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.

Our first banjos for the year kicked off on Friday 21st February. It was great to see the connection and camaraderie over a banjo and coffee, next one is on Friday 7 March 0700-0900h. The 1st Career Connections Showcases was the biggest yet connecting Veterans and partners with businesses who understand the value of the members of our veteran community (members of the VBA). We are particularly pleased to see evidence of an increasing number of serving veterans doing their homework before making the life-changing decision to transition.

The Welcome to Townsville Expo was another big draw card over the weekend and it was great to see so many of the Veteran community out and linking in. We could not provide the Betta Electrical voucher at the Expo however the $200 furniture voucher per family is still available at The Oasis Townsville for collection - get in quick as they must be used by 30 June 2025.

Our upcoming events are proving to be big hits! A huge demand by families has been for sessions of smart money management and we are very pleased to team with the Salvation Army’s MoneyCare service and have introduced monthly sessions. The Back on Track 4WD course is booked out until May! Get in quick to secure your spot beyond that! If you are looking for an artistic opportunity to join other likeminded people, there are still spots available for both the Anime drawing class as well as the Acrylic Landscapes class. We are excited to announce digital skills classes now on offer teaching individuals digital content creation. The next cooking workshop is scheduled for 26 March spots are limited so be sure to register, the last one was a big hit with the delicious recipe being Chicken and Corn Fajitas. We continue to work closely with the very popular REAMUS Team who have commenced the restoration of a 1980’s Cobra Buggy.

The Salvation Army’s MoneyCare service has been delivering financial counselling in Australia for over 30 years. A MoneyCare Financial Counsellor will deliver monthly informative sessions at our Homebase aimed at providing information and tips on how to live meaningfully, no matter your financial situation. These free sessions will cover a range of topics, with our first session focused on "Dealing with Debt” which will be held on 11 March 2025.

Check out our What’s on for all events and session times!

Our Market Stallholder EOI’s are now live, with submissions coming in for crafts, gardening and fresh produce too! We are looking forward to a fantastic twilight market bigger and better than ever on Friday 11 April from 1630-1930h with live entertainment, food trucks and more! We look forward to seeing you there!

Our Annual Open Day (4-year anniversary at Homebase) is more than just an open day, this year we are opening up Homebase to include organisations that support the Veteran community to showcase their services. EOIs for organisations are live now on the website.

We recently briefed our new Patron and conducted a briefing for the Command Teams of 3BDE about Operation NAVIGATOR and particularly the Solid Foundations Workshop (SFW). During the briefing, we covered a variety of topics and discussed the importance of self-awareness and identity during service. The main topics covered during the SFWs are having a diverse network of connections, both military and civilian, having a hobby or interest that is not connected to military service and having a plan for the future. We have seen 100% of the participants from Block 1, 2025, submit an intake form to gain further support and information in areas such as social connection and financial literacy. We are growing the resources within our Online Application Tool across all 10 Veteran Community Needs.

We’ve also been actively supporting Defence and DVA to appreciate the coal-face realities of mental health, wellbeing and suicide strategies. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 has been released. It is fantastic to see that focus areas within the strategy reflect what we have been doing here at The Oasis for over four years. We have the evidence that this approach saves lives, and we know that for every dollar spent here, we save the health economy $3. It has also been rewarding to note our mention in the Defence and Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy - out for comment now. This strategy fits tightly with the Royal Commission recommendations that highlight the value of hubs like The Oasis Townsville. We have representation at both the Lived Experience of Suicide Summit as well as the National Suicide Prevention Conference in Perth. At these events policy makers, service providers and individuals with a lived experience come together to shape change. We are also looking at the Productivity Commission review of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention agreement and call for submissions. Operation COMPASS is our strong motivator to support the veteran community through these representations and underpins all we do at The Oasis Townsville.

This year Easter and Anzac Day are very close together with only three business days in between. We know that a lot of people will be connecting with family and friends during this time and here at Homebase we will have team members available to support anyone who may need it.