Wendybird started as an idea that was never likely to come to fruition, but in our journeys we found others who shared our vision, dreamed with us, inspired us and energised us to turn this idea into a reality.

As a collective, we dreamed big and had a vision of creating a welcoming, all-inclusive, diversity embracing LGBTIQAP+ community centre with a café and bar... but we started small with community events for all LGBTIQAP+ people, our friends, families and children, who were seeking a place of connection and belonging. We sent out an invitation to you all to think differently about community – to do community differently.

The fact that people actually turned up to our first event in September 2014 was unexpected and mind-blowing. At every passing event we were met with growing numbers and new faces, our philosophy of ‘doing’ community was resonating and being embraced by you all. We saw genuine connections blossom and we witnessed a new kind of community forming around us. It was regenerative, exciting and oh so QUEER!

However, one of the key values of Wendybird is sustainability. We wanted Wendybird to be around for a long time and we invested in this value by ensuring we had a large team of volunteers who kept this community going, dedicating countless hours and unfathomable energy to the planning and delivering of Wendybird events. We also worked hard on countless funding applications and pitched partnering opportunities but were never successful in getting the big wins across the line, the kind that could pay people for their time, knowledge and skills.

Our commitment to Wendybird meant that personally we put many things in life on hold, our personal goals, our hobbies, our self-care, our health, our own social lives and friendships – in the doing of Wendybird our own needs came last. We’ve reached a stage in life where putting ourselves last is no longer sustainable and we need to reinvest our time, energy and care back into ourselves.

We know that this decision will be met by disappointment from many who have found a place of belonging at Wendybird, but we hope we will also be met with understanding.

We are from a community that knows the toll of under-resourcing and burnout all too well. Over the last few years both of our mental and physical health has been impacted by our commitment to Wendybird, and as hard as we tried to make it work, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and we can’t keep going without there being further detrimental impacts. We need to stop, rest and replenish if we are able to contribute meaningfully to our communities in decades to come.

There is great sadness with this decision, as we don’t want the dream, vision and values that have been the foundation of Wendybird to be lost. And it doesn’t have to be. While Wendybird may be ending, we invite you – our vibrant community – to continue carrying on the spirit of Wendybird. When you are feeling alone, remember that community isn’t somewhere we go, rather something we do. So find your people, reach across the divides, connect with each other, and continue to build the communities you dream of.

Thank you to all of those who have been on this journey with us over the last 7 years. We invite you to our final Wendybird event, a farewell to celebrate what we created through countless conversations and unquantifiable connections.

We hope to see you there (and yes, we do mean you!)



From Sally & Asha