Wesley Mission

NSW Government’s Half-Term Report on Gambling Reform: Are We Seeing Real Change? Two years into the Minns Government’s term, poker machine losses in NSW have hit record highs, with over $8.64 billion lost in 2024 alone. That's more than $1 million every hour 😨 While some minor reforms have been introduced, such as removing gambling signage outside venues, and banning political donations from clubs with poker machines, real action to curb gambling harm is still missing. Key reforms that would have a real impact on reducing harm include a mandatory cashless gambling card with loss limits and powering down poker machines between midnight and 10am. However, these actions have yet to be implemented ... 💬 “The community sentiment for these reforms is strong and people are looking to Mr Minns and Mr Speakman to have the moral courage and bipartisan political will to act in the best interests of the community and introduce genuine reforms in this term of parliament,” says Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron. 📢 We’re urging the government to act now before more families are impacted. It’s time to #PutPokiesInTheirPlace. Read the full Media Release 'NSW Government’s Half-Term Report Card on gambling reform shows little real progress' here: https://lnkd.in/g_NYBBeC

“I think it was important to speak today because I feel like when women are given the opportunity to speak and to have a voice, they should take it,” says Ruby Wagenvoord. ✨ We’re incredibly proud of Ruby, Wesley Family Preservation Team Leader, for representing #WesleyMission at LEAD Professional Development Association Inc's #IWD2025 event, where she offered valuable leadership insights within the child protection sector. 💙 The event, “Accelerating Action Together: The Power of the Community Sector”, was an opportunity for women, like Ruby, to speak up about the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres, and drive real change! “I’m in such a lucky place to work for Wesley [Mission], and to work alongside men who want to build women up. Not just hold that space for themselves, but empower and advocate for women,” Ruby says. 👏 A huge thank you to our partners, LEAD, Community Migrant Resource Centre and Harman Foundation for making this event possible. #AccelerateAction #InternationalWomensDay2025

New research: Gambling losses surpass household bills. Today, Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron and Chief Advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform Tim Costello, met in Sydney to release a new report that reveals the devastating reality of gambling losses in Australia. Sadly, the report shows that gambling losses now outweigh electricity and gas bills. The stress on individuals and families is enormous – and avoidable. Stronger public policy can help turn the tide. Commissioned by Wesley Mission and the Alliance for Gambling Reform, this new report from Equity Economics highlights the urgent need for stronger gambling reforms to protect vulnerable Australians from financial hardship. Steps like banning gambling ads would make a real difference. As Stu Cameron explains: “There is overwhelming public support for banning gambling advertising. It’s time for the major parties to stop dancing to the tune of the sports gambling industry and have the political will and moral courage to act in accordance with the community’s wishes.” Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/g6efFqyF It’s time to put people before profits and ban a key gambling trigger – the ads. #GamblingReform #WesleyMission #BanGamblingAds #CostOfLiving

Through community, conversation and connection, Wesley Lifeforce supports 135 communities around Australia to work together to reduce suicide and its impacts. On Friday Uncle Mark Spinks from Babana, Wayside Chapel’s Jon Owen and Wesley Mission CEO Stu Cameron launched our affiliate Lifeforce Suicide Prevention Network - Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group at the First Nations Mental Health and Wellbeing Day at Paddington Uniting Church. Our traditional custodians have been meeting on this ground for tens of thousands of years to find solutions to big problems. Community is always the solution … together.

In the midst of life’s demands, how do we stay deeply connected to God? Stu Cameron recently joined The Becoming Podcast to talk about the spiritual rhythms that keep him grounded and how we can all cultivate a deeper sense of faith in our daily lives. It’s a conversation about making space for God and embracing that journey, wherever you are on it. Tune in to reflect on what spiritual practices bring you closer to God. Listen here 🎧 https://lnkd.in/gbpEcTBG

For more than 200 years, our vision has been to do all the good we can – by supporting people in all stages of life, advocating for the vulnerable, and fighting injustice and inequity. We’ve refreshed our website and brand to be more accessible and serve people better. This shift reflects our relentless commitment and our unchanging heart – to do more good, because every life matters. Share this vision? Follow us for ways to help and inspiring stories, or click through to see how we can help you 👉 https://lnkd.in/gjhfhfhP

Have you ever thought about quitting social media? 🤔 Our CEO Stu Cameron appeared on Hope 103.2 podcast to share why he’s walking away from social media in 2025 (with the exception of what he shares for Wesley Mission and other entities he supports) – and what he’s learned about digital wellbeing along the way. Eager to devote more time to God, relationships and reading, Stu believes everyone can rethink the grip social media has upon us. Tune in now to this interview for an eye-opening discussion! 🎧 Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/gQBhc_db

On February 13, 2008, former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd formally apologised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations who endured significant trauma due to past government policies of forced removal and assimilation. These policies caused detrimental transgenerational trauma, disconnection and displacement amongst many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. 17 years later, while the National Apology reminds us of progress, there’s more work to be done. Wesley Mission remains committed to creating a just, equitable, and healing culture 🖤💛❤️ Today, our Wesley Vocational Institute team held an afternoon tea with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diploma students, staff and Aboriginal Elders. Listening to deeply moving stories from Aunty Jenny and Aunty Daisy, it remains clear that our work towards reconciliation must continue as we walk together in word and deed to strengthen the bridge from now to next. Want to know more about our actions? 📧 RAP@wesleymission.org.au Want to learn more? 📺 Watch the apology 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEDusrue ℹ️ National Apology 👉 https://lnkd.in/guYMvJ2r ℹ️ The Stolen Generations 👉 https://lnkd.in/g29WJCKe ℹ️ Bring them Home Report (1997) 👉 https://lnkd.in/g9th8Gx4 #NationalApology #Reconciliation #NationalSorryDay

We’re pleased to share that our CEO & Superintendent Stu Cameron will speak at the 7th National Housing and Homelessness Forum 2025. Don’t miss hearing Stu and other experts discuss ways of improving housing accessibility and ending homelessness – and be part of the conversation to drive change! Registration information below 👇🏼