Stories from our first responder community
Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the mental fitness and wellbeing of first responder families. Every day, more than 300,000 first responders keep our communities safe. They are backed up by their families: partners, children and parents. All of them hold vital and challenging roles. We help them to be well, and stay well, through mental fitness, support services and wellbeing activities. These are their stories.
A virtual activity that takes the biscuit! | Virtual Activity Wrap Up
Fortem has been successfully offering virtual cooking classes as a wellbeing activity for first responder families, with the most recent class focusing on Greek Easter Biscuits. These classes are a
On a roll with Ten Pin Bowling! | Canberra Region Activity Wrap Up
Ten Pin Bowling is always such a family-friendly fun activity, and our first responder families thoroughly enjoyed spending time together trying to get a strike! A great way to be
Wellbeing with Watercolour Painting | Canberra Region Activity Wrap Up
Fortem recently invited first responder families to a Watercolour Painting for Mindfulness workshop held at Lanyon Homestead. It was a beautiful setting where our group bonded over the experience and
It’s a jungle in here! Indoor plant masterclass | Bega Valley Region Activity Wrap Up
Fortem recently invited first responder families to an Indoor Plant Masterclass in the Bega Valley region. This wellbeing activity was a laid back evening, learning the basics of indoor plant
Creating connection with clay & conversation | Canberra Region Activity Wrap Up
Fortem recently invited first responder families to a Make a Pinch Pot Tea Bowl workshop, which was part of the Wellbeing Workshop series held at Lanyon Homestead. The historic homestead
Perfect waves for beginners at the family surfing lesson | Gold Coast Region Activity Wrap Up
In late March our first responder families experienced another exciting Gold Coast wellbeing activity. The monthly family surfing lesson was an opportunity to meet new people and hang out with
It’s a long way to the top! Centenary Trail Walking Group March | Canberra Region Activity Wrap Up
The Centenary Trail Walking Group met on a Saturday morning recently to tackle another section of the trail on the northern side of Canberra. An enthusiastic group of 10 took
Roar and Snore. A wild adventure! | Illawarra Region Activity Wrap Up
At the end of March Fortem Australia held an overnight stay at Taronga Zoo as an amazing wellbeing activity for first responder families. It was an opportunity to connect and
A beautiful afternoon to make scented candles | Illawarra Region Activity Wrap Up
At the end of March Fortem Australia hosted a candle making workshop in the Illawarra region, with first responder families coming along to enjoy an afternoon of candle making with
Tathra Strong Community Gathering | Bega Valley Community Engagement
What an incredible day at the Tathra Strong community event that Fortem was honoured to be a part of! On Saturday 6th March, the local community was treated to a
Making the mystery box into an amazing Italian dinner! | Gold Coast Region Activity Wrap Up
A fantastic culinary experience was the basis of this wellbeing activity, as Fortem Australia hosted an Italian Cooking Class on the Gold Coast. Our first responder families enjoyed an evening
Making Friends with Martials Arts | Canberra Region Activity Wrap Up
Our wellbeing activities are about more than just learning a new skill or being active, they are also a great way to build social connections. During a recent Martial Arts
