Not-for-profit remote store operator Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) is celebrating significant milestones and achievements in the 2023-2024 financial year, reflecting on an unwavering commitment to its vision of ‘Caring, every day, always.’
The organisation, which operates 30 stores across the Torres Strait, Cape York Peninsula, and Palm Island, has made significant strides in fulfilling its vision through impactful community initiatives, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to nutrition and health in remote communities.
Cost of living initiatives
CEQ Board of Management Chairperson Joann Schmider said CEQ’s commitment to supporting remote communities is evident, with cost of living at the forefront of the organisation’s decision making throughout the year.
“At CEQ, we are deeply committed to ensuring that cost of living remains at the heart of our decisions,” said Ms Schmider.
“Our ‘Good Pasin’ pricing initiatives reflect this commitment, allowing us to offer competitive prices and significant savings to the communities we serve.”
Through its ‘Good Pasin’ (Give-back) pricing initiatives, weekly market price checks have become standard practice, ensuring CEQ’s pricing remains competitive. In a recent basket comparison of fruit and vegetable items, CEQ’s prices were, on average, $10 cheaper than those of a remote supermarket nearly 1,000km by road from Cairns. Additionally, CEQ’s fresh produce and meat flat pricing model ensures that customers in the Outer Torres Strait Islands pay the same as those on Waibene (Thursday Island).
CEQ’s Merchandise and Supply Team also works tirelessly to leverage price reductions and savings from suppliers, passing on over $821,000 worth of savings to customers in the 2023-2024 financial year.
CEQ has applied a 10% discount at the register for elderly customers in Bamaga as part of its Savvy Seniors trial, ensuring that even in times of financial strain, seniors have access to affordable essentials.
The Ergon Retail PowerSavvy White Goods Rebate is being administered through CEQ’s Col Jones store in the Torres Strait and NPA, with eligible residents and local businesses receiving a rebate to help with the cost of upgrading to 4-star or higher energy-rated appliances. Customers have already received more than $215,000 in savings.
The Queensland Government’s Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme – aimed at reducing freight-related cost of living pressures in the Torres Strait and NPA – has already resulted in discounts of more than $1.1 million for customers in CEQ’s IBIS and ABIS stores.
A landmark year for community reinvestment with ‘Good Pasin’
CEQ has redefined its community reinvestment strategy through its ‘Good Pasin’ (Give-back) program, which has become a cornerstone of its efforts to support the communities it serves.
Over the past 12 months, CEQ provided $642,000 in financial and in-kind assistance to not-for-profit organisations and individuals across various communities, with approximately 400 requests processed – an average of eight per week. This support extends to crucial cultural practices, such as providing assistance during Sorry Business, ensuring families can focus on grieving without the burden of financial stress.
Ms Schmider highlighted the significance of this initiative.
“The Good Pasin (Give-back) program reflects our commitment to giving back to our communities,” she said. “It’s not just about financial support; it’s about fostering connections, preserving culture, and contributing to the overall wellbeing of our communities. For instance, our pricing support initiative under Good Pasin has enabled us to maintain essential items like bottled water at just $1, a subsidy that amounted to $150,000 this year alone.”
CEQ’s support of economic development activities and community events has included business startups, expansions, junior and senior rugby league programs, AFL gala days, rodeos, festivals, and NAIDOC and Mabo Day celebrations, amongst others.
“The value of these events goes beyond financial support,” said Ms Schmider. “They are an opportunity for our team to engage directly with community members, share knowledge, and contribute to cultural preservation. Our continued involvement in these activities underscores our commitment to the communities we serve.”
Advancing nutrition and health
CEQ has made significant advancements in its nutrition and health initiatives during 2023-2024.
The organisation adopted a new Nutrition and Health Strategy, to be rolled out over four years, to enhance health outcomes across remote communities. To support this, CEQ appointed a Store Nutritionist and Nutrition Cadet, who have already made notable contributions through the Gather and Grow Healthy Stores project, a collaboration between CEQ and Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
In a strategic move to combat hunger in Far North Queensland, CEQ formed a partnership with Foodbank Queensland. The first initiative under this partnership is delivering healthy school breakfasts to 27 schools in remote communities, further reinforcing CEQ’s role as a vital support system.
The nutrition team also conducted 31 store visits across remote communities, delivered 63 health promotion and community activities, and represented CEQ as presenters at three national conferences.
CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes said: “Our commitment to nutrition and health is at the core of our operations. By focusing on these areas, we are making a tangible difference in the health and sustainability of the residents where we operate stores.”
Expanding CEQ’s footprint
The 2023-2024 financial year also saw the expansion of CEQ’s store network, welcoming three new stores to the CEQ family, including ABIS Wujal Wujal, IBIS Mapoon, and IBIS Kirriri, bringing the total number of stores in the CEQ network to 30. Additionally, CEQ officially opened a new IBIS Bamaga supermarket, the first-ever concept store in a remote First Nations community in Queensland.
“We are immensely proud of our store network expansion and partnerships,” said Mr Dykes. “These efforts are key to enhancing the shopping experience and addressing critical issues like food security in remote communities.”
Resilience in the face of challenges
Despite the challenges posed by natural disasters, such as the flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, CEQ ensured food supply to remote Cape York communities during the wet season’s road closures by using airplanes to transport essential freight, and further supporting the Foodbank Disaster Relief with storage space at its Gimuy (Cairns) distribution centre.
During the recent wet season, CEQ spent over $1.27 million on 144 air charters to its Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, and Doomadgee supermarkets, and delivered more than 174,000 kilograms of products to these communities. CEQ also provided other disaster relief, including a $20,000 donation to the Wujal Wujal community.
Other initiatives
CEQ also officially launched its ‘Tell Us’ customer feedback kiosks across its remote stores to great success, receiving more than 87,000 responses over the year.
“The 2023-2024 financial year has been one of the busiest and most rewarding periods for CEQ,” said Mr Dykes. “Our team’s dedication, the strength of our partnerships, and the unwavering support from our communities have all been instrumental in achieving these outcomes. As we look to the future, we remain committed to our vision of ‘Caring, every day, always.’
Main Image (Top) Features – CEQ Board Chairperson Joann Schmider, CEQ Board Members Fraser Nai and Claire Alexander, CEO Michael Dykes, GM of Business Development Randal Crabbe and Andrew Hepworth Store Refresh Project Manager at the new IBIS Bamaga Official Opening.
CEQ Snapshot of Community Impact – Reflecting on a year of Milestones
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CEQ is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for providing goods and essential services to the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), mainland Aboriginal remote communities, and Palm Island through its now 30 stores.
CEQ manages Islanders Board of Industry and Service (IBIS) and Aboriginal Business, Industry and Service (ABIS) stores, as well as other stores including Col Jones, Mona’s Bazaar and Mitre 10 on Thursday Island.
For more information on CEQ, visit www.ceqld.org.au
