Tuesday 19 March 2024

Grati-Tuesday 19 March 2024

 

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Another week of great messages and photos. 

Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy some well deserved gratitude!

...

Good Morning Ruth S,

I would like to say a huge thank you for the amazing laundry bag that you have put together for me. I am extremely appreciative of the effort that you put in for my laundry bag even though you are a very staunch Power supporter. I understand that this could have been one of the more difficult projects just based on the fact that I am a Pies supporter…ha…ha
We are all mad Collingwood/Pies supporters in our house, as I have been since I was very young, something that I inherited.

I have completed 26 years in the Airforce and as we know it is not just an individual but a family commitment when a member is part of defence. We have 4 kids still at home who keep us extremely busy but they are all good kids. These little mementos and gifts always serve as reminder of our time in defence but also the support that we have in the ADF.

Thank you again for the time and effort that you put in to making these bags. I know that when we are away, they always stand out and sometimes are a good conversation starter in the laundries. I know everyone that has received one is extremely grateful.
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect gift.

Kind regards,
 
...
Hilary P recently met her recipient and his wife at the Blacktown Workers club. She gave him his quilt and pointed out the embroideries of his three Services. He joined the Navy as a very young man and then moved to the Army. He was heavily involved in teaching for most of his career. He finally moved on to the Airforce where he finished his career. After this he was a Pastor at the Childrens Hospital at Westmead and at a Psychiatric Centre. He was also involved with the St Matthews Parish in Windsor and Richmond. His Airforce base was at Richmond also. He was very appreciative of the quilt and a few passersby also complimented our efforts. I think he is rather unique, having served in all three services. We had a chatty lunch, some interesting stories about family life. He was most appreciative, it makes it all worthwhile to see such gratitude.


...

CHAP Ricky was able to present this recipient with his quilt recently. As luck would have it, the quilt was made by Fran T, Chaplain Ricky's wife!  We were told that the recipient was blown away by the quilt and the love and thoughts of the people who helped to make it happen.

Quilt by Fran T, embroideries by Inge C

...

Hello Ellen N

Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt that you made for me. I love it!!!

 The letter that you sent was wonderful to read.

Unlike your family, I am the first to serve this country and do so with pride. Opening the package was a real treat and put a huge smile on my face. The rest of my team were likewise touched by the time and effort and also the real thought put into making our wonderful gifts.

 

Thank you again for all the care and time you put into it

Cheers

...

Kirsten (Bindy) O,

 

I have received your quilt and I’m very happy with your intricate work.

 

Just reading over your letter, we have probably spent close to the same time in Service, perhaps even crossed each other’s paths. I joined as a soldier in 1997 and after ten years crossed the fence to RMC and started my officer career. I feel like I’ve got a lot more to offer before I transition myself though. I really hope your transition was what you thought it should be a reflection of your outstanding Service in the ADF!

 

You seem to have achieved a lot in your time, the Defence Abuse role sounds like it would have been fairly taxing. It may not be the same, but I’ve had to look into a few cases myself which was emotionally draining, and I did end up asking for a check-up with a psychologist. Might I add it takes a lot for a guy to ask for help, but to be fair I also don’t know why that is the case…..

 

My family and I live just outside Canberra, but I’m unaccompanied in Albury normally. My family are probably not far from you actually, with my wife works as a teacher and my kids go to the same school as well (6y/o and 10y/o).

 

I’ve managed to show them all the quilt and they all love it. I’m so glad to have done it this time as my last deployment I didn’t get the opportunity. Thank you very much for your effort and thank you for your Service!     

Thanks and Regards, 

...

Hello Lois S,

I would like to thank you so much for my amazing Quilt. It will be used every night I’m at sea. As someone who sometimes spends more time at sea then at home with my wife, I would like to thank you both for your service as I know how hard it is to be a partner to a service member.  I’m also glad that you liked the movies Cars as it’s a favourite in our household and always reminds me of home. 

...

Good Afternoon Lynn K

I am so sorry it has been so delayed. I just wanted to pass on my thanks for my laundry bag. I adore it and it is so unique and well made I am such a huge fan. I absolutely love it and thank you for your time!

Kindest Regards


(The thank you for Lynn came through Bel P who works with the recipient and she noted that the laundry bag arrived in the nick of time just before he left for his deployment to sea. They found out it was at the Naval post office at HMAS Albatross on Friday morning and he was leaving on the Sunday.  He raced to pick it up so he could pack it with his gear!)

...

Good Evening Lyn R,

 

I hope you have been well!

 

I was delighted to receive my Aussie Hero Quilt from yourself last week!

 

It sounds like we have a lot in common. I most definitely want to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary. I visited a day elephant sanctuary called Mason in Indonesia on my holidays and I loved it! But I would love to experience something like you have – sounds magical.

 

I visited Tasmania last year on my ship on a port visit. I liked it – I would like to go again for a personal holiday! I was posted to HMAS Sydney for 13months – a guided missile destroyer. It was an awesome experience, and our deployments did really make me value my job and the impact we have. A highlight was providing emergent medical assistant to an injured mariner.

Living on a ship was a very different lifestyle – so it is good to be ashore to have a good life / work balance. I am currently working as an Aide-De-Camp (essentially a special military personal assistant). The exposure to the senior leadership group in Defence is phenomenal – it has and will continue to be a very busy year.

 

Prior to joining Defence; I grew up in Far North Queensland and relocated to Brisbane to conduct my undergraduate studies at Queensland University of Technology. In my final year of my studies I was sponsored by Defence and commissioned as a Maritime Logistics Officer in the RAN. Since joining I have been posted to various locations including south east NSW coast, Melbourne, Sydney and now Canberra. I love outside activities, hiking, exercise, playing field hockey. I also am a self-acclaimed foodie – and coffee connoisseur one could say also!

 

I love that you love coffee – I agree that it is a nice social outing and definitely how I have gained my coffee obsession. I think a coffee quilt would have been loved by the many coffee lovers out there. I appreciate your time you have donated as a volunteer to AHQ – I can see how the organisation provides great joy to many Defence personnel. I actually am the one who organised / was the POC for my ship on Sydney to receive the quilts on our deployment through Jan-Maree. I was delighted that most personnel received there’s during port visits. I wish I could sew! You are very talented – I love my quilt!

 

I definitely recommend Far North QLD for the July / August period as it is a lot warmer – but Darwin sounds good!

 

I hope you are enjoying yourself (sewing, having a good cappuccino and reading) at your fishing shack! Sounds delightful!

 

Thank you again dearly for my quilt – when I go back to sea I will use the quilt. For the moment I will use it on my lounge – especially for the upcoming Canberra winters which I am nervous about being a QLD’er!

 

Best wishes.

... 


G’day Bel P,

 

Thanks once again for the gifts and laundry bag. I happened to receive it post mission and therefore was a welcome surprise after a very long day.

 

Since then, it has been a little hectic with new aircraft and visits so whilst I received your parcel early Feb it has taken me until now to make the time to say thank you.

 

I skyped the kids on the weekend and the bag was a certified hit. Absolutely superb craftsmanship. Thanks for being part of our deployment memories and bringing a spark to the kids and my lives.

...

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  

Tuesdays would be so totally boring without them!
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Monday 18 March 2024

Request List 18 March 2024

Hi All

I really love some of the historical stories you can stumble across in Defence. One such story that I shared previously on the blog was the story of Red Lead, a cat that was taken on board HMAS Perth I during the war. You can read the whole story if you click this link below but the legend of Red Lead lives on with the crew of HMAS Perth III. 

https://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/search?q=red+lead


To hide the cat she was placed in the ship’s paint cupboard. Back in those days metal ships needed to be constantly painted with a rust inhibitor called Red Lead… put a cat in the paint cupboard and you could just about guess that pretty soon the cat would tip over the paint and end up spreading the red paint around the ship in the form of paw prints.

I was lucky enough to be invited on board HMAS Perth III in 2016 when she came home from her deployment to the Middle East and I was able to see for myself the paw prints etc. 

Starting this week we welcome some laundry bag requests from crew members from HMAS Perth to our request list so it seems a great time to share this story again. 

Here is the request list for this week. Happy hunting. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy.

PRIORITY REQUESTS

We have done really well with the priority requests in the last few weeks. Well done everyone.

This week the first THIRTEEN requests are all people overseas on deployment in most of the places we support. Let’s get these quilts and bags underway and put some smiles on faces that are a long way from home!

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 22 April please, or earlier if you can manage this.  If you cannot make that date, please let me know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or the other. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know BEFORE you post it.  Also, if this time frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss, thank you.    

Request Information

When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable.  A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours but please include at least one of their interests.  It is fine to keep it simple. 

If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated….i.e. one of the following please….  There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list. 

Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there.  We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.   

A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the PMKEYS number given you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.  The PMKEYS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g.  the 7-digit number in bold below. 

CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432 

TG 3456 

AFPO XX 

ADF 

Sydney NSW 2890

Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender -  the PO Box is a safe place in the event of  any mishaps with postage. 

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) 

PO Box 248,

Cherrybrook, NSW 2126 

Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name and PMKEYS of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops.  I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring. 

If you are using an AHQ supplied prepaid satchel please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney.

Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination. 

Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you. 

Helpful info may be gleaned here  http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/2019/07/information-post-for-those-that-sew-for.html    I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off. 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.  

For example…. 

Marvel Theme. Ironman     M       LB      1 

This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request.  If you find it hard to copy and paste, please copy the line out as above.  

Decoding The Columns 

The first column is the theme or preferences requested. 

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient. 

The third column is as follows. 

B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish) 

Q= just a quilt 

LB = just a laundry bag 

F= female 

M= male 

Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions....Just email friendsofahq@gmail.com  

Looking forward to seeing what you want to make this week. Happy stitching! 

Cheers, 

Jan-Maree

P.P.S.  Don't forget to check out AHQ on the Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter


Regimental Badge, Australian Flag, Union Jack, Maltese Cross, RASIGS, Manchester United (We can provide the Regimental Badge, the RASIGs badge)

M

Q

1

Australian Flag, RASIGS, Video Games (Halo, Skyrim & Star Wars) & Technology (we can provide the RASIGs badge)

M

B

2

Rising Sun, soldier silhouettes (shadow/black), RACT badge, Poppies, Australia Flag, Dark Forest Themed  (we can provide service badges)

M

Q

3

RAAF Crest with personal details and deployment details
Wedgetail airplane silhouette on a blue background with Scales of Justice and Map/Outline of Europe.
(we can supply the crest with text, Scales of Justice and Wedgetail silhouette)

F

Q

4

North Queensland Cowboys or Wallabies Rugby Union theme would be amazing.

M

Q

5

Rising Sun, Skippy Badge,
Modern silhouette of soldier over a camo Aussie flag, (mortars) around the outside
earthy camouflage colours.
Roman numeral VI for 6RAR
MFO badge with text.
(we can provide the Rising Sun, Skippy Badge, MFO badge with text)

M

Q

6

Multinational Forces & Observers Badge with text . Colours green, orange and white.
Badger (animal) to represent the Force Protection Branch
(we can supply MFO badge and image of badger holding MFO badge)

F

Q

7

Egyptian/middle eastern themed. Sausage Dogs/ German Shepherds. With text OP MAZURKA 57A 2024 (we can provide the text if needed)

M

Q

8

anime show called "Demon Slayer" and the main characters main characters "Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke and Zenitsu. Having Each character on the quilt & bag would look cool. No idea re colour.  Maybe grey and black to be neutral?

M

Q

9

Royal Australian Armoured Corps themed
(black and chrome, with plenty of tanks)
We can provide the RAA badge and also the silhouette of the tank

M

Q

10

Australian Flag, Syrian Flag, German Shepherd, Slouch Hat (Syrian flag is easy to applique)

M

B

11

AFL/Port Adelaide, water skiing /wakeboarding, exercise.

M

Q

12

Australian Flag  with Lebanese Cedar tree (like the one on their national flag) in middle Eastern colours/patterns and themes scattered with poppy flowers and text  " OP PALADIN Jan 2024 to Jan 2025".
(we can provide the text)

M

Q

13

Navy Crest with personal details - Navy or Beach Themed.  Has a yacht named  Tango and raced Ducati motorbikes
(we can provide an embroidered Navy Crest with details)

M

Q

14

Qld State of Origin colours and emblem
-Initials-  PKT
-PMKEYS

F

LB

15

Sydney Roosters NRL Team

M

Q

16

Purple, Western Bulldogs

M

Q

17

Blue, Sydney Roosters

M

Q

18

RAN crest, Marvel / DC, 4WD / Camping, Video games
(We can supply RAN crest)

M

Q

19

Red and Blue (Newcastle Knights)
Motorsports (F1)

M

Q

20

Outdoor, Adventure

M

Q

21

Red and Black
Starwars (Siths and Darthvader)

M

Q

22

4x4 Driving Theme

M

Q

23

Airforce Crest with service details, blue/green colours. Loves guppy fish. Would also like wife and daughter's name on quilt
(we can provide an embroidered RAAF crest and names)

M

Q

24

Holden V8 Cars

M

Q

25

RAN crest HMAS Huon Crest, Maritime Mines, Navy (we can provide the crests)

M

Q

26

Submarines and Ice Hockey (we an send you some submarine fabric)

M

Q

27

RAN crest, HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, RAN Marine Technician Rate Badge Electrical,  Square Rigged sailing vessels, Sharks, Octopus, Kraken, Sea Mines, Ocean
(we can provide the White ensign, ship crest and MT-E badge)

M

B

28

RAN crest, RAN Marine Technician Rate Badge - Diesel, Rock climbing, Light blue, Nick Name
(we can provide the White ensign and MT-D badge and nick name)

M

Q

29

RAN Clearance Diver Rate Badge, Flag Alpha, shark, dive helmet, Forest green, Deadpool, Batman, Spiderman, Anime (Jujitsu kaisen, Naruto, One piece, Demon slayer, Dragon ball z, Pokemon, One punch man), Jeremiah 29:11 (Bible prayer/verse)
(we can provide the CD rate badge, we can also embroider the bible verse, flag alpha is a very simple blue and white flag)

M

B

30

HMAS Gascoyne Ship Crest, RAN Naval Police Coxswain Patch, Anime themed (Demon Slayer, Naruto)
(we can provide the ships crest, Coxswain patch and NPC patch)

M

B

31

RAN crest, HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, MTD Badge,  Kraken, Sea Mines, Ocean, Western Star Trucks, Sydney Swans, Aquaman, King Neptune
(we can provide the White ensign, ships crest and MT-D badge)

M

B

32

Brisbane Broncos themed

M

Q

33

RAN White Ensign, HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, Australian Flag, South Australian Flag, Sextant, Nautical Compass
(we can provide the White ensign, ships crest and flags)

M

B

34

HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, RAN Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Crest, Kraken, Sea Mines, Ocean, Sextant,  Transformers G1 cartoon, English Bulldog (white coat with lots of brown patches and spots named Pickles)
(we can provide the ship & MWCD crests)

M

B

35

Hunting/Camping/Fishing theme in Olive Green/Tan/Camo colours

M

Q

36

RAN White Ensign, HMAS Perth & HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crests, Nickname
Killer whale &/or Emperor Penguin, Sonar, Ocean, Nickname 'Laz', Boxing/Muay Thai, Singapore artwork/culture, Pineapple
(we can provide the White ensign, ships crests and nick name as text)

M

Q

37

Fish/sharks/ocean/waves theme in blue/green colours

M

Q

38

RAN White Ensign, HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, Mine Warfare Crest, Australian Flag, Sextant, Nautical Compass

M

Q

39

Penrith Panthers theme in Black

M

Q

40

Dragons theme in in Black and Orange Colours

M

Q

41

Cowboys theme in any colours

M

Q

42

Space theme in blue/red and black colours

F

Q

43

KFC theme in Red/white and black

M

Q

44

Mt Fuji / Japan theme in dark blue colours

M

Q

45

The Great Wave off Kanagawa theme in ocean blue colours

M

B

46

Hawaiian/hula girls theme in blue colours

M

Q

47

Cycling, Swimming & Running. Blue & red are favourite colours.

M

Q

48

Something Climbing Related (carabiners, ropes, quickdraws) with surname
(we can supply surname as text if required)

M

Q

49

Puppies

M

Q

50

Warhammer 40K

M

Q

51

Smiling shark, octopi and pineapple

M

Q

52

Ghostly cats... ie cats as ghosts!

M

Q

53

Dewalt Power Tools - Black & Yellow

M

Q

54

NRL Sharks theme

M

Q

55

Stars & Moon

F

Q

56

Newcastle Knights

M

Q

57

Marine Technician Propeller / Disney Princesses
(we can provide an image of the propeller)

M

Q

58

Sydney Roosters NRL Team / Chameleons

M

Q

59

USA NBA Basketball Team: Houston Rockets

M

B

60

World Map

M

Q

61

Bulldogs (NRL) OR Cars

M

Q

62

Boatswain Rate badge with crown

M

B

63

Brisbane Bronco on top side + NRL team logos on bottom side

M

Q

64

Gym weights / Trident / Koala / Green colour

M

Q

65

Surfing / Cycling / Diving (We can provide a dive helmet)

M

Q

66

Anything Diver related & Koala (We can provide a dive helmet)

M

B

67

Rising Sun with text, Infantry /Skippy Badge themed - Dark earthy, green, black tones
(we can supply the Rising Sun and Skippy Badge)

M

Q

68

Small Rising Sun with first name only. Beach, camping, reading, Belgian Malinois. Blue and Yellow. (we can supply the rising sun with name)

F

B

69

Star Wars Themed

M

Q

70

Boatswain Mate Themed
(we can supply the BM badge)
(Boatswains in the Navy specialise in small arms and close-range weapons, handling and  driving small boats, anchor work, berthing and towing and general maintenance of the ship).

M

LB

71

Kite Surfing Theme

M

LB

72

Power Puff Girls

F

LB

73

Pineapples

M

Q

74

RAAF crest with text
Australian outback country themed, ie. gum trees, Aussie stockman, camping style
(we can provide the crest with text)

M

Q

75

Sunflower Theme

M

Q

76

Pink and Rainbow Theme

M

Q

77

Vibrant bright colours, sea shells, starts, sea animals

F

LB

78

Dinosaur Theme

M

B

79

Cartoon (Tom and Jerry)

M

Q

80

Blackhawk, chinook, Iroquois

F

Q

81

Red/Blue. Hobbies are baseball and fishing.

M

LB

82

Green/Blue. Hobbies are surfing and fishing.

M

LB

83

Animal themed (Dogs, Cats, Pandas, Tigers)

F

LB

84

Blue/Grey - Halo (video game)

M

LB

85

Black/yellow - Animal themed

M

LB

86

Black - BIG Pineapples

M

LB

87

Purple - Ponies, Rainbows, Stars  (My Little Pony Theme)

M

LB

88

Pink - Pony's, Rainbows, Stars (My Little Pony Theme)

M

LB

89

Nissan GQ Patrols (4WD vehicle)

M

LB

90

Blue/Black - Space/Sci Fi Theme

M

LB

91

Purple pastel type colours with busy Bees on it

M

LB

92

Black /Blue - Star Wars

M

LB

93

Blue/Gold - Beach Theme

F

LB

94

Pink/ Light blue - Peppa Pig Theme

M

LB

95

Pink/Navy blue- Navy/Ship theme/anchors/Bluey (cartoon)

F

LB

96

Blue/Orange - Star Wars (Clone troopers), Formula 1, Fortnite

M

LB

97

Black/Orange - Rowing

M

LB

98

Vibrant bright colours, Caravanning and Camping

M

LB

99

Pokémon and Star wars

F

LB

100