Q&A with Queensland Community Alliance parish rep and Anglican Aid Abroad secretary, Marilyn Wright
Spotlight Q&A
Meet Marilyn Wright and find out what she learnt during her recent trip to Africa, what she is doing in the lead up to the federal election with the Queensland Community Alliance, what person of faith inspires her the most, what she would write on a billboard and about her unique faith journey
Where do you currently live and worship?
I live in Mt Gravatt and worship at St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church on Logan Rd.
How long have you been involved in the Anglican Church and in what roles?
I first attended Sunday school about 65 years ago. As a teenager, I taught Sunday school and attended Young Anglican Fellowship. Whilst involved in Kairos Outside (a prison ministry) as a member of The Parish of Logan, I was praying for guidance when I met Fr Neville Nixon from Brisbane-based Anglican Aid Abroad (AAA). He asked me to visit the Sisters of St Mary in Tanzania. I became the AAA secretary in 2014. When my current parish needed a representative on the Queensland Community Alliance (QCA), I was stirred to involvement because of their advocacy in the climate and refugee spaces where I had long volunteered.
Marilyn Wright outside Christ Church, Murgon, after her confirmation in the 1960s
What do your current roles involve?
In addition to the usual jobs of any secretary, I communicate with AAA’s African and Pacific partners — hearing their needs, advocating for and organising assistance where possible. I am also responsible for writing and sending out the quarterly newsletter.
Children getting lunch at the orphanage in Paarl, when Marilyn Wright from Anglican Aid Abroad visited in 2024
As parish representative with the Queensland Community Alliance, it is my responsibility to offer a Christian perspective when decisions are being made, inform the parish of decisions and garner support for actions and events being undertaken. Working with a diverse group of people adds depth to decisions and more power to representations for social justice. This work contributes directly to the Marks of Mission to “transform unjust structures of society” and “strive to safeguard the integrity of creation”.
What has been a highlight or best memory of your current role?
In mid-2024, I visited eight African countries in two months, meeting Christians with whom I’d corresponded for years, and seeing some of the projects that AAA is funding. The memory of the joyful welcomes, kindness, care and amazing conversations will always remain. So, too, will the vision of hospital care provided by Anglicans many kilometres from a major centre; the smiles of orphan students who are loved, cared for and educated with the help of Australian donors; and, the beaming thanks of men and women provided with the means of earning a living, growing more food or accessing water because of the generosity of Anglicans.
Witnessing the effects of climate change on the people in the countries I visited has affected me deeply. As one man said, “We did not cause this. You need to help us adapt.” In Rwanda, a faith leader said, “When we were young, we needed two blankets. Now we need none. We have not had rain for two months and in the mountains, this is unheard of. If we do not get rain by September, all these cabbages will die.” They did not get rain till near the end of September. I lacked the courage to ask how many cabbages died.
The best recent memory of my work with the Queensland Community Alliance was attending the September 2024 Maroonprint Election Assembly at St John’s Cathedral with fellow parishioners and people from other communities connected to the alliance. It was exhilarating and inspiring to join with a thousand other people to advocate for climate and social justice. I also had the privilege of advocating for urgent action on climate at our local Mt Gravatt assembly.
Marilyn Wright (second from left) represents The Parish of Mt Gravatt on the Queensland Community Alliance (she is pictured at a QCA meeting in Holland Park on 13 March 2025)
What projects or activities are you currently working on?
Anglican Aid Abroad funds relatively small projects suggested to us by the people on the ground in the many countries. Recently, we have funded two bores in Ghana — one for a girls’ school of 3,000 students in Asante Mampong and one for a village school in Didaso. In Kenya, we have provided funds for goats and chickens so that locals can eat more protein and possibly gain an income. A water tank on a small farm plot will enable a pastor to live there permanently to supervise farming. This provides increased food and work for local villagers, and an income for the pastor and church so that he can minister in the surrounding area. In Uganda, we have funded small business enterprises for women who are refugees from the fighting in South Sudan. Partial funding for a monastery roof and fees for a brother to study medicine will go to the companions of the Order of St Benedict in Cameroon. In South Africa, there is continuing support for two orphanages and for a feeding programme in a village outside of Durban.
After hearing about the effects of climate change in Africa, the Queensland Community Alliance’s participation in the “Renew Australia for All” initiative is very apt. The campaign’s aim is to reduce the cost of living by making affordable clean energy available to renters and low-income households. As this will also reduce our reliance on polluting fossil fuels, it has my heartfelt support. As part of the local campaign, I will be volunteering at a multi-cultural soccer tournament in Logan, a barbeque at Mt Gravatt and door knocking. It is critical to support the science that urges us to transition to clean energy as soon as possible.
Why is it important for Anglicans to work with people of other faiths, unions and community organisations in networks like the Queensland Community Alliance?
The Alliance gives a voice to those whose voices often go unheard in the halls of power. Working with other faith groups, unions and community organisations amplifies our voice when we speak up for the gospel values of love, justice for people who are marginalised, hope for immigrants and care for the environment.
Can you tell us about your Christian faith journey?
At Sunday school, I remember particularly the idea that Jesus loves me and loves all children. This has influenced my work in the social justice and environmental areas. A priest in Mackay encouraged me to pray, question and attend Bible study. I made my Cursillo at North Queensland # 1 in Townsville and had never felt so loved and accepted for who I really was — a divorced single mother with faith questions. When I moved to Brisbane, it was the Cursillo friends who supported me. A particular prayer during the study of EfM (the Education for Ministry programme) in Logan, set me on the path of involvement in Anglican Aid Abroad and Africa. It was during these years that I realised that God was directly smoothing the path and influencing my decisions — to the point of sending me to teach in Dodoma in Tanzania. A trip to Palestine in early 2020 provided spiritual experiences that seemed to affirm my work for the environment and for those pushed to the margins.
How does your faith inspire you and shape your outlook, life choices and character?
My belief that God created this world and saw that it was good probably originated from Sunday school, as did my understanding that people of all cultures and “races” are equal in God’s sight and loved by him. God continues to provide physical and mental refreshment in nature. God challenged me to volunteer with refugees, and my time teaching in Tanzania was a real help in the preparation for my African trip last year. Knowing his love is constant and that he will strengthen me as needed (Isaiah 40.31) keep me going, and I am always encouraged by Micah 6.8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
“I am always encouraged by Micah 6.8,” says Marilyn Wright
What is your favourite Bible scripture and why?
Luke 8.43-48: The story of the woman with the bleed who was excluded because of her disease. As a divorced single mother there were times when I felt excluded. I’ve seen society and Church members exclude people who are “different” in culture, behaviour, ideas or status. As someone who speaks for creation care, and those pushed to the margins, I have experienced subtle avoidance and adverse comments. This was especially noticeable when I publicly supported the “Yes vote” in the referendum. Jesus’ concern for this woman always encourages me because it expresses his concern for everyone, perhaps especially those whom many in “mainstream” society shun.
What are the primary strengths of the Church and what is best way to make the most of those for the benefit of our communities?
The good news of Christ’s love for us and his ministry to those on the “outside” is the wonderful message Christians have that will benefit the whole community. If we, as the Church, the body of Christ, were to act out this message in our daily lives, what a different world it would be.
Marilyn Wright making her debut in Gympie at the annual Anglican ball in the 1960s
What person of faith inspires you and why?
When younger, I was inspired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu because he worked for justice and truth-telling in South Africa. More recently, I admire Aunty Dr Rose Elu for her untiring work bringing the world’s attention to the plight of Torres Strait people because of rising seas.
Why is it important for Christians to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards Reconciliation?
Sadly, through our history, the Church has done a lot of harm, particularly though so-called missions. We have a role now to be informed about the real history of colonisation and the harmful effects that continue as a result, and to act.
Maragret Wright actively supported the Yes vote in 2023’s referendum
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?
When I was in high school, my father told me to always remember that I deserved the same respect as anyone else, regardless of wealth or social status. This advice helps me stand up for what is right and to believe that my opinion has value.
What do you do in your free time to recharge and relax?
I enjoy being in nature, even if it is only the small garden outside my unit during the morning quiet time to charge my batteries for the day. For instant relaxation, I read or do a jigsaw puzzle.
What is your best childhood memory?
A happy memory from early teen years was fishing on the Maroochydore River with my father and rowing a boat with my sisters.
Marilyn Wright (right) with her sister, Pamela, at their family home in Cinnabar (South Burnett) in the 1950s
What billboard text would you like to see?
“Bad things happen when good people stay silent.” My resolution for this year is not to remain silent in the face of comments that denigrate “others” or do not heed the plight of those already affected by climate change because silence is taken as agreement.
What is the kindest gesture you’ve received?
There have been so many over the years. What I remember now is the incredible kindness of everyone in Africa — from airport and hotel workers and Christians who attended to my every need when I enjoyed their amazing hospitality.
When Marilyn Wright visited a community in the Rwandan mountains in 2024, she was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the women
Where do you do your best thinking?
In nature or during quiet time after Bible reading.
Justice Unit note: If you would like to find out more about the Queensland Community Alliance or about the Renew Australia for All federal election campaign, please email admin@qldcommunityalliance.org. If you would like to find out more about Brisbane-based Anglican Aid Abroad, please email contact@anglicanaidabroad.com.au.
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