A voice for the vulnerable and marginalised

STAUNCH advocate for equity, inclusion, and systemic change, Wendy Sturgess is the type of leader who believes you can never stop learning.

Ms Sturgess is the first woman CEO to lead child and family service organisation Cafs in its 160-year history history, and has been named among 2026’s Great Women of Ballarat honourees.

“I was surprised and pleased for Cafs,” she said when asked how she felt about her inclusion on the list of six for 2026.

“To be acknowledged is such a delight. For me it’s all about shining a light on the work Cafs does, and the work we need to do to address community disadvantage in all its forms.

“Cafs is an independent organisation, we work across the Central Highlands and we make decisions here.

“We worked with over 6000 people last year and our teams are skilled, dedicated and committed to their work.

“Cafs seeks more funding to innovate and that’s what this award provides us the opportunity to do.”

With a reputation for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to creating inclusive, trauma-informed systems, Ms Sturgess is invested in the future of Ballarat and works hard to ensure that local voices, especially those of vulnerable and marginalised groups, are heard and valued.

“I worked in senior leadership roles in the corporate sector, before I stepped out to the community services sector,” she said about her life pathway.

“As a kid growing up, my parents believed in education. They were from humble backgrounds and they instilled in us the need to give back to community; if you have – you should give.”

In her student days at Monash University, Ms Sturgess studied economics and politics and then went back to night school and completed marketing studies focussed on services.

“The corporate world taught me a lot about meeting client needs and the importance of developing relationships as being critical to success,” she said.

“In simple terms leaving the corporate world for the community sector was because I wanted to have a more meaningful work and personal life.”

Before leading Cafs, Ms Sturgess held a number of other community sector CEO roles.

She worked in regional and rural locations as well as metro areas, leading in fields including mental health, autism, and telephone counselling, and web-based and face-to-face services.

“I am proud to have been part of setting up MensLine Australia and the Beyond Blue information and advice line, as well as the Victorian Suicide Line and call back services,” she said.

Despite her considerable experience in leadership, and professional studies in governance and trauma responsive practice, when it comes to leadership, Ms Sturgess still rates herself as “a life-long learner”.

“The opportunity to lead an organisation is such a complex, engaging and challenging opportunity,” she said.

“For me, it’s about being able to lead change and connect with community at the local level.

“Cafs is truly placed-based and this really appeals to me. I love seeing our team members grow and develop because that is critical to our success.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, visit beyondblue.org.au or call their 24/7 hotline on 1300 22 4636. You can also visit lifeline.org.au or call them on 13 11 14 and help for young people is available at kidshelpline.com.au or by calling them on 1800 55 1800.