2023
- Continued building relationships and sourcing facilitators for mental health workshops and community activities.
- Workshops and retreats:
- Mind Body Soul Retreats (February)
2021-2022
- Developed relationships with a variety of facilitators with the goal of offering programs and workshops focussed on building positive mental health and contribute to the healing of Emergency Service and ADF families.
- Offered our first Mind Body Soul workshops.
- Conducted first Mt Nebo Challenge Walk.
- Raised over $32000 to purchase Kubota F3690 mower to maintain 15 acres of camping paddocks
- Built a bridge over the creekline and established short mindfulness walk with the assistance of 9FSB (Amberley) and caretakers.
- Erected several camp shelters, a workshop shelter and installed further poles for future camp shelters.
- Installed large “play fort” in day use area.
- Ipswich Naval Association, Ipswich RSL and Young Veterans Ipswich installed a flag pole and Australian Flag at BCR. The flag pole was donated by the late Kenneth Hartwell’s family (Navy).
- Attended Stand Tall 4 PTS gala dinner and continued building relationships in the mental health space.
- 2022 Floods in February and May were significant weather events. We survived both these events without significant damage but were isolated for several weeks due to road damage.
2020-2021
- Continued development of Facebook support group. Total of approximately 5000 members in June 2021.
- Monthly community meetings held to enhance community engagement and strengthen support network for Emergency Service and ADF families.
- Relationship developed with 9 Force Support Battalion (Amberley) to assist in the construction of several camp shelters around the property utilising resources from the property (power poles, solar panels, roofing, etc). Further strengthening of support networks through community engagement with local ADF.
- Development of ongoing relationship with TACMED for the delivery of remote area first aid courses on the property. Further connections built with TACMED clientele which are primarily Emergency Service and ADF groups.
- TACMED filmed promotional material for courses offered.
- Installation of Telstra mobile phone booster at the undercover area for safety reasons.
- Design and production of Banks Creek Retreat merchandise (Shirts, beanies, hats, stubbie coolers and bumper stickers). Fundraising sale of merchandise conducted.
- Began restoration of old property windmill (1900’s) and other property relics.
2019-2020
- Monthly community meetings held to enhance community engagement and strengthen support network for Emergency Service and ADF families.
- Additional working bees conducted which involved Emergency Service and ADF families, further strengthening the connection between the property and the target community.
- 2019 New Years Eve fundraising event. 130+ people from ES and ADF families. QPS band for entertainment.
- Participation in the STAND TALL FOR PTS awareness convoy building community connections across all ES and ADF groups.
- Creation of a large “Circle of remembrance. This is a circle of hardwood bench seats surrounding a fire-pit. The is now used for social and memorial gatherings.
- Design and distribution of BCR challenge coins.
- Continuing assistance from Cat Rental (Toowoomba) for earthmoving equipment.
- Establishment of Containers for Change fundraising initiative.
- Sourcing of 12 x 9m power poles from Kennedy’s Timber.
- Development of 15 Acres of functional camping areas.
- Purchase of 2 x 40ft shipping containers and the erection of an undercover area between them. This is the current communal area with BBQ facilities for our monthly gatherings and functions.
- Significant drought had an effect on the property with limited water supplies and local fires.
- Establishment of formal booking procedures and CoViD-19 register.
2018-2019
- The development of a strong online and physical community to assist in building friendships and support networks. This network has been responsible for saving the lives of numerous people in crisis and supporting those with ongoing mental health issues often related to our experiences serving our greater community.
- Christmas in July fundraising event.
- Establishment of a regular monthly BBQ gathering for our members.
- Development of 4 Acres of functional camping area.
- Clearing/rehabilitation of an additional 11 Acres of land. The primary focus of this activity was to reclaim our native habitat from invasive lantana.
- Addition of 2 portable toilets that are regularly maintained.
- Installation of mobile fire fire fighting equipment.
- Establishment of an ongoing relationship with GRC Civil Constructions to assist with further land development.
- Establishment of an ongoing relationship with Young Veterans Ipswich.
- Establishment of an ongoing relationship with Fernvale Lions Club.
- Establishment of a recycling program for cans and bottles.
- Registered as a member of the Land for Wildlife initiative.
2017-2018
In June 2017, Grant and Nicole purchased 100 Acres of bushland located 12 km from Fernvale, Queensland that borders the D’Aguilar State Forest and is situated at the base of Mount Nebo.
Since the purchase of the property Grant and Nicole have spent significant time cleaning up the property with their own funds and connecting with other Emergency Services and ADF brothers and sisters through their Facebook page – Banks Creek Retreat – Emergency Services and ADF ONLY.
In late 2017, Grant and Nicole met with, and developed a strong connection with Stand Tall 4 PTS, and organisation dedicated to raising awareness about Post Traumatic Stress. This was a big step forward and provided much welcomed guidance and advice.
The property has a 1.5 Acre fenced region Grant and Nicole fondly label “The Compound” which they have been using as a caretakers office to coordinate executive meetings and networking activities. When purchased, this section was a dumping ground for machinery and abandoned vehicles. This area has been the location of numerous working bees and is now predominantly cleared of rubbish.
An area of approximate 15 Acres along a seasonal creek line and outside “The Compound” has also been reclaimed from invasive Lantana and converted into a useable camping and day use areas with toilets with an undercover BBQ area.