- 0480 239 994
- 4 GOLF LINKS DRIVE, GATTON, QLD, 4343
- admin@bootstraps.org.au
- 0900-1500 Mon/Wed/Fri
This month’s banner is inspired by Bootstraps’ Christmas in July raffle – 31st of July.
Welcome to the July 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!
Hello again everyone and welcome back to the next instalment of our News Leather.
We have certainly had some ups and downs this month, but I am pleased to say that we have come through the tough times and are now on track for bigger and brighter things.
We have had several staff/role changes recently, and it is my pleasure to announce that Amanda Kent is now the new Secretary and Executive board member. Amanda has already cemented her place on the team and is implementing a number of behind the scenes projects that will greatly help BOOTSTRAPS. I would also like to introduce Mark Williams who is taking on the Centre Manager role. Mark’s enthusiasm and passion for our centre is already evident with his level of work already, despite only taking on the role two weeks ago. I feel the addition of these two members, along with the current staff, will help us continue to provide assistance to those in need.
I would like to remind you all that we are having our Christmas in July RAFFLE that will be drawn at the end of the month. The prizes are those left over from the gala ball, and I would encourage everyone to get your tickets before they all run out. The prizes are fantastic, and you will be helping to raise money to keep the doors open.
We will be at Riverlink Shopping centre Ipswich on the 8th, 9th, and 10 of July, and at Grand Central Toowoomba on the 11th and 12th. I hope to see as many of you as we can.
Thank you all and I look forward to seeing you all safe and well next month.
– Sam Kavanagh, CEO Bootstraps
LEATHERWORK CLASSES:
We continue to host as many formal leatherwork classes as people want; last month we had ladies in to make their own purses. They used the templates to form the purses, choosing their own colour and design work. For first-timers, we think they did an excellent job, something to be proud of. Well done ladies, we look forward to having you back for future projects.
We also had Emma and Kyle come in to make custom stubby holder anniversary presents; these works-in-progress are going to turn out fantastic. We look forward to having them both in the centre again soon.
We have had a bit of a refresh of our website (thank you Leigh at Onside Online);
if you haven’t done so already, go and check it out!
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!
We recently engaged with another local group about reproducing some stitching ponies so that we can teach more people to sew at one time.
Lockyer Woodcrafters Group (on Facebook) exceeded our expectations with a dozen or so of these custom ponies.
If you’re looking to create something with wood, then check out these guys; between them, they have a huge wealth of knowledge and experience.
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:
We would like to say a huge thank you to the local organisations that have recently donated towards the work we do at Bootstraps supporting Veterans and their families.
As we mentioned last newsletter, Australia Post granted us $2000 to purchase tools. The wife of our very own Callum, Ali, as an Australian Post member, was able to nominate us for a People in Post grant; these grants allow members to nominate a worthy cause that they are passionate about.
Well, we got straight to work shopping for the much-needed tools that will allow us to achieve so much more than before. Many thanks to the suppliers; Bunnings, Leffler Leather and Birdsall Leather.
We are ever so grateful to all of the organisations for their kind support. For a small charity like ourselves, ever dollar really does count; it all goes towards keeping the doors open and buying the supplies, allowing us to do what we do best.
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!”
We have been fortunate enough to welcome a new member to the team.
Mark is ex-Army, and more recently ex-RAAF; he has become our centre manager.
We shall do a more detailed bio on the next newsletter.
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
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!
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 Saber Digital Solutions.
Adam at Saber Digital Solutions has been continually supporting Bootstraps for many years; his work on our website, social media, newsletter and general technical help have been invaluable. We are very thankful for what he has done for us.
Saber have got the expertise to create and manage your digital marketing needs across a number of platforms.
Check out their site to discover what Saber can do for your business.
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.
They say that laughter is the best medicine… so here’s your dose of giggles for this month’s News Leather!
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!
Below are some of the items we’ve been working on the past month.
First up is a measuring belt; it has many, many holes which will allow customers to quickly determine the size belt they need to be aiming for when making one from scratch.
Next up is a work in progress – we’ll keep you updated on how this handbag turns out.
Lastly, Mark has been working on a notebook cover for a while, it’s almost finished; he was utilising the LASER to produce a custom logo for the front.
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!
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
