Wesley Mission Queensland Archives

The Goodbye Sonya Treloar Never Had — and Why She Supports Hummingbird House

When Sonya Treloar’s premature infant son, Blake, passed away, there was no children’s hospice waiting to offer her family the privacy, time and space needed to absorb their tragic loss. She has recalled saying goodbye to Blake before he was taken away.

Nearly three decades on, that abrupt farewell deeply connects the prominent Brisbane real estate agent to Hummingbird House, Queensland’s only dedicated children’s hospice nestled quietly on Curwen Terrace in Chermside.

Her tragedy, and the compassionate care she wishes had been available to her own family, now underpin a vital community mission.

“My darling son Blake was born premature. He lived six weeks and then went to heaven,” Ms Treloar said.

“I never had an opportunity to spend time with him at a fabulous facility like Hummingbird House.

“The day that he died, I said goodbye and they took him away. Having time to grieve, to hold them, and to be with them after they’ve passed is so important to be able to say your goodbyes properly.”

A Chermside Sanctuary Built on Purpose

For Ms Treloar, supporting the Chermside refuge was never just a charitable gesture—it was a personal calling.

In the facility’s earliest days, she channelled her professional expertise as a real estate agent to assist founders Paul and Gabrielle Quilliam with property matters as they worked tirelessly to establish the hospice. The Quilliams conceived the idea after becoming foster parents to a child with a life-limiting condition and recognising the need for a children’s hospice in Queensland.

Their campaign ultimately secured a permanent home at Wesley Mission Queensland’s Wheller Gardens site in Chermside, creating a sanctuary away from clinical hospital wards where families could remain together.

Granting Families the Gift of Time

From its inception, Hummingbird House was designed to recognise that dying is a profound family journey rather than merely a medical event.

Operating as a licensed private healthcare facility with eight guest suites and five family accommodation units, the house allows relatives to stay for several days following a child’s passing. It gives parents, siblings and extended family time to say goodbye without being rushed—the kind of extended farewell Ms Treloar says she did not have when Blake died at six weeks old in 1996.

Beyond end-of-life and after-death care, the Chermside facility provides short-break stays, crisis and symptom-management stays, family support, allied health services and grief and bereavement support. Its facilities include a hydrotherapy pool and multisensory room.

Turning Personal Heartbreak into Community Action

Ms Treloar is once again turning her personal connection into active community leadership by hosting the annual Pink & Pearls for a Purpose fundraiser in support of Hummingbird House.

Confirmed by Wesley Mission Queensland, the event will take place on Friday, 25 September 2026, at Waters Edge at Portside in Hamilton, running from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm with individual tickets priced at $200 and tables of 10 at $2,000.

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While Ms Treloar cannot alter her own final moments with Blake, her dedication ensures that other Queensland parents navigating the heartbreak of losing a child are granted a gentler, more dignified way to say goodbye.

Published 18-Aug-2026

Chermside-Based Disability Employment Program ORCA to Close After Eight Years

Photo Credit: YouTube/Wesley Mission Queensland

Families of young people with disability are scrambling to find alternatives after Wesley Mission Queensland announced it will close the ORCA Project, an employment-readiness program that has helped school leavers transition into the workforce since 2018.

The Brisbane-based service, operated by the Chermside-headquartered charity, will finish on 26 June. Wesley Mission Queensland says rising costs, increasing compliance requirements and changes across the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) sector have made the program unsustainable.

Loss of a Pathway

For some families, the closure feels like the loss of a pathway they had spent years searching for.

Among those affected is a teenage boy who joined ORCA after leaving school. He lives with autism and a rare chromosomal condition that affects his communication, learning and overall health. His family said the program was helping him build a future around his strong interest in information technology while providing the support he needs to navigate the workplace.

Another participant, a young woman, attended ORCA while completing her schooling. She lives with Williams syndrome, a genetic condition that can affect learning and development. Her family said the program had helped her become more independent and confident, including learning practical skills such as using public transport on her own.

Families who spoke publicly following the announcement described feeling shocked and concerned about what comes next.

Photo Credit: YouTube/Wesley Mission Queensland

Built Because Families Could Not Find Enough Support

The ORCA Project was established after parents and disability advocates identified a gap between school and employment for young people with disability.

Rather than focusing solely on classroom learning, the program combined training with real workplace experience. Participants worked alongside employers, developed practical job skills and explored career options in supported environments.

What began as a small initiative grew steadily over the years. ORCA built partnerships with businesses, community organisations and employers across South East Queensland, creating opportunities for young people who might otherwise struggle to gain workplace experience.

More than 90 participants took part in the program during 2025, completing more than 300 work placements.

Why Wesley Mission Queensland Says ORCA Can No Longer Continue

Wesley Mission Queensland described the closure as a difficult decision.

The organisation said disability providers are facing increasing pressure from rising operating costs, compliance obligations and changes to funding arrangements. It also revealed attempts were made to transfer the program to another provider, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Participants have since been offered assistance to identify alternative programs and training opportunities.

The closure comes as the NDIS undergoes significant reform, with governments seeking to slow the growth of the scheme’s spending. While some families fear these changes are reducing available support options, the National Disability Insurance Agency says it funds participants rather than providers directly and has reported growth in employment-related supports.

More Than a Program Closure

Supporters of ORCA argue its value extended beyond job preparation.

Former participants have gone on to secure employment in industries including technology, retail and community services. Wesley Mission Queensland has previously promoted the program as a way of helping people with disability build independence while connecting employers with capable workers.

For families now searching for alternatives, the challenge is not simply finding another service. It is finding one that offers the same combination of workplace experience, individual support and long-term preparation for employment.

Published 22-June-2026

Wesley Mission Queensland Team Wins National Honour for Volunteer Support

Photo Credit: Wesley Mission Queensland/Facebook

A small team with a big impact, Wesley Mission Queensland’s Volunteer Relations unit has been named best in the country for teamwork at this year’s Ageing Australia awards.

Supporting Thousands Across Queensland

Wesley Mission Queensland’s Volunteer Relations team has won the Team – Teamwork category at the 2025 Ageing Australia You Are ACE! Awards. Selected from over 500 national nominations, the team was recognised for its collaboration, clear communication, and positive impact on thousands of volunteers and those they support.

*Photo Credit: Wesley Mission Queensland/Facebook*

The awards were announced on 7 August during Aged Care Employee Day, which celebrates staff and volunteers in aged care, retirement living, and community services. This national recognition highlights the team’s vital role in supporting Wesley Mission Queensland’s volunteer network.

Recognised for Teamwork on a National Scale

The Team – Teamwork award is one of 15 categories in the You Are ACE! Awards, which honour excellence in the aged care sector. Wesley Mission Queensland stood out for how its small Volunteer Relations team manages a large, diverse network of more than 2,500 volunteers.

Judges praised the team’s effective collaboration and ability to keep volunteers connected to the organisation’s mission and values. Their work ensures volunteers have the support and resources needed to deliver consistent care across aged care, disability, mental health, and community programs.

More Than Just Volunteer Coordination

Beyond rostering and daily communication, the Volunteer Relations team works to foster a sense of belonging and purpose for volunteers. This includes training opportunities, recognition programs, and ongoing support that align with Wesley Mission Queensland’s values of compassion, justice, and integrity.

The team’s approach directly contributes to the quality of care provided, whether it’s companionship in aged care homes or practical assistance in community programs.

Strengthening Community Impact

Winning this award highlights Wesley Mission Queensland’s volunteer support and the vital role volunteers play in community services.

For the organisation, it’s both recognition of the team’s commitment and a chance to inspire more people to get involved. With services across 60+ Queensland locations, the Volunteer Relations team helps create positive outcomes for people of all ages in the community.

Published 14-August-2025

Wesley Mission Queensland in Chermside Fights Loneliness Through Volunteers

One in four adults in Australia have volunteered since the Covid-19 pandemic, but Wesley Mission Queensland based in Chermside is providing flexible volunteering opportunities that are reviving interest and combating loneliness in aged care facilities across Brisbane.

Wesley Mission Queensland runs the volunteer-led, government-funded Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS) in its aged care communities. The scheme aims to reduce the impacts of isolation and boredom amongst older Australians by pairing them with volunteer visitors for weekly or fortnightly visits over a cup of tea and a chat.

Changing Volunteering Landscape

While volunteering rates have steadily declined across Australia since 2010, Wesley Mission Queensland has maintained a steady volunteer base by offering flexible, short-term opportunities tailored to people’s lifestyles.

“With the average age of our volunteer network now being 49 years old, we understand that people wish to give back in ad hoc opportunities which suit their lifestyle. They also seek to be engaged in a number of short-term volunteer opportunities to grow their portfolio and ‘try before they buy’,” said Volunteer Relations Manager Nicole Mujdrica.

The ACVVS combats social isolation and loneliness among older Australians and offers a profound sense of purpose to volunteers from diverse backgrounds.

“Volunteering and spending time with Maureen (aged care resident) has really put things in perspective for me. It helps me to be more present and value my good health and age now because I know it doesn’t last forever,” Lisa Bellamywells, a 52-year-old mother balancing part-time work and family responsibilities, said.

Mitchell Ward, a 32-year-old former support worker who joined in February 2024.

“I love spending time with the oldies, making them feel comfortable and to brighten their day it makes me feel good giving back to the community.”

Wesley Mission Queensland National Volunteer Week — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Call to Action for National Volunteer Week

As National Volunteer Week is celebrated from May 20-26, Wesley Mission Queensland invites individuals of all ages to volunteer and drive positive change in their communities through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme.

“It’s only an hour out of your week that makes a massive difference to the residents’ entire week – I hope someone is compassionate enough to spend an hour with me in my older years,” Lisa said.

Published 24-May-2024