This month's banner is inspired by Valentine's Day - 14th February.
Welcome to the February 2024 edition of the Bootstraps newsletter.
Here we discuss everything going on, upcoming events, welcoming new members and celebrating our love and passion for everything leather!
Welcome one and all!
Hello and welcome back everyone. I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable Christmas break.
The focus for 2024 is the Bootstraps Inaugural black tie Gala Ball being held in April.
The event details are as follows:
Date: 13th April 2024
Venue: Ipswich Civic Centre
Theme: Every Boot Tells a Story Keynote Speaker: Mr. Rupert McCall
Music: 1 REGT Rock Band
Tickets: $130 ( HERE )
If you are an organisation who would be interested in one of our sponsorship packages, please let us know ASAP.
If your organisation would like to purchase a table of 10 seats the cost is $1200, saving $100.
If you would like to purchase individual tickets, you can choose your seats and table to ensure you are seated together - purchase your tickets ASAP to ensure you get a good seat.
I hope to see you all on the night and help us celebrate what is sure to be a wonderful event.
Once again, I would like to thank all my staff and those who make Bootstraps what we are today. Stay safe everyone and I look forward to seeing you all again here or in our centre.
- Sam Kavanagh, CEO Bootstraps
GALA BALL 2024
Tickets on sale now via our website!
Plenty of work is continuing behind the scenes for the event on Saturday 13th April (save the date!), we have already secured sponsors, guest speakers, the band, and much more.
While we have been fortunate and very grateful to secure sponsors, we do still need more sponsors, so please help us by getting the word out to people within your network that could benefit from the exposure this fantastic event will bring. The sponsorship document we have produced explains more about the event (available upon request).
More raffle and auction prizes are also very welcome, so if you know of local businesses willing to donate and looking to promote their services and products - please put us in touch!
For those wanting the experience of dressing up, enjoying a meal & drinks package, topped off with raffles, auctions and dancing, then tickets are available now via our website!
EVENTS
KIDS CLASS:
The boys that came in before Christmas were back again to finish off their projects; as they had more time, the session was less structured, and the boys had fun experimenting with all the tools.
From that we received a glowing review, which we have added to our social media - so go check it out.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We continue to show what we get up to on social media; if you haven't already, comment on our posts. We'd love to hear about the type of content that you want to see - so let us know!
Stay up to date with the latest at Bootstraps; be sure to like and follow us on socials.
Linktree is a one-stop-shop that signposts to all our socials, 500 Club members, and other important agencies. Click the banner or snap the QR code to try it today!
NETWORKING
We are always looking to expand our network within the Lockyer, and the wider Veteran and Leatherwork communities.
If you know of anyone within your personal or professional networks that would like to help us, or could use our services, then please introduce us. Feel free to drop into the centre.
BOOTSTRAPS HQ:
Our centre of operations, located in Gatton, Queensland, is open to all current and ex-military personnel,
and the local community, to drop in.
The centre is open Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
"Feel free to drop by to say hello and introduce yourself!"
STAFF:
We have been fortunate enough to welcome a new member to the team.
Amamda is a serving member who is volunteering her time where she can on a more permanent basis.
We shall do a more detailed bio on the next newsletter.
We are always welcoming new faces to volunteer their time, experience and skills. Without the tireless support of our volunteers, keeping Bootstraps going would be impossible. Regardless of your background or skillsets, every one of us can help to play a part. It doesn't need to be huge, it could be only a few hours a week through to a few days a week - really every little bit helps.
If you're in a position to offer some voluntary assistance to our organisation, then please reach out to us today by contacting us by phone 0480 239 994, or email admin@bootstraps.org.au
Also if you are in a position to assist us through monetary donations of any value, please visit our website and follow the link to: https://www.bootstraps.org.au/donations
SUPPORT:
For some of us, we're not ready to talk, as it means saying things out aloud reminds us of the issue; it may, however, be more comfortable to text how we're feeling.
As the classic song by Cold Chisel says "When the war is over, it's time to start again!" But for some of us that war internally is ongoing.
Here at Bootstraps we have all been in that situation and know what it feels like. Please remember if you need to talk you can drop in to our centre and say G'Day to some like minded folk
But for those other times, when you feel this way, know that there is support available via text on 0477 13 11 14 through Lifeline Text. They also have a live message service on their website, and a phone line 13 11 14.
This is a service openly available 24/7, and ran by Lifeline.
You can text them anything that's on your mind - no matter how overwhelming, they are there to listen. Just know, that there is someone there when you're ready!
Please feel free to share with your friends, families and colleagues!
Remember there is always someone willing to listen!
500 CLUB:
We are always so proud to promote all of our 500 Club Members that proudly support us!
The last couple of years have been really difficult for many businesses and we want to take a moment to acknowledge the continued support of all of our 500 Club members. Despite their own struggles, our valued partners have stuck with us through their dedicated support. Please make sure that you support them however you can!
Every News Leather, we aim to showcase a new 500 Club member to thank them for their support, but also to let you know about the legends that support us!
This month we acknowledge Amentco.
Allison Thompson and the team at Amentco generously donated the alarm system that keeps our Gatton centre safe.
Amentco have a whole range of solutions for home and business large or small; from simple intercom systems, CCTV, alarm systems, lone worker solutions and real-time locating services, they do it all.
Check out their site to discover what they can do for you.
Bootstraps is really proud to have its many supporters onboard as 500 Club members.
But to keep the centre marching along we're always looking for more businesses to become 500 Club members! If you too would like find out what's in it for your business, learn a bit more and show your support for our work, click below to discover how you can become a 500 CLUB MEMBER!
We even have our own hashtag, #500club; search for it on social media to find out the amazing things our members are doing.
LEATHER LAUGHS:
They say that laughter is the best medicine... so here's your dose of giggles for this month's News Leather!
VETERANS VENUES:
Each month we like to feature a Veteran owned business or place where veterans, their families and friends can spend time and enjoy life.
If you have, or know of a business or place, why not let us know so we can feature them here!
PROJECTS:
Due to being a half-month, and concentrating on the upcoming Gala Ball, project work has taken a short-term back seat. We'll bring you more project pieces next time.
We always welcome new faces to the centre, as well as familiar ones. If you'd like to create a unique leather piece yourself, why not visit our centre today, or contact us about class times; better still, why not take home an exclusive piece of leatherwork from our many items for sale in our display!
We look forward to bringing you more in next month's News-Leather. But in the meantime, be sure to Like and Follow us on our socials to keep up to date with what's happening with Bootstraps!
We'd really love to hear what projects you'd like to do!
Go to our Linktree to submit an expression of interest for our classes, or a custom project.
Satchel, Handbag, Photo Album, Rifle Case, Tool Case,
Binoculars Case, or perhaps something more unique!
Remember to leave us your feedback or a comment on what you would like to make at our centre or have covered in future edition of our News-Leathers!
Thank you again to our 500 Club members - click the logos to visit their websites