education resource for the Queensland Police Service, designed to support officers and frontline responders in understanding homelessness more deeply, and in approaching interactions with empathy, professionalism and cultural awareness. 29/1/26 Lessons in empathy: Why homelessness education belongs in every classroom When you ask a class of students what the word “homelessness” means, you’ll often hear the same answer: “someone sleeping on the street”. It’s an image many of us grew up with, one that’s reinforced repeatedly in movies, media and everyday language, but it tells only one part of the story. 27/11/25 Spotlight: Tranby Engagement Hub, Perth How one partnership became our new Internal Laundry Service Model. Anna --> Lucas Patchett Shortlisted for Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year From the 3,500+ volunteers who show up on shift each week, to our 70+ dedicated staff members, to the donors and partners who back our mission, to the friends who trust us with their possessions and their stories, this shortlisting celebrates all of us. 21/10/25 Walking Together at Garma Festival 2025 There are few places as significant as Yolŋu Country in northeast Arnhem Land, and few gatherings as powerful as the Garma Festival. 12/9/25 Explore more stories Our Services Free laundry and showers Free laundry, showers and conversation for people experiencing homelessness or hardship. Remote Communities We offer free laundry facilities to residents in remote communities - where access can be limited, expensive and unreliable. Natural Disaster Response When disasters strike, we are committed to providing relief for people impacted through clean laundry, warm showers and a safe space for connection. Womens Services Our women's shifts create supportive and safe communities for women experiencing vulnerable living. Scroll for more