This month's banner is inspired by Autumn.
Welcome to the March 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 again one and all.
February has been a quiet one for us at the centre, which has given all of us time to catch up on some much-needed work. Our leather bag product line is coming along very nicely along with some of the awesome items being created on our laser machine. I won’t give away too much more about all of that 😊.
We are coming down to the wire with regards to ticket sales for our Gala Ball next month. We have not yet reached the all-important financial milestone that is needed to ensure the event can continue, so if you know any company who is interested in coming on board as a sponsor, or you would like to purchase tickets, now is the time.
I know I do this every month, but I always feel there is way more needed to be said, than I can in one newsletter. The staff at BOOTSTRAPS continue to amaze me with what they do for this organisation, and BOOTSTRAPS would not be here today if it were not for them. Thank you all.
To everyone else, I hope to see you next month. Be safe, and thank you for your continued support.
- 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
LEATHERWORK CLASSES:
We have a packed schedule of upcoming classes, aiming to get as many people as possible involved in leatherwork. We have classes covering all of the basics, and some more technical small projects; classes will be run on differing days, hopefully there will be something for everyone.
Below are the classes we have for the next few weeks:
Wednesday 6 March - Keyring and Bookmark
Saturday 9 March - Wallet/Purse
Friday 15 March - Stubby cooler
Wednesday 20 March - Bracelet & Drinks coaster
Wednesday 3 April - Belt
Friday 12 April - Basic leather tooling
Friday 26 April - No sew pouch/purse
Friday 3 May - Leather hip flask cover
More information and booking of these classes can be found via our ticketing site:
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.
Amanda is the newest instructor to join the Bootstraps team. Her journey with us started in mid 2023 when she starting coming along as a participant while recovering from her own ADF service related injuries.
Amanda joined the RAAF in 2015 as a Joint Battlefield Airspace Controller (since re-named Air Traffic Control Officer) and her served in East Sale (VIC), Townsville (QLD), Richmond (NSW) and Oakey (QLD). Amanda also has a Bachelor of Psychological Science and is qualified in Mental Health First Aid.
Her focus in leatherwork has been on making practical items that support her other hobbies including cattle halters, leads, and dog collars. She has also discovered a love for tooling, both as an art and as a mindfulness activity which she says has greatly assisted with her recovery.
Amanda now aims to help other veterans through teaching the skills she has learnt and sharing her experiences.
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 Inland Rail.
Inland Rail have supported us financially over the years; we are ever so grateful for their help.
As well as their main business regarding all things rail and engineering, Inland Rail make donations to community projects, provide scholarships for individuals, and bring local businesses on board as suppliers.
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:
Below are some of the items we've been working on during February.
First up is a non-leather product; we have been expanding our capabilities using the LASER and producing name badges and desk plaques. Over the coming weeks we will be adding more designs to our repertoire.
In the centre is the side pockets to a bag that we are designing. Look out for updates on that as it progresses.
And lastly is a replacement item created for a customer; his penknife pouch was getting towards the end of it's life, so we were asked to recreate something similar.
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