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About Community Enterprise Queensland

About

Through our 30 stores, CEQ provides essentials to remote communities

CEQ is a not-for-profit Queensland Government statutory body responsible for providing goods and essential services to the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), and mainland Aboriginal remote communities through its 30 stores.

CEQ is governed by the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land & Others Matters) Act 1984, with the board being appointed through ministerial appointment. CEQ stores deliver fresh, healthy food choices to communities, as well as general grocery, household items, appliances, furniture, hardware, fuel, and services such as ATM facilities.

CEQ manages Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) remote stores, as well as other stores including Col Jones and Mitre 10 under its Community Home and Hardware (CHH) banner, and popular clothing, souvenir and accessories store Mona’s Bazaar on Thursday Island.

Stacking Watermelon
Using an electric pallet jack

We’re committed to healthy communities and local employment and training

CEQ aims to be an employer of choice in Queensland, with our diverse workforce of over 400 team members from a variety of professions including retail, procurement, logistics, administration, and trades. Of all the remote team members employed at CEQ, 90% identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

CEQ is committed to developing our teams through internal and external training programs.

CEQ supports our communities through nutrition benefits, by providing affordable, healthy food choices. CEQ is aware of the pressure of pricing in the remote communities we serve, availing our customers of affordable healthy food choices is our priority, whilst remaining sustainable.

CEQ is a part of the social & economic fabric of the communities we serve.

CEQ  has a strong history of partnering with community, government & non-government organisations through sponsorship & donations of local & regional events.

History

CEQ’s rich history began in the Torres Strait when Reverend Fredrick Walker established Papuan Industries Ltd in 1904. CEQ remains committed to providing essential goods and services, employment and opportunity for communities in the Torres Strait, NPA and remote areas of North Queensland.

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Governance

CEQ is a not-for-profit Queensland Government Statutory Body. Operating under the guidance of an experienced board, reporting to the Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts on an annual basis.

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Partners

With such a vital, diverse and logistically challenging operation, CEQ has aligned with several key partners that help us provide for communities. These partnerships help us to achieve our mission, and are a driving force behind our sustainable business model.

Our Stores

CEQ Corporate Video