Forge Through was a great journey of discovering knife forging utilising gas as a source of heat and good old hammer and anvil to shape the steel. I learned that forging is quite a long procedural process, one that requires each step to be completed precisely before proceeding to the next. I found myself chasing perfection and immersed in each step trying to create the perfect knife. The end result was astonishing and far exceeded my expectations. I would like to thank Zero79 for giving me this amazing opportunity to experience such a fine ancient skill that only few possess.

The Forge Through Program was useful to me in three main ways. First it was the social aspect. Being around good people is what made our job amazing and getting to be in a similar environment again whilst learning a new skill set was really nice. Second was learning a new skill. One of the things I missed about my career was always learning something new. Third was the transformation aspect which I wasn’t expecting. Taking something that had been discarded and turning it into something useful again really resonated with me. I would like to say a massive thanks to the Zero79 Foundation for organising and getting us all on the Forge Through program. I really appreciate the work and funding that went in to having all four of us there.

Attending the recent Brisbane Zero79 event with my partner was a really enjoyable night. A heartfelt thank you to the foundation for orchestrating such an enjoyable evening, selecting a happening venue, and fostering connections among partners of both serving and retired unit members. It's incredibly refreshing to feel this support, especially considering the challenges that often extend beyond life in the unit. Grateful to see the partners considered and I will encourage other spouses to get along to future events. Thanks again.