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.

Our Employment Program was recognised twice at the PM’s National Veterans Employment Awards in November. We were awarded the Employer of the Year – Small and Excellence in Supporting Veteran and Partner Employment – Regional. The latter is the inaugural award in this new category. We have been blessed to have Christie as our Employment Coordinator with such an amazing imagination and drive to improve every aspect of our Veterans Business Alliance, Career Showcases and network of others across Australia working in this space. Wait till you see what she’s got planned for next year!

We hosted our inaugural Housing Expo last month. The trust effect from Career Connections Showcases is rubbing off as this first event was very well attended. We had all the relevant providers, from homelessness support to DHOAS and renovations. The feedback from participants and presenters has been amazing.

2024 has been the year we tipped over into recognition as the centre of the veterans’ and families’ community. The evidence is in the enthusiastic attendance at the Townsville ESO Leadership Forums held at Homebase. Our last forum, recently held at Homebase, was attended by our veteran local federal member, Phil Thompson, OAM, MP. We had an excellent brief on the impact of the Royal Commission recommendations on our community and a brief from DFWA on their efforts regarding changes to legislation and processes.

CSC visited again, and many of our veteran community members packed into Hut 6 to learn how to utilise their superannuation best. We’re looking forward to having the team back at Homebase for their regular visits in 2025.

Our last Banjos for the year was massive. The best thing about these breakfast mornings is the diverse participants. We have everyone from Vietnam veterans and working veterans in new careers to groups of soldiers and aviators from Lavarack and RAAF Base Townsville and Ross Island. We are very grateful for the sponsorship of this event. This veteran was helped at The Oasis Townsville and has seen an opportunity to pass on the benefits they experienced. Everyone loves a free coffee and a banjo on the way to work or an excuse to meet up with a few mates.

Next year we reopen on 5 Jan and have a great year lined up. We will dive more into skilling veterans and partners, supporting transitions and helping newly posted or separated veterans and families to make the necessary connections and establish themselves in paradise.

We wish every one of our clients, participants, supporters, advocates, donors and visitors a great break over Christmas and New Year. Check out the website for exact timings over the break and for the contact details if you need help while we are stood down.

See you all in 2025.