The good news is our Cafe will reopen as The Morning Magpie at Dirty Boots Cafe on 12 September. Last month's activity was the backbone of operations at Homebase as usual. Next month, key activities will continue, and we’ll also focus on addressing the needs of the veteran community for financial security and employment. AUKUS (soon to be rebranded as Skilliphy) is taking off, saving employers and veterans time and effort to find a great match more quickly. We have a new tenant arriving this month who is highly regarded by the veteran community. There is also movement in Queensland and the DVA, further to improve the lives of veterans and their families, and they seek your involvement.

The cafe will reopen as The Morning Magpie at Dirty Boots Cafe from 12 September. We’ll begin with two days a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, and expand from there. We need community support to keep this going. Please come and show your support. The café is an essential part of Homebase's community operations. We do need to cover the costs.

Activity in the past month has been strong. Homebase is utilised strongly and significantly after work hours, using the digital entry system. This has allowed us to feel more comfortable renting space during work hours to community-focused organisations. This is working well. Some of the biggest and most popular activities include: “Back on Track”, “Creative Connections”, “Social Strings” and “2025 Cobra Project”. We are particularly proud of the diverse group we are getting to Banjos every 2nd Friday at 0730h.

Activity in the next month is booked and continues at a strong pace. In addition to nearly 100 connection activities, we’ll focus this month’s Navigation Sessions on financial security, employment, and education.

Our VBA Member and valued veteran community financial advisor team, led by ADF veteran Roshan, will return to Homebase this month with a presentation that is free for anyone interested in learning about their options and potential financial decisions. These have proven very popular in the past, and we are grateful that Evergreen Financial Advisors are back to present. Presentation night is Wednesday, 10 September at Homebase.

The members of the Veterans Business Alliance have adapted to the emerging needs of ex-serving veterans and current serving ADF members. They’ve identified a way to be more accessible more frequently. They have invited any veteran (serving or ex-serving) who is contemplating or actively seeking a job or education to attend their monthly meeting. These Career Networking Nights in combination with the VBA O-Groups from 1700 to 1830h are gold. Veterans and partners have the opportunity to speak with veterans who own or employ other veterans and share their insights on getting started right. The next meeting is on Friday, 19 September, at Homebase.

AUKUS (soon to be rebranded as Skilliphy) has begun producing listings of veterans and partners seeking employment 13 this month. This list is published monthly and distributed widely. It will feature in each ONtarget and on LinkedIn. Members of our Veterans Business Alliance have direct access to candidates and are offered a significant discount to utilise this access via the AUKUS software. This saves candidates and employers in time and effort, finding matches quicker.

At Ease Community Nursing was established by one of Townsville’s most respected veteran doctors, and his community nurses are to be based at Homebase. Dr Paco’s community nursing staff were looking for a home, and he realised they could support The Oasis Townsville by renting space at Homebase. We are very grateful for the support and for being acknowledged by such a well-regarded member of the veteran medical community.

The Queensland Government is preparing to write a Veterans Strategy, and DVA has contracted Latrobe Uni to explore what is important to veterans and families (serving and ex-serving) when it comes to health and wellbeing. Both are essential pieces of work – if anyone needs more info to get involved, potentially, please let us know.

Special deal for room hire in September ONLY, all room bookings are 50% off, so get in quick and book your space.