SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL

To enhance the well-being, resilience and potential of Veterans and first responders

To assist Defence members and frontline personnel with support for mental health issues through fishing and mate ship.

Trust, Respect and Integrity Self-esteem, resilience and confidence Skills development and team work Environmental understanding Courage Quality and innovation Affordability and sustainability

Reeling Veterans is pleased to present this sponsorship proposal to you, an exciting mental health program supporting Vet- erans and first responders through fishing and boating. The program is designed to provide Veterans a safe place to share their experiences and help build a network of support through mate ship. In particular, the program will seek to help Veterans understanding of how thoughts and feelings influ- ence behaviour, exposure to various strategies which will bring about positive change, enhance their resilience, learn about their environment and value mate ship. This exciting program was launched last year in April by Michael Hurren, an experienced and respected veteran within the local community. Following an evaluation of the 2021 event and the positive outcome that was achieved, Reeling Veterans committee decided to expand and develop the mental health program to 2022 and beyond. By proactively supporting Reeling Veterans, sponsors will contribute to an innovative program that supports the skills devel- opment and confidence of our Veterans and first responders. Sponsors will also strengthen the social fabric of the communi- ty and help removed the stigma around mental health. The mental health program will provide sponsors with access to local Defence and first responders and their families. Most of these clients reside in the Darwin and Palmerston regions, and many are families who utilize our local schools, shops and

addition, our programs serve many seniors and people with mental illness in various capacities. Reeling veteran's capacity to provide sponsors with the potential to raise their profile in the community and reach new cus- tomers is extensive. We will provide sponsors with opportunities to promote their services to our many clients, members and supporters through various channels such as our newsletters, website, events and media exposure.

Reeling Veterans, is a special Fishing for therapy program designed to provide, confidence, mate ship and reduce stigma. In particular, the program seeks to help clients:

Understanding of how thoughts and feelings influence behavior Develop social integration The program is more than a 'one-off' experience. It is hoped that it will provide participants with a longer-term pathway to a lifetime of fishing and potential understanding of their mental health issues. The program is veteran run and delivered by professional, Mental Health First Aid and ASSIST qualified volunteer personal. As an entry-level fishing program, no prior fishing or boating experience is required and all equipment, including boats, is provided. By the end of the program the client will: Have learned the basic boating safety rules and procedures, and how to use safety equipment Understand how thoughts can influence choices Understand how to cook/clean fish Better understanding of mental wounds

Reeling Veterans is a not-for-profit organisation, registered charity, governed by a volunteer Board. We are a small community or- ganisation that provides services to more and more veterans each year. Operating for nearly 3 years in the NT, Reeling Veterans are committed to delivering quality community services of social value and practical benefit. Our vision is for a resilient and socially inclusive community that cares for the well-being of all veterans and first responders and their families. With our current agreement with Robertson barracks (Solider Recovery Centre) and the weekly trips we of them. Our current breakdown of clients we help is as such: Palmerston and surrounding suburbs 65%

Our services provide assistance to people in all stages of life. Including day fishing trips, overnight and 5-day trips, assistance for those experiencing hardship, home maintance support, transition out of Defence force support and social activities for families. Day Fishing trips: We provide day trips to help positively support with mental health development. We offer emotional and practical support to clients and their family, and help parents develop positive parent/child relationships. Solider Recovery Centre trips: We provide weekly trips the SRC on Robertson Barrack. These trips offer emotional and practical support to current serving

Extended trips: We manage this activity by providing a welcoming environment for all veterans and their family. These trips allow us to provide more one on one help put into place welfare and support networks. These trips also help with bringing families together and allow for parent to child bonding. Parent reconnection Trips: Mental illness put a lot of pressure on families. We provide parent, child trips to help reconnect them with their children and to help promote a strong family. Community: We provide fishing trips to local families experiencing hardship, in partnership with local parliamentary minsters. We hold regular get together activities to bring people together to share their experience and to socialise and meet similar people.

The email came "You've been selected to participate in the 2022 Tiwi Fishing Program run by Reeling Veterans". First thoughts; "Why did I apply?" "How am I going to get on the plane?" "What if I embarrass myself with my anxiety while I'm away?" My mind was racing leading up to the trip and I contemplated pulling the pin. We had constant reassurance from Michael Hurren and his amazing RV committee, that it was normal to feel this way and to just take that step. So, did! One of the best decisions I've made along my journey. Conversations started in Darwin on the first day talking to another vet- eran willing to discuss the challenges they faced leading up to the trip (refreshing to say the least We travelled from Darwin Harbour to Tiwi Islands. I was on a boat skippered by John Cross who volunteers his time and made me feel relaxed and we had great discussions on the journey over. John managed to get us onto some good fish the first afternoon and I think everyone had settled in and realized what an opportunity we had here. That night we settled in on the mother ship "Sea Eagle" generously donat- ed by Dennis Smart and his deckhand Karl Schroter. This was a challenge for me as I normally like to isolate and not put myself out there. It took me a couple of days to really adjust to close quarters and being in each other's space which allowed us to connect and share this fishing experience together. The conversations I shared with the staff and other clients were invaluable. There is nothing more comforting then listening to someone that has or is experiencing the same feelings and struggles that we all do. We laughed we cried and everything in between but it was some of the best therapy I've had along my journey. Yes, we caught fish and have photos to prove it. But for me it was more than just the fishing. It was an opportunity to be able to talk to veterans from all different backgrounds currently going or have been through difficult times for lots of different reasons. People listened and helped me normalise things that traditionally held me back in my life. I am refreshed and excited to keep in touch with the new connections l've made from this trip. I have no doubt there will be challenging days but I am certain that I could call anyone at any time if needed to and those who I shared this experience with know that I would be more than happy to return the

Terms of Sponsorship Agreement

We propose a one to three-year agreement with City of Palmerston for sponsorshipof the Fishing for Therapy Tiwi Trip. We aim to

provide value to sponsors by: 18 providing opportunities for them to market their services; 08providing them with opportunities to become actively involved in community events; and

0 helping them lift their profile as an active supporter of worthwhile community

The terms of any formal sponsorship agreement are negotiable, depending on the level of sponsorship offered and the nature of the sponsoring entity. However, the following levels of sponsorship are indicative of arrangements that could be negotiated.

Sponsor 1 veterans/ first responders to participate in the Program at a cost of $1500 per veteran)

 

Publish a sponsor Logo on boat/ social media and event shirts. Recognition of sponsor on the Reeling Veterans website, with a link to the sponsor's website. Sponsor invited to attend local fundraising events which provide useful networking opportunities for the sponsor.

 

Gold : $12000 annually (Sponsorship ever Darwin or Townsville)

 

Sponsor Benefits Publish a sponsor Logo on boat/ social media and event shirts. Recognition of sponsor on the Reeling Veterans website, with a link to the sponsor's website. Sponsor invited to attend local fundraising events which provide useful networking opportunities for the sponsor. Sponsor granted the right to display "Proud sponsors the Fishing for Therapy" on its website, and newsletters. Place the sponsor logo on promotional brochures. Publish a sponsor advertisement in two Reeling veterans' newsletters each year. Recognition of sponsor on the Reeling Veteran's website, with a link to your website.

 

Platinum  $30000 (Sponsorship is promoted in both Darwin and Townsville)

Sponsor Benefits Publish a sponsor Logo on boat/ social media and event shirts. Recognition of sponsor on the Reeling Veterans website, with a link to the sponsor's website. Sponsor invited to attend local fundraising events which provide useful networking opportunities for the sponsor. Sponsor granted the right to display "Proud sponsors the Fishing for Therapy" on its website, and newsletters. Place the sponsor logo on promotional brochures. Publish a sponsor advertisement in two Reeling veterans' newsletters each year. Recognition of sponsor on the Reeling Veteran's website, with a link to your website.

E: info@reelingveterans.com.au www.reelingveterans.com.au