October/November News Leather

Welcome to the October/November 2026 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 to you all.

We have had a wonderful few weeks since the last time we spoke. Our home-schooling classes are now back on track for term 4, with the student’s final projects being designed and created over the coming lessons. We are also halfway through our Leatherwork program with Lockyer Valley High School, that is running twice a week. We are also pleased to announce that our 3-day halter class with Toowoomba Grammar School, was a huge success, with all the students producing fine horse tac whilst having fun and learning a new skill. They have even asked us back for a belt class later in the year.

It really has been very much a ‘business-as-usual’ past couple of weeks, which is a good sign that we are getting into our formal routines particularly around formal classes. It is really great to see the team working so well.

Our big event for us this time around, was our Defence Family Day. The R.I.T.C.H. Foundation, along with Senator Malcolm Roberts Office, donated the funds which allowed us to host the day. Thank you both so much for your ongoing support. The day was a huge success and the over 80 people who attended all enjoyed themselves. Thank you to my staff for all the work done behind the scenes to ensure the ADF Day went to plan.

Be Safe and see you again next time.

– Sam Kavanagh, CEO Bootstraps

EVENTS

LEATHERWORK CLASSES:

We continue to host many leather working classes. We have recently hosted a Halloween Key Chain class and a Leather Vambraces class in collaboration with Chaos Leatherworks. We have also run our Halter class and a Belt class at the Toowoomba Grammer School and a basic leather skills 9 week program for the Lockyer Valley High School.

Our next classes that are scheduled are:

NO-SEW LEATHER HANDBAG WORKSHOP – Saturday 14 November 2026

🌟No Sew Leather Handbag Workshop 🌟

Get ready for an exciting adventure at our upcoming No Sew Leather Handbag Workshop!

Join us for a hands-on workshop where our expert instructor will guide you through the entire process during this 6hr class.

You’ll learn the art of crafting your very own leather no sew handbag. This is a great project for someone wanting to test the waters of leathercraft. So whether you’re a seasoned artisan or a complete beginner, this is sure to be a fun class.

Feel free to come solo or bring along a friend, this class is perfect for bonding over a creative project. It’s also a fantastic activity for families looking to spend quality time together, creating something both practical and stylish. Get ready to unleash your creativity and walk away with a personalized leather no sew handbag that’s uniquely yours!

Spaces are limited, so be sure to get your tickets to secure your spot!

This class includes all tutoring, tools and materials required to complete the project.

For safety, participants must wear closed in footwear.

No Sew Bag Class Tickets

HOMESCHOOLERS LEATHER CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY – Friday 11 December 2026

As we near the festive season, we are all starting to get our decorations ready.

Get the kids into the holiday spirit by crafting their own beautiful, handmade leather Christmas Tree decorations!🎅

Whether they like to craft or their just beginning their crafting journey, this event is for them. We’ll be creating unique, personalized Christmas Tree ornaments that will add a touch of handmade charm to your Christmas tree! 🎁🌟

They get to choose 3 shapes/designs to work on which they can tool and personalise. Costs cover all materials, including high-quality leather, tools, and festive stamps, dye and paints.

The children will leave with their very own creations, ready to hang on your tree or gift to loved ones! 🎁✨

Let’s make this holiday season extra special with some handmade, leather love! 💖👩‍🎨🦌 and all the while supporting our charity that supports our veterans and the community.

Home School Christmas Decorations Class

Want to learn to make something that is not in one of our up coming classes, please let us know.+

Lockyer District High School

All Lockyer District High School

Toowoomba Grammar School

All Toowoomba Grammar School

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!

SADDLE ACADEMY:

We are aiming to launch

The Saddle Academy

as soon as we can, but we do need assistance with funding.

The Saddle Academy is a specialised training initiative developed by Bootstraps, focused on preserving traditional saddle-making skills while creating real pathways into skilled trade work.

The program is designed to: Teach practical, transferable skills; Create pride in craftsmanship; Support sustainable, long-term outcomes.

The Saddle Academy will operate as a paid traineeship, with participants working toward a formal qualification, Certificate III in Leather Production (Saddlery). This ensures the skills gained are recognised, transferable well beyond the program itself, create real opportunities for learning, employment, & connection to meaningful work. This is education with a purpose.

To bring the Saddle Academy to life, our goal is to raise $1.5 million to establish & operate it as a long-term, sustainable training program.

Reaching this goal will enable: A fully fitted, dedicated workshop; Ongoing program delivery; Long-term investment in equipment & facilities; Broader access to training opportunities

With the support of investors, donors, & our wider community, we’re confident we can make this vision a reality & kick it off this year.

If you’d like to be part of building something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you or if you know someone who wants to invest in this concept, then please share this post.

Let’s preserve the craft. Let’s create opportunity. Let’s build the future of Australian saddlery.

To find out more: https://bootstraps.org.au/the-saddle-academy/

To Donate: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3567897 or https://gofund.me/2da0e26b9

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.

DONATIONS AND GRANTS:

Recently we were very fortunate to receive a small grant through the 2025–26 Volunteer Grants Program, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support!

Thank you to Scott Buchholz MP for recommending Bootstraps Veterans Charity for this funding opportunity, and to the Department of Social Services for approving our application.

This grant will help us upgrade our office computer equipment, ensuring our systems continue to run smoothly and reliably behind the scenes.

While computers and office equipment might not be the most exciting part of what we do, they are an important part of keeping our charity running, from administration and communications to organising our programs, classes and support for our veteran community and families.

Every bit of support helps us keep doing what we do, and we are incredibly thankful to everyone who backs Bootstraps.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Irene’s Craft Ladies

We recently had the pleasure of receiving a lovely donation from the wonderful ladies at Irene’s Craft Ladies, and we wanted to take a moment to say a very sincere THANK YOU!

It’s donations from small groups like yours that mean so much to us. We know that behind every donation is time, effort and hard work to make it happen, and knowing that you have chosen to put that effort towards supporting Bootstraps and our veteran community makes it even more special.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue providing a safe, welcoming space and creative opportunities for our veterans, their families and the wider community.

So, on behalf of everyone at Bootstraps Veterans Charity and the veteran community we support, thank you, Irene’s Craft Ladies!

We truly appreciate your kindness, generosity and support.

Thank you for helping us keep the wheels turning!

EXCITING NEWS FOR BOOTSTRAPS!

We are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful to share some wonderful news!

The Lockyer Valley Regional Council and the Queensland Transport Museum have given Bootstraps the amazing opportunity to be their charity recipient, with $2 from every entry ticket purchased to the Queensland Transport Museum going directly to Bootstraps from now until June 2028!

This is such a generous initiative, and we cannot express just how much this opportunity means to us. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who nominated Bootstraps and to both LVRC and the Queensland Transport Museum for making this possible.

Every dollar raised will help us continue the important work we do through creative therapy, providing a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for people experiencing PTSD and mental health challenges.

Our work reaches not only veterans, but their families and the wider community too. Every opportunity like this helps keep our doors open, our hands busy and our community connected.

So, next time you visit the Queensland Transport Museum, remember that your entry ticket is doing a little extra good!

Visit the museum, enjoy the history and help support a great cause!

From all of us at Bootstraps, a heartfelt THANK YOU!

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, Thursday and Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm.

“Feel free to drop by to say hello and introduce yourself!”

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: http://bootstraps.org.au/donations

Remembrance Day

11 November marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I.

Every year since 1919, many nations have paused on Remembrance Day (11 November) in memory of their fallen service people.

It’s a day for people to acknowledge the service personnel who have died while serving, including in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people in Australia and many other countries pause for a minute of silent reflection in memory of those who died while in military service.

Whether you observe a minute’s silence at 11am, wear a poppy or attend a service, help keep the legacy of our service people alive on Remembrance Day.

Add a reminder to your calendar to Remember to Remember at 11am.

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

It’s that time of year when moustaches start appearing, beards get a little more attention, and men everywhere have an excuse to grow some questionable facial hair!

But behind the mo’s and the laughs is a message that really matters. Men’s health is important, and we all need to talk about it.

Movember shines a light on men’s mental health and suicide prevention, as well as prostate and testicular cancer. It’s a reminder that looking after ourselves means taking care of both our physical and mental wellbeing.

At Bootstraps, we know that sometimes the hardest thing a person can do is admit they’re not okay.

Life can throw some pretty tough challenges our way, and sometimes blokes feel they need to tough it out, keep their feelings to themselves, or carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

But here’s the thing…

It’s okay to talk.

It’s okay to ask for help.

It’s okay to have a bad day.

And it’s absolutely okay not to be okay.

Being strong doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is reach out, have a chat, and let someone know what’s going on.

So this Movember, let’s check in on our mates, start the conversations, listen without judgement, and remind the men in our lives that they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.

And remember, you don’t need a moustache to make a difference!

From all of us at Bootstraps, let’s make this Movember a month of connection, conversation, and looking out for one another.

https://movember.com/

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!

Bootstraps likes to recognise the local businesses that have or are supporting us on our journey. #500club

This Month we would like to highlight Coast to Country Chiropractic.

Dr Matt & Dr Shari and the team at Coast to Country Chiropractic have been long time supporters of Bootstraps and we thank you from the bottom of our heart. And best of all, they are a veteran owned business as well.

️

Coast to Country Chiropractic are dedicated to providing individual wellness solutions to both people and animals. Their services include chiropractic care tailored to address various musculoskeletal issues as well as specialised treatments such as dry needling, saline needling, kinesio taping, massage chairs, microcurrent and customer care therapy, Normatec compression therapy, nutritional supplements and their new cryotherapy services.

Give the team at Coast to Country Chiropractic a call today to find out about how they can help you feel so much better. https://c2c.com.au/

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.

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!

WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY AT OUR DEFENCE FAMILY FUN DAY!

What a wonderful Saturday it was at Bootstraps!

We were thrilled to welcome over 80+ current and former defence members and their families to our Defence Family Fun Day. It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces, families enjoying themselves, and our veteran community coming together!

We were also lucky enough to have one of our customers (also a veteran) give up part of his Saturday to show off his beautiful 1983 Ford Mustang GT!

What a head-turner, and a fantastic addition to the day!

A huge thank you to Pentana Solutions and their charity @R.I.T.C.HFoundation https://www.pentanasolutions.com/our…/r-i-t-c-h-foundation and Senator Malcolm Roberts https://www.facebook.com/malcolmrobertsonenation for their generous donations that helped make this event possible. Your support means so much, not only to Bootstraps and the work we do, but to the veterans, serving members and families we are here to support.

We also thank Senator Roberts for taking time out of his busy schedule to come along and see the day in action. It was great to have you there!

As well we need to thank these local businesses that donated lucky gate prizes Porters Plainland Hotel, Coast to Country Chiropractic and Locker Valley Council & The Queensland Transport Museum. Thank you for your support

Most importantly, we hope everyone who joined us had a fantastic day, made some great memories and learned a little more about what Bootstraps is all about.

Whether you’re a veteran, currently serving, a family member or simply someone who loves getting creative, our doors are open to you! Pop in for a cuppa and a chat, join one of our leathercraft classes, or just spend some time with your family creating something together.

We’d absolutely love to see some of those smiling faces back at the centre soon!

Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the day such a success. This is what community is all about!

And a very special shout out to our Team of Volunteers who showed up to help out on the day. You guys are invaluable to us and we thank you for your support.

PROJECTS:

To say that it has been busy in the centre over the past couple months is an understatement. We have been super busy with everyone working their own projects both big and small.

Robin has been hard at work creating what can only be described as an absolutely out-of-this-world tool bag. While some of the ideas and problem-solving behind his design have been enough to make our heads spin, his creativity and innovation continue to impress us all. The project is nearly complete, and we honestly can’t wait to see the finished masterpiece. If the work we’ve seen so far is anything to go by, it’s going to be something truly special!

Jeff has had a busy month working on a variety of projects. He created a personalised name piece from a repurposed sign, showing off both his craftsmanship and commitment to giving old materials a new lease on life. He has also been busy making halters and, alongside Callum, helping restore our recently acquired Pearson Pedal sewing machine. Jeff has once again demonstrated his versatility and willingness to tackle any project that comes his way.

Callum has been sharing his skills across several exciting projects this month. He helped a customer complete a Santa belt that will eventually make its way all the way to Japan, and he has continued to support others with their leatherwork projects throughout the centre. Alongside Jeff, he has been helping restore our vintage Pearson Pedal sewing machine, and with assistance from his partner Ali, has been working on an incredible armour piece that showcases his exceptional craftsmanship. Projects like these remind us just how fortunate we are to have someone with Callum’s talent and knowledge supporting our centre and classes.

Lani has been keeping busy with some wonderful personal projects. She has been working on a tote bag for herself while also completing a beautiful book cover for her grandson. The finished book cover looks fantastic and is sure to become a treasured keepsake for years to come. Lani’s projects consistently reflect both creativity and care, and it has been wonderful watching them come together.

Andrew has enjoyed a particularly creative month, completing a customer order for a classic blue leather belt that combined simplicity, practicality and quality craftsmanship. He also created two fantastic personalised gifts for his children: an adorable pink axolotl pencil case for his daughter and an equally impressive dinosaur pencil case for his son. These thoughtful projects showcase not only Andrew’s growing skills but also the way leathercraft can be used to create meaningful, useful gifts for loved ones. Well done, Andrew!

Sam spent some time adding a special personal touch to a customer’s wallet by engraving a name onto it using our laser engraver. The finished result transformed an everyday item into a thoughtful and unique gift. It’s these kinds of personalised projects that demonstrate the value of attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Jenny has been developing her customer service and leatherwork knowledge by learning how to take customer orders and assess repair requests. This month she worked on learning the process for a custom drink holder designed to attach to a saddle, as well as a small repair job. Alongside this, she has been helping around the centre wherever needed, contributing to the many tasks that help keep things running smoothly.

Ali has been a fantastic support around the centre this month, lending a hand wherever it was needed. Alongside Jenny, she has been helping with various tasks and projects throughout the workshop. Ali also assisted Callum with his impressive armour project, contributing to another eye-catching creation while continuing to support the positive and collaborative environment that makes Bootstraps such a special place.

It was wonderful to welcome Jordan back to the workshop this month. A veteran, long-time friend and supporter of Bootstraps, Jordan spent some time creating a fantastic notebook cover. Although it had been a while since he last worked with leather, he quickly got back into the swing of things and produced a piece he should be very proud of. It was great to see him back at the workbench, enjoying some creativity and reconnecting with the Bootstraps community.

All

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!

CERTIFICATE II IN LEATHER PRODUCTION

Bootstraps, in conjunction with Learnivation Pty Ltd (RTO 45570), is proud to now offer an entry-level qualification in Leather Production – MST20319 Certificate II in Leather Production.

Discover the different types of leather and learn how to design and craft your own leather products. Our qualified trainers will teach you practical skills to create items such as handbags, horse tack, belts, and other small leather projects through hands-on and creative learning.

This qualification is ideal for anyone wanting to gain skills and knowledge for work with different types of leather including hides, skin and leather processing or in the production of leather goods.

Course Details:

1 day per week for 12 months

In-class delivery

Theory + hands on practical work

Fully supervised

Open Entry – No previous experience required

If you’d like to know more about this exciting qualification, please email admin@bootstraps.org.au for more information.

Start your journey into leather production with us!

Training and assessment is delivered by Bootstraps on behalf of Learnivation Pty Ltd (RTO 45570).

The photos below showcase some of the work that our first two students have been doing since they started. As we are well under way with Term 4, you can see a marked improvement in their leather crafting skills.

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!

Go to our Linktree to submit an expression of interest for our classes, or a custom project.

Thank you again to our 500 Club members – click the logos to visit their websites