Our history
1847
1907
The Church’s mission is formally recognised as the Central Methodist Mission and Reverend Rowe establishes Sisters of the People to provide assistance to women and children in need.
Brisbane's newspaper boys are invited to attend a supper in the local hall.
Many of them are homeless and as a result a savings plan is established to help the boys escape the cycle of poverty.
1930s
In 1936, Queensland's first aged care community, the Garden Settlement (now Wheller Gardens), opens at Chermside. At the time it was considered a challenging, even daring experiment.
1964 - 1974
In 1964, Toowong Child Care Centre opens. The centre has shared in the lives of two generations of locals, with parents who were previously pupils at the centre enrolling their own children to attend.
A decade later, MailpaQ (now Wesley Industries) is established. Wesley Industries is a not-for-profit digital printing, packing and warehousing service that employs people with disabilities, equipping them with life-long skills and promoting wellbeing.
1970s
A year later the Balmoral Uniting Community Centre is established. Originally a drop-in centre for the local community, the centre has evolved into an extensive network of community care services that cater for young and old.
1981
In 1981 the Health and Wellness Day Therapy Centre opens at Sinnamon Village. The therapy centre offers residents and the public a range of services including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and dietetics.
1985
1989
Jahjumbeen Occasional Child Care Centre (now Jahjumbeen Kindergarten and Child Care Centre) opens offering parents flexible child care from two hours to two weeks.
2002 - 2003
A year later the Sinnamon Village hydrotherapy pool opens at what is now known as the Fulton Wellbeing Centre. The pool is purpose-built to cater for the needs of the community, clients seeking general fitness, and people with complex physical and neurological conditions.
2004
2005-2007
In 2007 Wesley Mission Brisbane partners with advocacy organisation Youngcare to provide choice in housing for young people living with high care needs. The first state-of-the-art apartments at Sinnamon Village cater to the individual care needs of each resident to ensure they have the quality of life they deserve. WMB owns and operates the apartments and is proud to provide the ongoing care and support for residents.
2008
2009
2010
2012
2013
The fifth and final stage of the Wheller on the Park retirement village opens at Wheller Gardens. The independent living village has more than 340 units and is one of the largest retirement villages in Queensland.
2015 - 2016
Wesley Mission Brisbane changes its name
2016
Reverend Wheller’s dream continues to this day, and Wheller Gardens has grown to become a thriving community hub consisting of four aged care communities, a retirement village, a day therapy centre, corporate office, the National Auslan Interpreter Booking Service, two cafes and Hummingbird House.
2017
2018
2019
Rosemount Retirement Community (Stage 1) opens in Sinnamon Park, part of our long-term strategic plan to build integrated and intergenerational communities where older Australians can live and age with dignity and choice.
Our palliative care services expanded by merging with Hopewell Hospice and Paradise Kids on the Gold Coast. These services have a long history of providing quality end-of-life care and grief and loss services for terminally ill people and their families.
We also expanded our Mental Health Services by becoming the new operator of headspace Capalaba and a satellite centre in Maryborough.
WMQ invested in the expansion of our specialist disability accommodation options with the opening of WesleyCare Jindalee at Sinnamon Park, and established a Home Support NDIS service to support people and provide increased opportunities for community participation.
2020
2021
2022
WesleyCare Murarrie opened, increasing accommodation options for people living with a disability.
2023
2024
In this section
Supporting
600 people
in need
receive a free meal, sandwich or food parcel each week.
8,220
individuals
receive mental health support.
3,500
seniors
supported to lead a fulfilling and independent life.
More than
600
retirees reside in our award-winning independent retirement villages.
480 QLD children
and families receive respite, end of life, and after death care.