It has been some time since the Animus last stood in anything resembling a settled state of presentation. Not simply in terms of design, but in the way we present ourselves outwardly, how we catalogue, how we archive, and how we allow others to pass through the spaces we have built.
The old site, in all its iterations, carried us through years of rapid change. It bore the weight of shifting priorities, evolving narratives, and the occasional necessity of simply keeping pace with events as they unfolded faster than they could be properly recorded. Over time, however, it became increasingly clear that what we had built was no longer sufficient for what we had become.
This new site is not a departure from that history, but a continuation of it under more stable conditions. A restructuring rather than a reinvention. The same records remain, though now they are housed with greater clarity and intention. Navigation has been simplified not to diminish complexity, but to ensure it can be found when needed. Sections have been reordered to better reflect how the organisation now understands itself, rather than how it once had to improvise its structure.
There is a tendency, in moments like this, to describe change in dramatic terms. To declare transformation complete, or to suggest that what came before has been left behind. That is not the case here. What we have done is quieter than that. We have taken what has accumulated over time—pages, fragments, histories, announcements, and operational records—and given them a framework that can hold what comes next without collapsing under its own weight.
To those who have been with us through each iteration of this space, you will recognise familiar elements, even if they now sit in different places. To those arriving for the first time, this is as good a place as any to begin understanding what The Animus is and has been.
We will continue to refine, adjust, and expand as required. That has never changed.
Welcome to the new site.
LLAP
Canberra -Australian Capital Territory 22/5/26
On the evening of 22 May 2026, Captain Ross Manuel, Lieutenant Commander Terry Scott, Lieutenant David Slaney and the newly promoted Brevet Ensign Aysha Queale trekked out to Dendy Cinemas inside the Canberra Centre to observe recent historical developments originating from a long time ago, and a galaxy far, far away…
Prior to entering the cinema complex, the away team made First Contact with a large scale representation of Grogu, reportedly measuring five-metres in height. The encounter was peaceful, though extensive photographic documentation was made, after which we proceeded to the cinema.
The screening of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau, commenced shortly thereafter following its Australian release (technically it started while we were still in line).
From an observational standpoint, the film was enjoyable, though it often felt like it had been assembled from multiple episodic stories rather than a single continuous narrative. You could almost see the individual “episodes” underneath it all, each with its own tone and objective, stitched together into a feature-length mission, though the consensus was that Grogu was and always is, adorable.
Following completion of the screening, the away team proceeded to a post-mission debrief over Italian at Via Dulce. The consensus was that, while the structure of the mission occasionally felt segmented, it was nonetheless an enjoyable deployment overall, particularly when experienced as part of a shared crew outing.
On the evening of 5 June Captain Ross Manuel, CPO Ian Windolf and Midshipman Aidan Windolf gathered online for the chapter's regular game night — and what would prove to be its last on a Friday, with sessions moving to Wednesdays going forward.
The crew logged into Star Trek Online's Summer Event, which as always arrives in the Southern Hemisphere at the height of winter. The evening opened on Risa, collecting Lohlunat Favors through the planet's seasonal activities, before the crew turned to Task Force Operations to secure marks for both the chapter Starbase and Midshipman Windolf's Omega Task Force set upgrades. Connectivity issues affected both Windolfs toward the end of the session, but significant progress was made before the crew stood down at around 2200 hours.
Game night continues every Wednesday. All crew are welcome.
During May, the USS Animus marked IDAHOBIT; the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, a day dedicated to raising awareness of discrimination and violence facing LBGTQIA+ communities around the world.
Across Australia and globally, LBGTQIA+ people continue to experience prejudice and harm simply for being themselves. This observance serves as an important reminder for the need for respect, understanding and inclusion within both our wider communities and our own.
The officers and crew of the USS Animus acknowledge this day in alignment with the guiding philosophy of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. IDIC reflects a core principle of Star Trek: that diversity is not only to be accepted, but valued as a source of strength.
As this newsletter issue is being released in June, we also recognise PRIDE Month. To our LBGTQIA+ crewmembers and wider community, we see you, we love you, we respect you, you are always welcome here.
Be proud of who you are.
LLAP
During May, the USS Animus marked International Nurses Day, an annual observance recognising the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of nurses and midwives around the world.
While many professions contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, nurses are often those who stand at the forefront of care; providing comfort, advocacy, and expertise during some of the most difficult moments in a person's life. Their work is frequently demanding, often unseen, and always deserving of recognition.
The observance holds particular significance aboard the Animus, where members of our crew have served within the nursing profession and continue to exemplify the values of service, compassion, and commitment to others.
On behalf of the officers and crew of the USS Animus, we extend our thanks to all nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals for the care they provide every day.
We salute your service.
| EVENT | WHEN | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Geek Expo: Wagga | 29 Aug 2026 | The Range Function Centre, Wagga |
Thank you for being part of the USS Animus.
As we approach our tenth year as a community, I am continually reminded that chapters are not built from websites, uniforms, displays, or even starships. They are built from people. Every convention attended, every game night hosted, every away mission undertaken, and every friendship formed has helped shape what the Animus has become.
Whether you've served aboard since the earliest days of the Shuttle Animus or joined us only recently, thank you for sharing part of your journey with us.
I look forward to seeing where the next chapter of our story takes us.
Until next month,