News In BriefManagementIndustry voicesNewsHotel NewsSustainability Goals

A new chapter: Michael Johnson and the ReLove mission

Exclusive: Just months into retirement, Michael Johnson shares with AccomNews how a compelling cause reignited his passion for driving meaningful change.

When Michael Johnson stepped down as CEO of Accommodation Australia in July 2024, he announced his well-earned retirement after an illustrious 50-year career in the accommodation industry.

At the time, Michael reflected: “It felt like the right time to hand over the reins and enjoy more time with family and friends.”

However, just a few months into retirement, Michael found himself drawn to a cause that reignited his passion for creating meaningful change. That cause was ReLove, a Sydney-based charity transforming lives by furnishing homes for individuals and families transitioning out of crises like homelessness and domestic violence, also people seeking asylum.

“When I learned about ReLove, I immediately connected with how it aligns with the values of the hotel industry—social responsibility, sustainability, and creating positive change. It didn’t take long for me to realise I could make a difference as a volunteer ambassador, helping to spread the word and build partnerships with hotels,” Michael explained.

Michael Johnson, former, CEO, Accommodation Australia

The ReLove mission

Founded in 2019 by Renuka Fernando and Ben Stammer, ReLove began during the “big COVID clean-out” when the co-founders noticed high-quality furniture and homewares being discarded on Sydney streets. They hired a van, salvaged the items, and initially aimed to rehome furniture for just five families. What started as a small operation quickly grew into a not-for-profit organisation tackling two critical issues:

  1. Providing dignified homes for families in need, including those escaping domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, and individuals leaving incarceration.
  2. Reducing Australia’s staggering furniture waste, which contributes 30,000 tonnes of commercial furniture to landfills annually, with 95 percent of it being discarded unnecessarily.

At the heart of ReLove’s operations is the ReLove Free Store, where families can choose furniture and homewares that suit their tastes. Volunteers walk alongside clients to select everything they need to restart, and within 24 hours, a team delivers and sets up the items, turning empty spaces into homes.

“ReLove doesn’t just provide furniture—it restores dignity and hope,” Michael shared.

Since its inception, ReLove has:

  • Furnished homes for more than 2400 families, including many First Nations families.
  • Saved over 3100 tonnes of furniture from landfill, offsetting 5 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.
  • Provided $27.6 million worth of furniture and household items for free.
Renuka Fernando and Ben Stammer, Founders ReLove

A smart solution to a big problem

ReLove sources much of its furniture through donations from the hotel industry and commercial “defits” (strip-outs during refurbishments). Hotel brands like PARKROYAL, Accor, IHG, Ovolo,TFE and hotels such as Shangri-La Sydney have embraced the initiative, donating furniture such as beds, sofas, desks, TVs, towels, linen and an array of appliances that would otherwise go to landfill.

“It’s not that hotels don’t want to do the right thing,” co-founder Renuka Fernando explained. “There’s just never been a structured solution for them. ReLove provides that framework, making it easy for hotels to do the environmentally and socially responsible thing.”

ReLove also partners with construction companies, integrating furniture donations into project tenders. As Fernando pointed out: “Commercial-grade furniture is designed to last, making it perfect for families who need durable, long-lasting solutions.”

Mobilising the hotel industry

As ReLove’s Ambassador, Michael Johnson is leveraging his decades of experience and connections in the accommodation sector to grow the charity’s reach. Major hotel groups have already stepped up, and Michael continues to engage new partners while highlighting the win-win benefits of supporting ReLove:

“Hotels can meet their sustainability goals while helping families in need. Seeing families regain their independence in a space they can call their own is humbling and incredibly rewarding.”

Hans Joachim, Hotel Manager of PARKROYAL Parramatta, shared insights into the hotel’s recent collaboration with ReLove during the refurbishment of its 196 rooms. Determined to prioritise sustainability, Hans and his team sought to donate as much furniture and furnishings as possible to avoid adding to landfill.

“We connected with ReLove early last year because they had previously worked with our sister property PARKROYAL Darling Harbour, Sydney, Hans explained. “ReLove helped us repurpose almost all of the contents from our rooms—from beds and lounge chairs to irons and hairdryers. We replaced all of our beds, and most were less than 10 years old. Factoring in two years of no use due to COVID, some were practically new.

“Even our linen will eventually be donated to ReLove. Their approach aligns perfectly with our sustainability focus, and partnering with them was not only the right thing to do but also a great story to share with our guests.”

Reflecting on ReLove’s ambassador, Michael Johnson, Hans added: “Michael was once my General Manager here at PARKROYAL Parramatta. He is one of the most authentic and genuine people in the business. Becoming an ambassador for ReLove is a fantastic move for him. He’s incredibly well-respected and brings so much to the table with his stellar reputation and extensive connections.”

This partnership exemplifies how hotels can lead with purpose, combining sustainability with meaningful social impact.

PARKROYAL Parramatta

Growing the vision

ReLove’s vision for the future is ambitious: to help expand the charity’s reach nationally. Plans include engaging more hotels across Australia, securing partnerships with developers, and to assist with hosting high-profile fundraising events like the upcoming ReLove dinner in May 2025.

“The hotel industry has the potential to be a driving force behind ReLove’s mission. Together, we can provide families that have experienced homelessness and domestic violence with a fresh start while protecting the environment for future generations.”

Michael invites everyone in the accommodation sector to get involved. Your support—whether through donations, partnerships, or raising awareness—could be the key to transforming a family’s future.

He added: “Hotels can help transform lives while reducing waste.”

For more information or to get involved, visit www.relove.org.au.

One Comment

  1. I’ve only recently been told about about the ReLove organisation and the wonderful work that Renuka and Ben’s team do – such a wonderful intelligent and caring charity.

    Please keep me in the loop.

    Paul

Leave a comment for the community...

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
WP Tumblr Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com
AccomNews