Flannel Project Newsletter — Winter Update
🌟 In just 12 months, The Flannel Project has grown from personal grief into a lifeline, reaching survivors across the country, sparking national conversations, and laying the foundation for Australia's first veteran suicide postvention network.
🌸 June 21st: A Day That Changed Everything
On the winter solstice, something extraordinary happened. Over 200 people joined our 2nd year in a row, Wear a Flan 4 Shan: The Silent Walk Home at Brisbane, bringing together families, survivors, service members, and supporters in the largest dedicated gathering for veteran suicide remembrance our community has seen.
With flannel shirts on backs and flags in our hands, we walked in silence for those who never made it home.
"I've been waiting for something like this for 8½ years. No one's done it, until now." — Gwen Cherne, Australian Veterans' Families Advocate Commissioner
Mark your calendar: June 21st, 2026 is our next Wear a Flan 4 Shan.
🌺 Introducing Flannel Flower Day
We're now working with the Federal Government to establish June 21st as National Flannel Flower Day, a day of remembrance, mental health awareness, and solidarity for Australia's veteran community.
It’s the beginning of a national moment, a chance for every Australian to honour the 1,600+ veterans we’ve lost to suicide since 1997 and to stand beside the survivors they left behind.
🧡 Now Live: The Flannel Field
Our digital memorial is now open.
If you’ve lost a veteran to suicide, you can now add their name, story, and photo to The Flannel Field, a quiet online space to honour their life. A digital flannel flower is planted with each tribute, as a small but meaningful symbol of remembrance.→ Add a tribute now: Flannel Field — The Flannel Project
👣 Join This Month's 10 Before 10 Challenge
Walk 10,000 steps before 10am on July 10th. Pledge $10. Honor a life.
Open to everyone, individuals, schools, gyms, offices, walking groups. You don't have to be a veteran. You just have to care.→ Sign up at www.theflannelproject.com/10before10
🎧 Coming Soon: A Voice from the Frontlines of Grief
Courtney, one of the closest people to Shan, is bringing raw, unfiltered conversations about survival, healing, and hope to our new conversation series.
🛠️ SOS Flannel Card:
The SOS Flannel Card offers up to $1,000 in personalised support for survivors of veteran suicide — but it's more than financial help. It's a tailored care pathway built around three phases: stabilisation, grief, and growth.
From urgent practical needs like grocery vouchers, GP visits, and emergency counselling, to longer-term grief support and post-traumatic growth resources, each card is issued after a needs assessment to ensure it reaches those who need it most. We walk with survivors through the early shock, the heavy middle, and the slow rebuilding
Plus: Download our free Survivor Toolkit for practical guidance during sudden loss.
→ Get resources at Resources — The Flannel Project
👕West Wings: Restoring Dignity in Crisis
In locked mental health wards across Queensland, many patients arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Some are admitted in moments of deep crisis, without time to pack. Others have belongings that are lost, damaged, or taken during emergency admissions. Too often, they’re left in hospital gowns, cold, exposed, and stripped of identity.
West Wings is our response.
We partner directly with hospital mental health teams to provide essential, plain clothing, t-shirts, underwear, trackpants, and warm layers so that patients can begin their healing journey with dignity.
Because when someone is at their lowest, even a simple act of compassion, like clean clothes can say: You matter. You are not forgotten.
West Wings currently supports the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, with plans to expand across Queensland.
🔗 Learn more or donate at www.theflannelproject.com/westwings
🤝 Partnership Spotlight
Together with The Salvation Army, we’re standing shoulder to shoulder in postvention, walking alongside those left behind after veteran suicide.
This partnership isn’t just about services. It’s about heart. It’s about meeting survivors where they are, holding space in the darkest moments, and reminding them they are not alone.
💸 Big News: We're Now Tax-Deductible!
The Flannel Project is officially a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Every donation over $2 is tax-deductible, you'll get a receipt to claim at tax time.
This changes everything for our funding capacity. → Make a tax-deductible donation at Take Action — The Flannel Project
What's Next?
10th of each month: Next 10 Before 10 challenge
Oct: Survivor-led podcast launch
2026: Flannel Flower Memorial Garden launch
June 21st, 2026: Wear a Flan 4 Shan returns.
Until next time, keep wearing your flannel with pride.
With love and hope,
El & The Flannel Project Team x
A Flannel Project Update from El
Here is the lowdown on what’s been happening at The Flannel Project Lately
"Wear a Flan 4 Shan Recap"
Thanks to you all, our "Wear a Flan 4 Shan" event was an amazing success! It was a heartwarming gathering where we honored the memory of Shan; she would have loved to see us all there. Through our efforts, we managed to raise over $5,000 for Courtney and Han's trauma therapy sessions, which covers a full year of therapy. We had 200 participants, both in person and virtually, joining us. Ness, Shan's mum, along with Lynette, Sue, Courtney, and Han's mum, extend their heartfelt gratitude to you all for creating such a memorable day. Mark your calendars for our next "Wear a Flan 4 Shan" event in 2025, on Saturday, June 21st.
The Flannel Project Attains Official Not-for-Profit Status!
A round of applause! The Flannel Project has achieved official not-for-profit status and is on its way to becoming a charity. Alongside Lisa Riley and James Marriott, I am proud to serve as one of the directors. We are humbled by this opportunity and are committed to making a difference. Each of us brings a unique contribution to the Flannel Project. Remember, this is your community and charity, and we are here to shape it according to our needs and support.
Lisa, James & El
Website Launch and Wellness Blog
Great news - our website is up and running! I'll be sharing mental health blogs every two weeks, along with an animated version for visual learners like me. Several blogs are already available for you to explore here
Flannel Walking Group:
Lisa and I are thrilled to announce that we will kick off a weekly outdoor walking and support group in the coming month. Our goal is to foster a close-knit community that enjoys outdoor walks and mutual support. These walks will be every Tuesday after work followed by trivia at Hotel West End. Oh, and for those not in Brisbane, we extend a warm invitation to join our virtual walking family.
Signup for free here
Collaboration with "Paws of Hope" Charity Focused on Service Dogs
The Flannel Project recognizes the essential role that service dogs play in our mental health journeys, offering emotional support and enhancing our mental well-being. We are currently in discussions with Paws of Hope to establish a partnership. Shan had a deep affection for her dog Flannel, and I firmly believe that my dog Bear played and plays a significant role in my mental health recovery journey. Dogs truly bring happiness and purpose to our lives. As we finalize our collaboration with Paws of Hope, The Flannel Project is committed to incorporating therapy dogs into our mission of prevention and intervention. Stay tuned for updates on how we will integrate dogs into our healing efforts and how you can participate. ♡♡♡
Bill (left) and Bob (right) from Paws of Hope with their service dogs Raven and Tiba
Murri Assistance Program:
We have another very special upcoming project assisting Steve, a Murri community worker from the Mununjali. Wangeeraburra, Birri Gubba, Gungalu Mob. Steve is part of a working group that runs mental health and addiction yarns up at the Dutton Park community shed. To back his initiative, we are organizing monthly fundraising BBQs at the shed near the river. The objective is to collect funds to buy a large freezer and four microwaves for the shed, enabling Steve to provide meals to the Murri community members facing addiction challenges. For just $5, attendees can enjoy a simple BBQ meal, a beverage, and participate in cultural yarns with Steve. I firmly believe that it is essential to support Steve in his dedication to helping his community tackle addiction issues, as this will greatly enhance their mental health and sense of community. This aligns perfectly with The Flannel Project's mission. Steve, who led the Acknowledgment to Country at our recent event, is a caring individual, and I am certain that you all would be enthusiastic about supporting him and his community. Stay tuned for updates on the monthly BBQ gatherings. Your presence and support would be greatly appreciated. For more information and to sign up click here
New “Flannel Connect” Facebook Group:
I’ve recently started a Facebook group called Flannel Connect, a space where we can come together to provide mutual support and share our stories of our challenges bur also our victories. The main aim of the group is to create a community where we can offer support, share wisdom, and give advice to one another, fostering unity and brightening our individual paths. Support plays a crucial role in our mental health journeys, as I've learned from personal experience that without it, true healing is challenging. I'll be actively participating in the group, sharing insights, showing love, and being there for each and every one of you with everything I got.
Join our Volunteer Team:
If you're keen on getting involved and offering your time, we view joining our volunteer group as an incredibly generous and kind gesture that deserves admiration. I strongly believe in the power of teamwork, understanding that without committed individuals like yourself, the team would not succeed. If you're interested in taking part in our initiatives, please get in touch, and I will include you in our volunteer team WhatsApp page. We are creating fantastic programs for all to join, with the goal of making a lasting impact together. Your involvement is crucial for progress, and we truly appreciate your assistance. Thank you in advance.
To be a part of our community, click here
