This month's banner is inspired by Brisbane's New Year fireworks.
Welcome to the January 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!
The CEO is away, but he does hope you so enjoy this month's newsletter.
We've had a fantastic year, and we have pushed out review videos on our socials, so be sure to check those out.
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year; we look forward to seeing you in our centre soon.
Dan
Bootstraps Social Media Manager
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.
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.
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:
On the back of our Sam Browne class, one of the attendees was so impressed with what we do, that they brought their boys in to learn some new skills and have some fun with leather.
Our instructors taught the boys the basics skills required to produce belts and keyrings; they put their own design flair into the pieces, tooling, stamping and staining to creating a personal touch.
Well done boys, we look forward to having you in our centre again soon.
STAFF CHRISTMAS LUNCH:
What a year we've had! 2023 wouldn't have been as successful as it was without the efforts put in by our volunteers; as such, it was only right that we rewarded them and their families with a Christmas lunch.
We were hosted by The Lockyer Hotel in Forest Hill; they provided an absolutely fantastic service and delicious spread. If you're in the area, we definitely recommend you stop in.
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 Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
"Feel free to drop by to say hello and introduce yourself!"
***** CHRISTMAS CLOSEDOWN *****
Please be aware that the centre is closed so our staff and volunteers can have a well-earned break.
Re-opening
Wed 17th Jan 2024 0900-1600 hrs
Business calls and emails will still be taken from Mon 8th Jan
STAFF:
Sam is the CEO, responsible for steering the ship; it is mostly his guidance that has got Bootstraps to where it is today.
Sam has over 30 years of leatherwork under his belt, learning the skills from his Vietnam Veteran father as a teenager.
Sam continued with the leatherwork during his 20-year career in the ADF, serving as a Combat Engineer and an Intelligence Analyst.
As most Veterans do, it was during the period of figuring out what his 'second career' would be that Bootstraps was born, humbly beginning in his shed.
In the 5 years since, Bootstraps has gone from strength to strength; Sam tirelessly splits his time between the office, working towards his vision for Bootstraps, and on the shopfloor taking care of business and upskilling the staff.
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 few months, and now the last year, 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!
The team at OHS CS came to our centre and helped us with our WHS policy and procedures, along with all our required documentation. It really was a weight off the shoulders of the executive team to be able to hand this work over to the professionals.
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 you 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:
Here's the pick of the bunch from the custom projects that the team have been working on this month.
First up is a simple lighter case, made as a Christmas stocking filler; this was made using one piece of veg tan leather, stamped with the recipient's initial, folded over and stitched along one side.
The other piece was designed specifically for a custom knife; the customer wanted a custom sheath to go with it. This was made from 3 pieces of veg tan, wet moulded to perfectly fit the knife, stained and stamped with initials. It features a loop at the rear so that it can be worn on a belt.
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