It’s been a week of tension, movement, and—quietly—momentum.

FNB Hobart – The Challenge

This week opened with a challenge. Following last week’s co-hosting arrangement, a claim was made—one that went beyond collaboration and into control. The suggestion was that they held a kind of supremacy, and therefore the right to continue on, effectively taking over the space.

That idea didn’t land.

We addressed it directly and firmly. The structure we’ve built isn’t about ownership—it’s about access, shared responsibility, and continuity for the people who rely on it. That boundary was made clear, and since then, we haven’t seen them return.

The door isn’t closed. We extended an invitation for them to come back in a month’s time, to re-engage in a way that aligns with the spirit of the work. So far, they’ve chosen not to take that path—opting instead for an all-in approach, a kind of “Tijuana or bust” play for immediate control.

In their own words, it was “a shame.”

And in a way, it is. But the work continues.

Woodcraft Adventures – On the Road

This week, Woodcraft Adventures was put to its best use—we hit the road.

“Dusty,” the white van, carried us and our carved animals across the state. First stop: a visit to a friend’s new shop in Oatlands—Hollison’s Timber, Treats, and Treasures. A meaningful connection. Not only did they make a wholesale purchase, but they also floated the idea of hosting workshops.

That possibility marks a turning point.

These workshops could represent $1,000–$2,000 days. Real income. Real sustainability. And yet, if I’m honest, I don’t quite feel ready for it. There’s something about stepping into that scale that still feels just out of reach—but it’s there now, on the horizon.

From there, we moved on to Campbelltown and visited a local gallery. We met a shop owner who’s been quietly building exactly the kind of model I’ve been thinking about—community arts sessions, classes, a newsletter, a hub. She’s doing it. And more than that, she offered to help.

That kind of encounter shifts things. It makes the path feel real.

We then drove east, crossing the state to the coast. Three days living out of the van, carving wood, watching the light change over the water. Simple work. Grounding work. The kind that reminds you why you started.

FNB Hobart – Shared Table Returns

Returning from the road, we stepped straight back into the city and into service.

We accessed the food bank and held our Shared Table – Free Lunch on Saturday. It was a smaller gathering this week, but strong in its focus. A diverse mix of people, including a few couples sleeping rough.

These couples are a group we’re increasingly aware of—partners navigating life on the street together, often alongside substance use. Our model has space for them. We support relationship, not just the individual. That matters.

We also continue to prioritise women’s support—ensuring access to toiletries, clothing, and a level of dignity that is too often overlooked. The need is there, and we’re responding to it in practical ways.

Behind the Scenes

Alongside everything else, we’ve been steadily working on the foundations:

• Building out our social media presence
• Organising our Google account
• Exploring the possibility of regaining access to the old FNB Hobart Facebook page

That last one could be significant. At the moment, that page continues to circulate incorrect information—wrong times, outdated details. Regaining control would mean clarity for the community and a more accurate reflection of what’s actually happening on the ground.

There’s a real chance we can take it back.

Closing

No major breakthroughs this week—but no setbacks either.

We held our ground where it mattered.
We moved forward where we could.
And we kept showing up.

That’s enough for now.