The big news is we are very proud to say we have the backing of the Queensland Government for the recommencement of our award-winning Employment Program. We are grateful to the member businesses of the Veterans Business Alliance that have remained strong during this period of volatility in grants and sponsorships. We are seeing an increase in connection activities and participation in the evenings (60% of activity is out of core hours) at Homebase, often with more than 1,000 people attending each month, which has led us to recognise that we can earn a dollar from room hire. We make this space available to like-minded community groups and businesses to hire during the day. Some of the most popular connection activities will continue into the rest of the year as well. Banjos is going gangbusters, averaging over 100 veterans, with an increase in mini get-togethers for those connected by wars, corps, or units. The role of Operation COMPASS as the foundation of The Oasis Townsville is gaining prominence, with our lived expertise being sought by government and professional bodies. Sales of our EKO Coffee Beans are picking up and are available for purchase from the Main Building.

Most importantly, we are open for business, and operations have not stopped. Our own sustainability implementation plan will be complete by the end of June, which will see us operating at a reduced level from the last 4 years, but at a similar level to all other 16 Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs. Connections activities have not missed a beat, and the place is still buzzing, especially after hours. There are so many more activities in the wind for June and July. The Employment Program is set to continue with the strong support of the Veterans Business Alliance (VBA). There is movement on the establishment of a Veteran Family Agency, which several of us from The Oasis Townsville have been proud to participate in. Despite the pain we went through, especially having to farewell 13 employees over the last few months, we remain the central veteran community coordination location we’ve been for four years and look forward to being the focal point for the efforts of the eventual Agency focussed on the wellbeing of the entire veteran community in Townsville.

Thank you to all our fans for the overwhelming support and encouragement we have received to help us rebalance for long-term sustainability. Last month was busy, even with the holidays, and next month is not slowing down. We have found opportunities to improve our services to the veteran community in the review process. Our review has highlighted opportunities for greater civil community involvement in our operations by making space available for them to work with us to benefit the veteran community. Our first Key Townsville ESO Leaders’ Meeting reported some progress on several of our ongoing issues for support in the region. Our Veterans Business Alliance now has over 50 members, and they have committed to remaining supportive until we can restart our award-winning employment program.

Despite floods, a cyclone and an earthquake, the activity level at Homebase has continued strongly. Queensland State Library's Digital Skills program was well received, along with everything from cooking to 4WDing. We look forward in the weeks ahead to the financial info sessions, which have proven popular and kids' art workshops happening now. We had a few important visits last month. The professionally conducted workshops on the new agency to be responsible for the entire veteran community have recently been conducted at Homebase, and proceedings will be briefed at the Key Townsville ESO Leadership Forum on 10 April at Homebase. As is a common experience for charities, Homebase is adjusting to fluctuations in grant and donor support, as changes occur, we are reviewing and adapting our operations to align with these changes. We will provide regular updates, including the ending of our award-winning Employment Program. The Strand Markets have shifted dates onto our Twilight Markets date, so we had to cancel ours so as not to crowd the space with markets.

Despite the flooding, February has been very busy at Homebase, even with a few events postponed. But our fortnightly Banjo Breakfast and the Career Connections Showcase were huge. The Defence Welcome Expo was also delayed but was well attended last weekend. The program of upcoming events is full with monthly money management sessions introduced, a 4WD course, several art programs, cooking, digital skills classes especially for content creation for social media, and so much more. The first Oasis Twighlight Market for 2025 is in preparation. We are also preparing for our 4th Anniversary Open Day, with EOIs open now to include the hugely demanded inclusion of ESOs with services to offer being showcased. We’ve briefed our new Patron, Brigadier Ben McLennan CSC and Bar and commenced briefings for Army and RAAF command teams in the Townsville region. There is significant activity in the mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention strategy areas and we have contributed strongly to all associated endeavours by Defence and DVA as part of our Operation COMPASS (ongoing from the National Suicide Prevention for Veterans and Families (2017-2022). With ANZAC Day and Easter so close we have ensured appropriate support is available throughout if needed – we are the knowledge centre for support in our region for veterans and their families.

Welcome to 2025, which has unfortunately begun with a severe weather event impacting North Queensland. Our thoughts are with everyone affected as we move forward in recovery. During times like these, we are reminded of the resilience of our communities and the strength that comes from coming together to support one another. In this spirit of community, we also extend a warm welcome to the new families of serving veterans who arrived in Townsville last month and hope they feel supported as they settle in. We also had a change in Patron. Brigadier Ben McLennan, as the new Commander of 3rd Brigade, is our new Patron. He has been in Townsville for the last four years and is very familiar with our operations. He is a very strong supporter, and we look forward to working closely with him and his staff.

The Remembrance Path is laid; come for a look. The PM has recognised our employment successes. The Federal Government has accepted the Royal Commission recommendations relating to hub operations funding. The big February event is the next Career Connections Showcase. Banjos will be back. A $200 furniture voucher for new families from Betta Electrical in partnership with the Oasis Townsville and Operation NAVIGATOR to commence Phase 2. Even bigger markets are coming soon, and so much more.

Winning two awards at PM’s National Veteran Employment Awards is a great way to end a very successful year. November was a big month. Phil Thompson, OAM, MP has laid the first paver in our Path of Remembrance. Our “All Things Housing Expo” was a massive success. Our final Townsville ESO Leadership Forum was very productive. Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) held another successful series of information sessions at Homebase. The last Banjos for 2024 was a ripper with over 100 attending. Next year is looking busy already. Check out the website What’s ON. We’ve got the popular cooking sessions starting early in January. There is considerable excitement building over the Digital Skills Courses commencing in Feb. Get the word out about the next Career Connections Showcase on 26 Feb. Our operating hours for the festive season are up on the website - closed from 17 Dec – 5 Jan. Have a great Christmas shutdown, and travel safely.

First, we have been named finalists in the PM’s Employment Awards for Small Businesses. Operation Navigator is booming thanks to support from commanders. The medical community is seeing the opportunity to support veterans through transition by collaborating with veterans’ and families’ hubs. Last month, 4Regiment made us proud by raising funds for our hub operations in support of veterans and families. We had a most outstanding Trick or Treat Twighlight Market. RSL Queensland supported partners of veterans from Homebase. Cooking was a hit – again! Next month will be the busiest month ever, including laying the first paver for the ‘Path of Remembrance’ and an ‘Everything Housing Expo’. Defence will hold the second Transition Seminar in Townsville for the year at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. We have Commonwealth Superannuation visiting again to talk about simplifying super. And we’ll host the last ESO Leaders Forum for the year to keep us all on the same page. Our collaboration with the Queensland Government on Our Thriving Digital Future is one to look out for early next year.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (RCDVS) saw the value in what the hubs could bring to the veteran community by recommending “Ongoing funding for Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs”. We hope this month all the parties contesting the Queensland Election have read the Final Report and recognise their role in addressing this national disgrace, especially in Australia’s largest garrison city. We’ve had some very encouraging visits including from a few VIPs to the leadership teams of some of the other Hubs. Our Military Advocacy Community of Practice is developing exceptionally well and rapidly. Last month the Combined Modelling and Lego Expo and the 4WD Course were very popular, so we’ll do more. In October, we have the 4 Regiment Gun Push, more cooking with Alliance Rehab, and our now well-established Craft Twighlight Markets. November will be busy too with reps from the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation returning for their quarterly presentations and interviews, the laying of the first paver in our Path of Remembrance, and our inaugural Housing Expo. And did I mention we are expanding our solar, adding batteries and expect to be close to off-grid-soon.

This month is more packed than usual with activities and info sessions. The date for the last Twighlight Markts for the year is set and expressions of interest for stalls are coming in fast. Our sponsoring unit in 3rd Brigade, 4th Regiment, is reviving the famous Gun Push to raise money for The Oasis Townsville. We’ve closed the books on the pavers for the Path of Remembrance and the date to begin laying is set. Our first Education Expo had great representation from the best academic institutions for veterans and partners in NQ. Our Podcast has taken off and the feedback is outstanding. Last month we were very proud to be named as finalist in the Townsville Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year. Hut 5 now has a name.

Last month’s Career Connections Showcase was the biggest and best yet with over 60 job seekers attending. There were over 1000 participants in activity at Homebase last month, and significantly more if we count drop-ins, info seekers and coffee drinkers, and a few particular popular activities are growing fast. Our Townsville ESO Leadership Collaborative meeting had every ESO singing off the same music sheet. We had a few visitors of note to see first-hand the innovative Homebase model from senior ranks within both DVA and the Queensland Government. The Oasis Townsville has been recognised as a Veteran Employment Supporter and is a finalist in the Employer of the Year category of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce Awards, with the winner to be announced this week. We have announced we will expand operations to include Queensland’s uniformed services personnel and their families, if supported to do so by the Queensland Government. August’s big events include our inaugural Education Expo, the naming of Hut 5 after a very local WWII veteran, and our signature cooking class for veterans young and old. We are also excited about how quickly our Homebase Podcast has taken off. Longer range will be our first adventure into 4WD – start your engines! Finally, we are very pleased to announce that we almost have enough pavers named in honour of our community's loved veterans to construct our Path of Remembrance and expect to commence construction in late September.

Our 3rd Anniversary celebration at Homebase showed how The Oasis Townsville is maturing and has become an important hub in the veteran landscape in Townsville. The Alliance Rehab Cooking class was, as always, a huge success. Coming this month is the next Career Connections Showcase put on by our Veterans Business Alliance, RDA TNWQ and the Queensland Government. The Warhammer Tournaments are growing rapidly in popularity, with another one this month. In the months ahead we are proud to introduce the Townsville Military Advocacy Community of Practice with advocates from ESOs in Townsville conducting a special Walk-up and Information Session in September. We’ll also be hosting our first Study Expo with all the educational institutions represented in the region to answer any question about upskilling. We've found the way veterans and families like to learn is to hear others' stories, so we’ve started our own podcast with the first release this month. We are proud to have been included in the book published by the Royal Commission called Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma and Tragedy, Hope and Healing. The sale of pavers for our Path of Remembrance is going well with planned construction on track.