12/06/2026
"The Saddle Academy" - A venture that we are trying to initiate here in the Lockyer Valley, but we need financial assistance & support to get this up and running.
The Saddle Academy is a specialised training initiative developed by Bootstraps, focused on preserving traditional saddle-making skills while creating real pathways to skilled trade work.
Participants won’t just sit in a classroom, they’ll learn through hands-on experience, mentorship, & real production work. The program is designed to: Teach practical, transferable skills; Create pride in craftsmanship; Support sustainable, long-term outcomes
The Saddle Academy will operate as a paid traineeship, with participants working toward a formal qualification, Certificate III in Leather Production (Saddlery). This ensures the skills gained are recognised, transferable well beyond the program itself, create real opportunities for learning, employment & connection to meaningful work. This is education with a purpose.
To bring the Saddle Academy to life, our goal is to raise $1.5 million to establish and operate it as a long-term, sustainable training program.
Reaching this goal will enable: A fully fitted, dedicated workshop; Ongoing program delivery; Long-term investment in equipment & facilities; Broader access to training opportunities.
With the support of investors, donors, & our wider community, we’re confident we can make this vision a reality & kick it off this year. If you’d like to be part of building something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s preserve the craft. Let’s create opportunity. Let’s build the future of Australian saddlery.
To find out more: https://bootstraps.org.au/the-saddle-academy/
To Donate: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3567897 or https://gofund.me/2da0e26b9
The Saddle Academy trains artisans in traditional Australian saddlery while supporting community wellbeing and sustainable local manufacturing.
