27 June 2025

Weekly Dispatch 27th June 2025

 Hello Friday!!!

Another week of Amazing Quilts and Laundry Bags being sent off to our ADF pers!!

I think we can all agree, a great display of quilts and laundry bags, yet again from our amazing volunteers....

Please enjoy!!!

🌟 🌟 🌟

This week we dispatched 12 Quilts which takes our yearly total to 398 and our grand total to 17,200!!

We dispatched 14 Laundry Bags which takes our yearly total to 685 and our grand total is 36,876!!

Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers, embroidery by Joan B, quilted by Philomena H

Cathie J

Cheryl F

Donated quilt top, embroidery by Joan B and quilted by Philomena H

Jacqui D

Jacqui D

Jo H

Joy H

Karen R

Karen R

Lynn F, embroidery by Joan B, quilted by Philomena H

Marilyn S

Ruth S

Ruth S

Ruth S

Ruth S

Ruth S

Ruth S

Sally R

Sally R

Shirley D

Bec W

Bev L and quilted by Philomena H

Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers, embroidery by Joan B, quilted by Philomena H

Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers, embroidery by Joan B, quilted by Philomena H

Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers, quilted by Alison C, embroidery by Joan B with Bev F
πŸ§΅πŸ¦˜πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ΊπŸͺ‘

24 June 2025

Grati-Tuesday 24th June 2025

         

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Once again we are on our last blog for the month. I swear it was only Easter last week. Next we will be on the countdown to Christmas. LOL

We have a few messages and photos this week so grab a cuppa, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

AHQ Thank You Dinner is only 123 sleeps! 
Don't forget to buy your tickets. 

***

Dear Sheena B, 


The quilt you made for me has turned up and I love it! The mix of sandy browns and coastal blues is great and gives off the coastal vibe I was imagining.  The palm trees top it all off!  I love the Rising Sun badge in the middle, it is very cool.  Thank you for all the effort you put into making it. The detail like the piping around the edge and swirly stitching give a great look.  The back fabric is also cool.


I'm actually quite excited to have a quilt from back in Australia for the rest of the trip.  It's a nice reminder of home and certainly adds some character to the room which can get a bit drab.


Thank you also for the snacks, they are going down a treat, and the letter.  It sounds like you get out on a few adventures too which is neat.  My wife and I have moved around a bit while in Defence and lived in Sydney for a couple of years too. We were in Gymea in the Shire and were also close to the beaches and a national park.  We miss the location but certainly not the traffic.  We have done a spell in Brisbane and are now in Canberra with our two young children 7 & 4.  We hope to take them on some over seas adventures next year - maybe to Fiji.



  ***

Dear Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers,

I write to thank you and all the other stitchers and quilters who helped make the beautiful quilt for my son.  He has been doing it tough health wise for some years now and I know that he will be pleased to know that there are people who are grateful for his service. 

Nambucca Heads is a lovely place. I have fond memories of childhood holidays at the Hungry Head campground. 

Thank you for all you do.  Be assured, you a making a difference and it is really appreciated.

Yours sincerely,


   ***

Dear Pennie T, 

Thank you for making me such a special quilt. I feel extremely privileged to have received it and I am very grateful for the time and effort you have taken to make it.  It has captured my memories of the Sinai perfectly and will be cherished.


In my excitement I immediately snapped a photo to send my wife who, like me, was amazed that there are people out there who give their time so generously. She was as impressed by your work as I was. So please know it will hold a special place in our home when I am back in Australia.


Thank you for everything you do to suppost us when we are far away from home. I hope you know that we greatly appreciate the work you do and that the quilts you make become important memories from our deployments that will last us a lifetime.


Your sincerely

 ***

Good Afternoon Clarissa L,

 

I am writing to let you know that, the laundry bag you created with care has found a new home with me. I am incredibly grateful to you, and the other members that put it time to bring a little bit of light to ADF members such as myself.

 

I am a dog handler with ADF, whilst reading your letter and hearing about the black Lab that is “not so helpful for the garden” brings me joy. I know very well how playful they are, and how much mischief they get up to. Maybe we can look at purchasing some of your quilts (small) for supporting the furry companions the we work with.

Recently we had an dog within the cell pass away due to cancer. When he was laid to rest he was with a blanket that his handler used for him whilst deployed, along with other memorabilia from his time.

 

I also have a daughter, she is turning three in September and is the world to me. I hope the world will become a better place by the time she is of an age when she understands more about the world. But I look forward to giving her the best opportunities for success as we traverse what lays ahead.

 

To the best of my knowledge I am the first member in my family to serve but I sincerely thank you, and your family for everything that they went through to assist other families in need during times of incredible hardship.

 

Be sure to pass on my thanks to all the people that also help to create these incredible gifts to help out soldiers. They indeed boost morale and helps bring a little bit of home back into thoughts.

 

Best of wishes, and many thanks,

 

 ***

Dear Cheryl F,

The laundry bag you have lovingly made for me has finally arrived. It is wonderful.

I have taken it into Syria and Israel onto the Observation Posts, where the images of poppies, space, the beautifully embroidered Army and UNTSO logo brings a smile to my face every time I see your beautiful art work. 

Great to hear you have family in the ADF too, I hope to cross paths with them one day. You do a lot for the community between Aussie Hero Quilts, Meals on Wheels and Royal Flying Doctor - you are a wonderful person.

Over the last 96 hours or so, we have had multiple ballistic missiles and drones flying over our head. Lots of bunker time and time for self-reflection. In times like this, seeing a piece of home really does brightening my day and I wanted to let you know that.

Sorry that I have taken so long to write back, the packages are all going to Lebanon before making its way to Israel. A few of my colleagues have also started to receive packages, and hopefully will be in touch soon.

The work you do is truly wonderful - from the bottom of my heart, thank you.


Kind Regards, 

 ***

Dear Ann S,


I felt so blessed to receive not only a quilt, but also a very heartfelt letter from you. Thank you for all your time and efforts in making a quilt for me and for the many others you have made to support the Australian Defence Force community.


Thank you for sharing the story about your father's service.  It would have been tough on your family, and I am grateful for his service to have the beautuiful country we live in today.  I have travelled quite a lot overseas and while there are some magnificient places, there is nowhere like Australia. Thank you for taking the time to explain the importance of these sacrifices to your grandchildren; Australia's future leaders.  Not everyone gets this opporutnity and understanding, but it is beneficial for the Australian Defence Force to have this community support. While I was posted to Perth for nine months last year, I volunteered at the local Army Cadet unit on Wednesday nights in Rockingahm.  It was great to have a similar opportunity to share my experiences and see the development in the young people there.


I was pleased to read that you started with Aussie Hero Quilts in 2018, as that was around the same time I joined the Australian Army.  I started in 2017 at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra after finishing high school in 2016.  After three years of completeing my military training and university degree, I undertook a year of training at the Royal Militaru College-Duntroon, which is also in Canberra. ADFA and Duntroon are open bases, and you should drive through and have a look if you can. The lookout at Mount Pleasant is one of the best views in Canberra and you can also see the original Scottish Homestead, Duntroon Castle, which is now the Officers' Mess, as well as Changi Chapel that was rebuilt in Australia after World War II and the grave of the founder of Royal Military College, General Bridges, who was unfortunately killed at Gallipoli.


I am a Royal Australian Corps of Transport Officer by trade; however, I am on a bit of a different pathway at the moment.  I am remaining in the Australian Army, however in preparation for the new landing craft that the Australian Army is purchasing, I have been undertaking the two year Maritime Warfare Officers' Course with the Royal Australian Navy.  In simple words, we drive the ship!  I started in January last year and have moved from Darwin to Perth, to Sydney, back to Darwin and now for the last six months of the year back to Sydney. While this much moving in a short space of time is not normal (usualy two year postings for Army Officers), I have seen a lot of amazing places and learned a lot.  Through my training, I was posted to a Patrol Boat, HMAS Bathurst and we conducted several border patrols in support of Operation Resolute, which also put us in contact with Aussie Hero Quilts. As you can see, I am on the move quite a bit, and now your quilt will join me in many adventures at home and abroad. It is a great size to travel with!  I will also be one of the first commanders of the new Army vessels, and your quilt will be very proudly used on one of the first vessels, which will have many years of sea service to follow.


It was great reading that your granddaughter recently went on the Young Endeavour. At the time of writing this, it is my last few days in Darwin before I move to Sydney for six months to finish off my course, but the Young Endeavour just pulled into Darwin on its current lap around Australia.  It is such a great opportunity. Medicine is an excellent, but challenging pathway.  I wish her all the best! Jervis Bay is a beautiful area, and I was there for an exercise in 2018. Safe travels to the parade. 


I have a strong connection with Australian country towns, having grown up in Toowoomba, Queensland.  That is most certainly where my love of horses came from and we are very excited to be hosting the equestrian for the 2032 Olympics.  My family breeds Arabian horses, but I also love Stock horses and I am very glad your family loves horses too.  With so much work travel, I just do not feel right moving a horse all around with me, but any time I am on leave at home or get a chance, I will be out riding like your family.  It is great to take your mind off work.  I spend about six months in a course in Albury-Wodonga in 2021 and travelled all throughout Victoria and New South Wales on the weekends, and Young is amazing horse country!


Again, I sincerely appreciate your time and effort to make a quilt for me and I will treasure it.

Kind regards


 ***

Good Morning Heather B,

 

Apologies on the delayed response. But I did indeed receive my Quilt and absolutely love it! You did an amazing job, the bright colourful quilt brightens my room and its brings me a lot of joy and I’m glad that making it brought you joy to. As you can probably see in the picture! I do really enjoying getting our goodies from Aussie Heros and getting to read the letters from the amazing volunteers like yourself who put in the effort to bring us some joy. Also the tim tams were amazing one of the most exciting things to receive in a care package.

I do have 2 little nieces back home who I am sure will also love this quilt when they come to visit me once I’m back home.

 

It’s awesome to hear your connection to Defence. I myself have very minimal family connection to Defence, I grew up in a small country town in South Australia and decided joining the Army would be a good way to get out and see Australia and the world and am very grateful for the opportunity I have had.

 

I’m glad to hear you were not too badly affected by the tropical cyclone, would have been a bit of a nerve wracking time. And I hope you’re out enjoying your swimming.

 

Thank you


***


Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  Tuesdays would be so totally boring without them!


Cheers Bel P

πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–πŸ’–

23 June 2025

Request List 23 June 25


Hi all

How good is this photo, sent to us by the very busy HMAS Canberra with some of the random laundry bags we gave them. Can you see yours? The photo came with some words of thanks

“From our team to yours, thank you. Your time and effort brightens our day - one load, one smelly sock, one grey t-shirt at a time! Until next time, take care.”




Please note that I will be at the Craft and Quilt Fair in Sydney all day Thursday til Sunday so I may be a bit slow answering emails those days. Do stop by and say hello if you come to the show!

 

PRIORITIES

As always, the requests are listed in priority order. We just received a new batch of request from the Middle East.  The first 17 are for folk on deployment overseas so obviously we would like to get these requests completed. Post can be so unreliable to some of our overseas locations so it can take a while to get parcels to them so the sooner they are in the mail the better.

All the rest of our requests are listed in priority order. Please let me know if you can help.

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 27 July 25 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

Deers, bears and forest themed please. I like to go hunting.

M

Q

1

Light pinks, blues and greens. Flowers and cats

F

Q

2

The Big Things Australia has e.g. the Big Prawn in Ballina. Matt Scullion has a great song "Big" that names a lot of them for inspiration. If you could combine that with a centralised image or the like of Mt Warning/Tweed river. My family would like to visit many of these and the Tweed area is our home (Mt Warning is iconic to the area)        

M

Q

3

Essendon Bombers / Anzac Day

M

LB

4

Greens and blues please. My interests are sport (tennis and running), cooking, and coffee.

M

Q

5

Half of the quilt with Disney princesses for my daughter, the other half of the quilt with diggers, trucks and cranes for my son.

M

Q

6

All things Japanese.
Snoopy and Doraemon.
Favourite colours are purple, green and grey.
Wants to share with his pregnant wife when he gets home.

M

Q

7

Wests Tigers logo and colours on the bag with an Australian Flag somewhere on it as well. Many Thanks

M

LB

8

A simple quilt of dark greens please. Some plant themes would be appreciated, lush jungle or rainforest leaves. Much appreciated, thank you.

M

Q

9

A quilt with a Persian rug pattern in the colour navy please. Thank you very much for your time.

M

Q

10

Pink quilt with white trim. A butterfly with purple and white wings in the two bottom corners of the quilt, and a big brown teddy bear in the centre of the quilt with the following text "Blessed be the child who sleeps under this quilt, for they are loved"  

M

Q

11

Khaki coloured with a large Australian flag and the surname in capital letters

M

LB

12

Taylor Swift Eras tour themed - each album its own space

F

Q

13

Simple black design all things Australia - koalas, kangaroo, Weetabix, vegemite etc,

F

LB

14

Colourful dessert theme (cakes, sundae, tarts etc.)

M

Q

15

Night Sky theme

M

LB

16

Orientation of design will be horizontal/landscape. Sides of quilts boarder small Australian Flags. A large cartoon styled map of Australia with all of the prominent icons for each area depicted, i.e. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/naya_hachi/4507244244) This image is great.

M

Q

17

Shades of pink and black
Sydney Swans AFL,
Dancing,
Family (we have a photo)

F

Q

18

Rising Sun, Green and Blue, Cape Solander crest, Harley Davidson motorcycles
(we can provide the Rising Sun and Crest and a Harley Davidson Embroidery)

M

Q

19

Invictus Games theme - Rising Sun
red and white, Canadian, winter, snow flakes

F

Q

20

Wolverine and the X-Men theme

M

Q

21

Royal Australian Navy Themed in navy blue.
We can provide the RAN crest

M

Q

22

1990's Toyota Hilux theme

M

Q

23

SpongeBob

M

Q

24

Oklahoma City Thunder (US National Basketball Team)

M

Q

25

Rottweiler dogs and Police sirens

M

Q

26

Carlton Football Club and Canberra Raiders theme (colours, logos etc)

M

Q

27

Black and Red with Crossed Swords

M

Q

28

Navy crest with job position under it,
Cape Solander crest,
Old warships,
Philadelphia Eagles (US NFL team),
McLaren F1
(we can provide the RAN crest with text under it, as well as the Cape Solander Crest)

M

Q

29

Star Wars (the Dark Side), Red & Black

M

Q

30

Brisbane Broncos (NRL)

M

Q

31

Star Wars (the Mandalorian)

M

Q

32

Brisbane Broncos (NRL)

M

Q

33

Trucks & 4WD

M

Q

34

Brisbane Broncos

F

B

35

North Queensland Cowboys

M

Q

36

Ships, Guns, Helicopters, money, Navy White Ensign, RAN crest
We can provide the RAN crest and Ensign

M

Q

37

Navy theme, blue with ships and images from Invictus games
(we can provide the images and the Navy crest)

M

Q

38

Dark Blue RAN themed ( Guns or ships ) with White Ensign
We can provide the RAN crest and white ensign

M

Q

39

Jabba the Hutt (Star Wars)

M

Q

40

Navy Themed - RAN crest, and HMAS Bathurst crest 
We can provide the two crests

M

Q

41

Pirates of the Caribbean

M

Q

43

Navy Themed - RAN crest, and HMAS Bathurst crest 
We can provide the two crests"

M

Q

44

Demon Slayer

M

B

45

Navy Themed - RAN crest, and HMAS Bathurst crest 
We can provide the two crests"

M

Q

46

Scuba/Ships diver theme,  FFH silhouette, "FFH 156" in text, Purple and Yellow colours, HMAS Toowoomba crest
(FFH 156 easily appliqued. We can provide a Dive helmet and RAN crest, HMAS Toowoomba crest and possibly a dive crest)

M

LB

47

Gold/Purple, sunset, FFH silhouette, FFH 156 in text
(FFH 156 easily appliqued and we can provide the Toowoomba crest)

M

LB

48

Green, Tan and brown colours. Shrek and friends

M

LB

49

Monkeys, black and gold theme

M

LB

50

Fighter Jets and MH-60R helicopters, Yellow back ground

F

LB

51

Green / with Groot, Shrek, Mike Wazowski. Hulk, Grinch, Kermit the Frog, Yoda

LB

52

Joker and Bane themed

M

LB

53

Australian rugby union team

M

LB

54

Night sky and Fourth Wing (book by Rebecca Yarros) with initials in purple on the back

F

LB

55

Warhammer 40K Black Templar Space Marine Black and White theme

M

LB

56

Blue, White and grey. Initials 'XXX' on the front. 'Boats AB' written underneath the initials. A white monster drink. A scuba diver. A RHIB boat

M

LB

57

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Queensland Reds

M

Q

58

KFC and Guinness beer/ Guinness Toucans

M

LB

59

Guinness Toucans

M

Q

60

Garfield theme

M

Q

61

UFC Fighter (We have an image to print of fabric for inclusion)

M

Q

62

South Sydney Rabbitohs (NRL team)

M

LB

63

Slush Puppy theme

M

B

64

cartoon Dinosaur theme

M

Q

65

Roger Ramjet on a dark Navy Blue Background.
(can send a picture for inspiration)

M

Q

66

Scooby doo themed with pastels with initials in lilac

F

LB

67

Plants and forest

F

Q

68

Baby blue/pink/yellow, aqua, white, beige colours 
Beach/ocean, horses, sunflowers, dolphins, palm trees, mountains, skiing, scuba diving, gym, coffee, travelling

F

B

69

Rising Sun, Medical Corps badge, Army themed. Medical related (doctor). Australian and UK flag. (We can provide the Rising Sun, Medical corps badge and the UK Flag)

M

Q

70

Australian Shepherd dogs/puppies. Merle coloured dogs preferred (Green/Blue) 

F

B

71

Light green with capybaras

M

Q

72

North Queensland Cowboys NRL

M

Q

73

Gold Coast Suns related (Red/Yellow) or John Deere (Green/Yellow)

M

Q

74

Land Before Time, Dinosaurs

F

Q

75

Paw Patrol

M

Q

76

St Georges Illawarra Dragons 

M

LB

77

Bluey ABC Kids show

M

Q

78

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marines

M

Q

79

Poseidon defending a sail ship from a kraken

M

Q

81

Purples, Cats quilt block, Nurse/Medic

F

Q

82

Moby Dick, Blue Finn Tuna

M

Q

82

Diablo 4

M

LB

83

Magic the gathering mana symbols

M

Q

84

Ancient Greek ships sailing across the waters with Poseidon

M

B

85

The Goonies’ Movie

M

LB

86

Bear in the big blue house TV show

M

Q

87

Formula 1 (McLaren preferred)

M

LB

88

Thomas the Tank Engine 

M

Q

89

Samurai, Pirates

M

LB

90

Not too feminine, Army photographer who likes Army helicopters (Chinooks, MRH-90), the beach/ocean, nature, Australia. Initials XXX

F

B

91

Army photographer,
Landscape construction, excavator,
loves cooking dishes with Middle East influence
colour – blue,
love sunset and sunrise, and love coffee

M

B

92

Star wars, Navy, colourful, vintage, Floral please.

F

B

93

green and beige neutrals with vines, leaves, etc. please!

F

B

94

daisy or sunflowers on a neutral background

F

Q

95

camping / caravaning orientated

F

Q

96

Writing, travel, ocean, sunsets, Navy, initials XXX

F

B

97

Rising Sun, AAPRS Badge,
Neutral colours (beige, white, and Army greens)
Australian Army theme, enjoys writing
(We can provide the Rising Sun and AAPRS Badge)

F

B

98

Initials on quilt, photography, outdoors, camping, beach, NO PINK

F

Q

99

RAN crest, Navy photographer, seascape/sunset theme (We can provide the RAN crest)

F

B

100