We are located in Gatton in the Lockyer Valley, QLD. We offer leather work classes as a way to assist with the recovery of any mental or physical injuries sustained during service, and to relax, network and reconnect. We have found that creative therapy in the form of leather work, greatly helps to relieve the stress within the body and mind. Hours spent in the leather workshop result in not only a creative out-put but a calmer, physical and mental well-being.
With everything that is happening in the world today, BOOTSTRAPS provides a venue and an avenue for current and former serving members to help regain some stability in their lives. We also encourage all participants to bring their family members to share the time spent together and the unique items created.
Only a veteran understands. We all have our own struggles, but at BOOTSTRAPS you can relax with like minded people and reconnect with the community. There is no rank or politics here, and all we aim to do is to assist people through what ever journey they are taking.
‘I started BOOTSTRAPS back in 2017 after a particularly bad day where I found myself in my leather workshop struggling to deal with things. I had discovered that there was very little, to nothing, available for veterans where I lived. I have always enjoyed leather work since my father taught me as a child and found it to be very therapeutic.
My dad spent almost 40 years in the RAAF and was a Vietnam Veteran who found comfort in the art of leatherwork as well. Dad began to teach me what he knew, and our first project together was a pencil case that I used throughout high school.
After more than 20 years in the Army, I too find myself using leather craft as a way to de-stress and ‘be’ in the creative mind-set rather than the dark places I found myself.
On that particular day, whether it be coincidence or for some other reason, my 6-year-old son came into my workshop and asked me to teach him how to work with leather. Over the next few hours, I realised that I was reliving what my dad and I had done some 30 years before. It was surreal to say the least. It was also at that time that I realised that I could provide the same ‘moment’ for others who are facing similar issues within my area. Be it an individual project or a joint venture with a loved-one, BOOTSTRAPS has been set up to provide a creative space and veteran friendly drop-in centre’.
‘I encourage you to come down and make not only a leather project that will last you a long time, but just as importantly, make a memory that will last a lifetime’.
“This is the actual pencil I made back when I was thirteen. Even after all these years the memories are still heartfelt and as strong as the day I created this with my Dad” – Sam K
Sam Kavanagh
CEO/Founder
Enlisted in the Royal Australian Army in 1994. Served for more than 20 years in both regular and reserve forces. Began doing leather work at age 13.
Annette Kavanagh
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Worked in the legal industry for over 30 years. Has been an ADF spouse since 1998 and has two children. Has been doing leather work for over 15 years.
Dan Wall
Media
Served 25 years in the British Army as Electronics Engineer. Conducted multiple deployments overseas. Moved to Australia with his family in early 2022.
Amanda Kent
Secretary
Amanda joined the RAAF in 2015 as a Joint Battlefield Airspace Controller.
Her focus in leatherwork has been on making practical items that support her other hobbies. Amanda now aims to help other veterans through sharing her experiences.
Mark Williamson
Centre Manager
Callum Ashley-Buttler
Senior Instructor
Moved to Australia with his family in 2013 and has worked in Transport and agriculture most of his life.
Grew up watching his Dad leathercrafting and finally picked up his own tools in 2015 and has had his own leathercrafting home business specialising in live-action-roleplay and cosplay since 2016.