October 2023 Newsletter
This month's banner is inspired by Rock for Vets - Sat 21st October
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WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 2023 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!
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FROM THE CEO:
Welcome one and all!
Hello all and welcome back to another issue of our News Leather. September has been another great month for BOOTSTRAPS. Our team has been working with the Torrens University Community engagement program where we have been developing a business prospectus and business model. This continues to be a very rewarding and informative initiative for us and has already yielded some fantastic products. I would like to personally thank Peter and his team for all the tireless work they have put in for us.
Our home-schooling program finished this month and by all accounts was a huge success. We are looking to run similar structured classes in the New Year and we are looking for feedback as to what particular classes people/organisations might like to attend. For example, we are looking to run a handbag making class, a whip making class, and a duffle bag class. If we get enough interest in a particular offer, we will order all the items and hardware, and source an external instructor should we need. So, if your organisation is interested in a group-based activity, please let us know – click the Linktree banner within this newsletter to send us and EOI.
We have a rock concert (Rock 4 Vets) coming up on the 21st of October at Porters Plainland Hotel. A group of musicians contacted us and offered to play a concert for us as a way to assist us raise funds. They are going to donate their time for a 4-hour concert and the tickets are only $40, available from our website. So please some along for a great night out if you can.
Christmas is coming up, so if you would like to make something for that someone special, come on in and talk to us about a one-of-a-kind piece.
Lastly, I would like to remind everyone about our 500 Club. For $500 per year, we offer businesses over $7000 worth of advertising. If you would like more information, please contact us.
Stay safe everyone, and I look forward to seeing you all next month with more exciting news.
- Sam Kavanagh, CEO Bootstraps
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EVENTS
LEATHERWORK CLASS:
We ran a leatherwork class that concentrated on belts, collars and bridals.
A great day where the participants came with their own ideas of what they wanted to create, we just provided the skills and knowledge.
HOMESCHOOL CLASS:
We delivered the final of our 5 classes to the Homeschool group.
The children had been honing their skills, focusing on bringing together their ideas for their project pieces. Their last class saw them think big and most started sizable projects that they can continue with at home, and of course come back to Bootstraps for help and advice. We are really proud of the items they produced over the 5 sessions and look forward to seeing them again as they progress with their long-term projects.
ROCK FOR VETS:
Hopefully you have seen our promotion on social media, or heard our adverts on River 94.9 FM already!
We are very excited and looking forward to this fund-raiser; it has all the ingredients to be an absolute stonking night of rock n roll. We were approached by Keven Kelly of Kelly's Heroes who wanted to hold a night of rock, all in aid of Bootstraps; to say we were overwhelmed was an understatement.
Keven is bringing together several acts, including his own band, to provide 4 hours of Rock n Roll, Rhythm and Blues and amazing covers of all your favourite hits. It all goes down on Saturday 21st of October at Porters Plainland.
A limited number of tickets are available to buy now via our website, or just follow the link below. Grab your tickets now to avoid disappointment; we cannot guarantee there will be any tickets left to buy on the door.
BOOTSTRAPS Rocks for Vet's Tickets, Sat, Oct 21, 2023 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite
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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.
The staff had the pleasure of being invited along to the Business Network International (BNI) Alliance Brisbane West chapter's breakfast networking meeting.
It was great to meet many like-minded business leaders; we discovered the value that they add to each other not only within their chapter, but across other chapters too. We look forward to meeting with BNI Alliance Brisbane West members again soon.
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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!"
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STAFF:
Continuing the theme, we'll pick on PK this month!
Paul, or PK as we call him, is our Secretary and has been with Bootstraps longer than the furniture. Although he does dabble, leatherwork is not his forte; where PK is indispensable though is with reaching out to organisations, spreading the good word, and presenting applications to obtain the all-important funding grants that we rely on for capital expenditure.
Previous to Bootstraps, PK served for 20 years in the Australian Army as an Engineer and Intelligence Officer; he has also gained a plethora of experience across many industries as a Veteran.
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
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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!
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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!
This month we acknowledge Russell Island Pharmacy. Don at Russell Island Pharmacy, being community minded as he is, was one of the first members of the 500 Club.
For nearly 20 years Don has been serving the Russell Island community, a community that he thinks of as family. We thank Don for supporting us from the early days.
Pop in and say hello if you're ever in the area!
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.
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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!
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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 very sentimental piece; Sam designed and manufactured a custom case for a 150 year old note book; there are many treasures inside the book for the owner, we're pleased that we could create something that is fitting.
Second is the beginnings of a bag project; this looks like it's going to be fantastic when finished. We hope to show you updates next time around.
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!
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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