Last Wednesday, our community came together across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria for the very first All AbiliTea Morning Tea, a new tradition inspired by 75 years of people, purpose and progress.

Held on International Day of People with Disability, the event brought hundreds of people together across more than 40 participating sites, including Learning and Lifestyle hubs, Business Solutions locations, and inclusive employment partners.

Honouring Our Beginnings

AbiliTea was inspired by our earliest days in the 1950s, when families gathered around kitchen tables to support one another and imagine a better future for their loved ones with intellectual disability.

This year’s morning tea echoed that history, with shared plates and moments of connection shaping the day.

More than 100kg of Kingaroy Kitchen cookies were shared nationwide as celebrations unfolded across the country, with 22 Members of Parliament joining in at various events, which ranged from intimate gatherings to large festivities of up to 150 guests.

At Kingaroy Kitchen, our CEO Andrew Chesterman and Chief Corporate Relations Officer Kirrily Boulton attended alongside supported employees, staff and guests, joined by the Hon. Deb Frecklington and the Hon. Amanda Camm.

Across Australia, the work, home and community divisions came together, while our Alexandra Hills and Kingston sites visited our support centre in Cannon Hill.

Inclusive employment business partners, including Kennedy’s Timber, Estia Health and Cook Medical, also took part in the celebrations.

Even Endeavour Lotteries’ Buderim Prize Home joined in, helping make the occasion a truly collaborative and memorable nationwide event.

Why This Day Matters

Celebrating AbiliTea on International Day of People with Disability encouraged us to pause and reflect on the strength of our community, the achievements of people with disability, the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.

Chief People Officer Amanda O’Reilly said it was wonderful to bring together people from so many different parts of the business.

“Endeavour is a wonderful organisation doing wonderful things, and it was nice to stop and celebrate the history and the impact Endeavour has made to the lives of so many,” she said. 

“It was great to see everyone in the support centre today, including our visitors from Alex Hills L&L and Kingston L&L. How lovely is it for our employees in the Support Centre who may not get out to sites often, to spend time being reminded of why we are here, to celebrate and support people living with an intellectual disability,” she said.

Want To Join In The Celebrations?

AbiliTea is just the beginning.

As we move closer to our 75^th anniversary in 2026, we’re collating stories that celebrate the moments, people and places that have shaped our journey.

If you’ve got a story to tell, we’d love for you to share it with us, by emailing stories@endeavour.com.au

Thank You

And finally, a massive thank you to everyone who attended, hosted, volunteered, baked, organised, shared and supported this first AbiliTea Morning Tea.

Your contribution made the day a meaningful and memorable celebration of inclusion.