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Diversity, equity and inclusion

Championing a culture of inclusion and belonging for all.

Wesley Mission Queensland fosters a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that every individual is valued, welcomed, and empowered.

In this page:

At Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ), our commitment to disability, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) is summed up in two core beliefs: "Everyone is welcome here. Everyone is celebrated here." Guided by these principles, we aim to create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive, embracing all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.

My name is Sophie.
Hi. I'm Paasi.
Venetia.
Hi, I'm Chelsea.
Assad.
My name is Anneline.
I'm Lydia and we belong to Wesley Mission Queensland.
You may have noticed
that we do things a little differently around here.
We take time to listen.
Celebrate where we are from.
Find the things that connect us.
Because we truly believe we are all interconnected.
And that if we look hard enough, we can see ourselves in each other.
No matter where we come from,
our age,
identity,
religion,
or beliefs.
Because when you're part of Wesley Mission Queensland,
you're part of a special place.
A place that wants to learn your story
and be part of it.
So join us,
so join us,
join us,
so join us.

What DEIB means to us

Diversity

We celebrate unique qualities including race, gender, age, sexual orientation, abilities, cultural heritage, and background. Diversity enriches our organisation by bringing fresh perspectives.

Equity

We remove barriers, provide equal opportunities, and address systemic imbalances. Our goal is to meet individual needs and ensure everyone has the support to succeed.

Inclusion

We go beyond acceptance, striving to create a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected. Inclusion fosters collaboration and ensures diverse voices are heard.

Belonging

We create a sense of community where everyone feels essential and empowered to contribute fully.

Our commitment in action

Aligned with our values, our Action Plan promotes inclusivity across five key pillars:

Education and awareness

Offering training to enhance understanding of cultural nuances, intersectionality, and belonging.

Inclusive representation

Ensuring leadership reflects the diversity of our workforce and communities.

Accessibility and support

Making physical and digital spaces accessible, including for both visible and invisible disabilities.

Community engagement

Partnering with diverse organisations to promote inclusion.

Recognition

Celebrating cultural events and milestones that highlight the uniqueness of all people.
At Wesley Mission Queensland, a key objective in our diversity and inclusion agenda is to mirror the rich variety of the community we work alongside and serve. This aligns with the Wesley Charter, which guides what we value, the way we work, and what we strive for.

- Jude Emmer, Chief Executive Officer.

Jude Emmer, WMQ's Chief Executive Officer

Our DEIB policy

WMQ’s DEIB Policy ensures all individuals, are recognised and empowered, regardless of background or circumstances.

We foster a culture of belonging, promote diversity, and ensure accessibility for all. With a strict zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and harassment, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

This policy is part of our Strategic Plan, guiding us toward equity and representation. All employees and volunteers are expected to engage respectfully, show empathy, and celebrate differences.

Anybody is welcome here ... No matter who you are or where you come from ... It makes me happy to give a stranger a big friendly smile and see the tension and sometimes fear, melt away when they realise, I am here for them … Many people who come in have so much going on in their lives and are vulnerable. It is an honor for me to be that face for these people ... After all, strangers are just friends we haven’t gotten to know yet..

- Leanne Southall, Elorac Place Administration Support Worker.

How our DEIB commitment supports employees

We’re proud of our DEIB initiatives, which include:

Supporting mental and physical health through programs like Beyond Blue training, mental health first aid officers, and employee assistance programs.

Staff can earn a badge after completing training on respectfully engaging with LGBTIQA+ individuals.

Paid leave for birth, adoption, surrogacy, health issues, and loss.

Up to 10 days of unpaid leave per year for cultural practices, ceremonies, or holidays.

Offers insight into respectful, inclusive language to ensure everyone feels valued, respected and understood.  

Educating staff on communication and respect for First Nations People.

Options for remote work, flexible hours, and hybrid schedules to support staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance.  

The option to, where possible, swap the Australia Day public holiday for another mutually agreeable day.

When I moved from the Netherlands, WMQ provided me with an incredible opportunity to join their team. While my English was quite good, I initially struggled with industry jargon and, of course, the unique charm of Australian slang! Mastering a new language - especially making it feel natural in your work - can be quite a challenge. Recognising this, WMQ offered me tailored English lessons that significantly improved my language skills and, just as importantly, boosted my confidence. The support was highly personalised, focusing on my specific needs, and I am still deeply grateful for it.

- Marije Sandman, STARH Program Coordinator.

Driving change

We believe in the transformative power of diversity and belonging. Our DEIB Steering Committee is key to embedding these values into everything we do. Through clear policies, ongoing education, and open dialogue, we drive continuous improvement.

We’re proud to be members of the Diversity Council Australia and the Australian Network on Disability, strengthening our DEIB efforts beyond WMQ and contributing to broader equity and inclusion.

In this section

Supporting

600 people
in need

receive a free meal, sandwich or food parcel each week.

More than
90

young adults call our supported accommodation units home.

3,500
seniors

supported to lead a fulfilling and independent life.

More than
530

retirees reside in our award-winning independent retirement villages.

More than
1,000

adults and children received youth and parenting support.

Your story is our story

Wesley Mission Queensland. Helping Queenslanders live better lives since 1907.