Before I share the week’s updates, I want to restate the mission clearly — because this isn’t just a bunch of activities. It’s a direction.
Our Mission (Updated + Current)
1) Create income pathways through wood carving.
Using Tasmanian animal carving as a way to train people — especially people living with disability — to build skills, confidence, and potentially a small craft side-hustle.
2) Build real community (not just events)
We do this through gatherings, volunteering, and structured one-on-one meet-ups that have purpose — not wasted time. The goal is connection that can lead somewhere: a small project, a volunteer role, a micro-enterprise, a story, or a new beginning.
🪵 Wood Carving Workshop — Wednesdays at Kingston Beach (2pm–3pm)
I’ve officially started a regular wood carving workshop at Kingston Beach.
Every Wednesday, 2pm–3pm, we’ll be carving together — and the theme is simple:
Make your own Tasmanian animal.
It’s relaxed, beginner-friendly, and focused on the process.
This week I also heard from a psychosocial centre who are interested in a workshop. I can already see a few gaps in how the workshop currently looks — but that’s normal at the start.
We have a meeting on Thursday.
🎶 Tried a Community Singing Workshop (Not My Vibe)
I tried a new singing gathering led by a professional.
It was smooth, cosy, and honestly kind of cool — very much about “riding the nervousness” and letting the voice happen.
But it felt mostly like something designed for workers who want to relax after work. It lacked a bit of oomph for me.
I ended up singing high because the lead voices sat there — which was fun — but I won’t be going again.
Still glad I tried it.
🎥 Video Time With My Nephew — Building Toward Something Bigger
This week I started a meeting with my young nephew where we just made videos for an hour — fun, creative, and relaxed.
I’m going to make it a regular thing fortnightly.
And here’s a big step:
I’ve invited my first father and daughter into what could become a youth group.
That kind of thing isn’t easy — especially at the beginning.
But social work is the foundation of all of this. And if we want to do this properly, we have to meet the expectations of the training and education behind it.
So I need to do this.
And honestly — we need to do something.
Because once you hear certain things, you can’t un-hear them.
You can’t ignore violence and neglect against children in our community.
🍲 Community Dinner — New Faces and Real Conversations
Our community dinner went well.
Lots of new people came. And I honestly think we’re guaranteed to keep meeting new people — because there will always be a poor class, and there will always be people needing community and support.
Some came for chats.
Some came to drop their bundle.
Some are returning already.
One practical note: I’m chasing up a lost bag belonging to a girl.
🌉 Friday Under-the-Bridge Meet-Up (Locked In)
It’s locked in now: I’m meeting a homeless volunteer under the bridge on Friday for a proper meeting.
I’ll be wood carving the whole time too — making it a crossover experience:
conversation + presence + carving.
🎵 Back Singing Across 4 Communities
I’m back singing again, visiting four communities at different venues.
And at Kingston with the older ladies — I got hugs, thanks, and three kisses for returning.
It mattered more than I expected.
Closing Thought
This week had a lot of movement.
Some things I’m committing to.
Some things I’m dropping.
Some things are still forming.
But the theme is clear:
Keep showing up. Keep building what works.
