News • 05 Sep 2022

Chief Operating Officer Message: Celebrating 110 Years

This year we are proud to recognise Open Minds 110 years of supporting the community since it began its mission as the Queensland Wattle Day League in 1912.

Chief Operating Officer Message: Celebrating 110 years 

This year we are proud to recognise Open Minds 110 years of supporting the community since it began its mission as the Queensland Wattle Day League in 1912. 

The Queensland Wattle Day League was progressive for its time, raising funds for art scholarships and supporting soldiers returning from the world wars, including the build of an orthopaedic ward at the Rosemount Hospital to supply artificial limbs. 

110 years on, our purpose hasn’t changed. We still support people in our community. However, we now have more than 450 staff supporting more than 4,000 clients across a variety of services in Queensland and northern New South Wales.  

We are defined by our purpose to enable an independent and positive future for people living with mental illness and disabilities, and are led by our values of integrity, curiosity, respect and being together and people centred. 

We may no longer be the Queensland Wattle Day League, but we continue to share an affinity with the Wattle. With its ability to withstand bushfires and drought, the Golden Wattle represents resilience. Just like the Wattle, Open Minds resilience has been proven in overcoming major challenges during the last 110 years such as weathering two world wars, two pandemics, and the Great Depression. With this in mind, I must pay tribute to the countless dedicated and passionate individuals who have ensured our organisation continues to support people in need.  

I thank our supporters who have contributed to Open Minds and its many forms over the years, and in particular, our valued staff who support our clients with dedication and care every day. Most importantly, I thank our clients. We are so grateful they have chosen us to support them and accompany them on their individual journeys to living their best life. 

We are now in an exciting period of growth and opportunity following our partnership with Multicap  last year. We are excited about the new possibilities and opportunities our future brings and we are looking forward to continuing our story together.  

Kate Johnson 
Open Minds Chief Operating Officer 

You can read more about the history of Open Minds on our blog.  

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