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.

The number of events at Homebase continues to grow and diversify. Queensland State Library delivered its Digital Skills program at Homebase last month. An immersive workshop focusing on levelling up your skills and transforming your ideas into captivating content that connects and inspires! Keep an eye out for future course opportunities from the Queensland Library! The cooking workshop was another big hit with Delicious Butter Chicken Curry on a rainy day! What more could you want? Our lovely team of dieticians from Alliance Rehab were joined by an enthusiastic group in the kitchen who together cooked up a storm. Our second Back on Track 4WD course is coming up fast. This FREE 1-day course will run throughout 2025 and has proven to be a hit amongst our community members! Back on Track is designed for recreational drivers who want to explore with confidence, safety, and skill. Our first block of Creative Connections classes is now complete! With some great feedback from our attendees, we look forward to delivering our next 7-weeks of workshops to the Veteran Community. Join us from April 29th as we explore mixed media collaging on a Tuesday evening & and develop our skills by drawing Australia’s native animals on a Thursday morning. All artwork created will have the opportunity to be shown in our art exhibition towards the end of the year. School holidays are just around the corner, and so are the Creative Connections' Kids Easter Art Workshops! Run by Creativity Hood, this program will be a hands-on creative experience split into two different workshops: an Acrylic Painting Workshop suitable for children aged 6 - 14 and a Foam Clay Sculpting Workshop suitable for children aged 3 – 12. The Salvation Army’s MoneyCare service has delivered financial counselling in Australia for over 30 years. A MoneyCare Financial Counsellor will deliver monthly informative sessions at our Homebase to provide information and tips on living meaningfully, no matter your financial situation. These free sessions will cover a range of topics. For all of the above, check out What’s On for more information.

There are still Betta Electrical vouchers available. $200 furniture voucher per new family posted to Townsville; come and collect at The Oasis Townsville - get in quick as they must be used by 30 June 2025.

Edwina Andrew, who is the ALP candidate for Herbert in the upcoming Federal Election, visited and given her background in charities and not-for-profits, left with a very good understanding of our challenges as a community organisation. Luke Gosling the Member of Solomon and Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia, also visited with a view to better understanding what a hub could do to support veterans and families in his electorate and across northern Australia. Deputy Secretary of DVA Teena Blewitt was at Homebase leading the work on Recommendation 87 regarding the new agency in DVA to oversee the wellbeing of the entire veteran community, not just the DVA claimants.

There is ongoing work relating to the Royal Commission, with a workshop held regarding Recommendation 89 for a peak body to serve the ESO community and Recommendation 87 regarding the new agency in DVA to oversee the wellbeing of the entire veteran community. Many members of our ESO community, as well as veterans and families, have participated. As we get information about how our communities can participate or are likely to be affected, we will notify everyone. Our first opportunity to discuss as a Townsville Veteran Community will be at the Key Townsville ESO Leadership Forum on 10 April at Homebase.

Due to the unforeseen Strand Markets date change to Friday, 11th April, we unfortunately no longer have a sufficient number of stall holders to proceed with our Twilight Markets. We are very sorry to anyone who was planning to attend our markets. We thank you for your understanding and continued support of the veteran community at future events.

Some changes are coming at The Oasis Townsville. As our most significant grants come to an end and we seek new sources of income, we are reviewing and adapting our operations to align with these changes as they occur. We will likely have to wait some time for the Royal Commission's recommendation (86) for operational funding for the evolving 17 hubs around Australia. In the short to medium term, we realise these changes will impact those who depend on us for support. Some impacts have already been felt. Our award-winning Employment Program has ended, a reduction in team members, and we have had to pause accepting any more Client Intake Applications. We are grateful for the support we receive from the Veteran and ESO community and are encouraged by the offers to help navigate the changes.

One of the first programs to be impacted is our Employment Program. The four-year program funded by the Queensland Government has been a massive success, including winning two awards at the Prime Minister's Employment Awards late last year. However, it is in its final stages and will officially close on April 30, 2025, as we have not secured ongoing funding. Unfortunately, this has also financially impacted our team, leading to some difficult changes. However, we remain hopeful of securing more funding to allow us to restart the Employment Program in the future.

We have decided to postpone our annual Open Day. This event has been invaluable in showcasing our facility, team, and services to the veteran community while also providing opportunities to connect with a range of community services. However, given that this year is a TALISMAN SABRE year, meaning much of the ADF will be out of town during the best months to hold the event and considering the outcome of funding applications, we have determined that postponing is the best course of action. We hope to reschedule at a more suitable time and will let you know as soon as possible.