04 November 2025

Aussie Hero Quilts Annual Thank You Weekend - ADFA Tour by Jo H

In 2018, I toured ADFA & wrote a blog. J-M asked me to write another one for this year and this was a marked difference to the previous one. This time we focussed on the Cadets and their time in ADFA. Our Tour Leader was ADFA trainee officer and activity co-organizer 2nd Year Officer Cadet Sienna.  Also accompanying us was Flight Lieutenant D.

On Friday afternoon about 25 AHQ associates gathered beneath the Tree of Knowledge at the Australian Defence Force Academy.  We were greeted by several Cadets from each of the 3 Services – ready and willing to interact with us. As we chatted & exchanged stories, their enthusiasm and confidence were encouraging and enlightening.

 Program

1310-1340 Over Water Obstacle Course Display

1350-1420 Living In Accommodation Tour

1430-1450 Precision Drill Team Display

Sienna emphasised that this Academy is for students who are studying University courses as well as undertaking training, drills and learning about life in the military. Approx. 900 trainee officers are studying each year - Army, Navy and Air Force. Friday was their last day this year with exams in 2 weeks. As well as studying, there are also a variety of activities on offer – from Rugby, AFL, swimming, lawn bowls to Caving & Canyoning.

The Over the Water Obstacle Course was fascinating. Cadets are in their full kits and challenge themselves to complete the course, with the final challenge of ‘heaves’ from a suspended “Red Cone”. As each person attempts this, everyone calls out the count. One cadet managed 7 but 23 is the record so far. The drenched cadets joined us and were excited about showing us how it is done & their desire to improve each time.

Obstacle course













Watching the Cadets on the water obstacle course



















Group Physical Instructor

SQNLDR Samantha  emphasized that all cadets participate in Physical fitness - regardless of the Service they are in. It is a huge component of their work and it is positive to see the support they give each other as well as the thrill of meeting a challenge. Physical Fitness is assessed once or twice a quarter.

We moved on to the accommodation of the cadets at 22 Division, in Foxtrot Squadron which is a 1st Year Division. 1st Year cadets are divided male/female but in 2nd & 3rd years it is mixed. The three services are spread over in each block and mixed in with different years.

Outside the accommadation blocks










Rooms are small and tidy! They are inspected each Friday. Clothes are washed and ironed by cadets, shoes highly polished– very impressive! Very different from teenagers in civilian life. We were delighted that cadets had allowed us to see into their rooms.

There were also communal areas where they can get to know each other and discuss group activities. There is fierce competition between the different Divisions.

Precision drill Cadet team
















Precision Drill display was our last activity. There are 2 major parades each year for all cadets, but this display was a voluntary elective. Tri-service uniforms, Enfield Rifles, drums & cymbals and precision were on display. The different services have variations to their drill team uniform. We were enthralled & captivated by the performance & charmed by the cadets as they shared more stories with us at the end of the drill.

Enjoying watching the drill team




 




We finished under the Tree of Knowledge again, with a display of a quilt, by Sandy Corry presented some years ago, which Samantha brought to show the cadets & volunteers.

Group photo displaying the quilt prersented to Australian Defence Force Academy in 2017 at the Annual Dinner in the ADFA Officers Mess. Made by beloved volunteer, Sandy Corry who we lost to brain cancer in Feb 2021. 











Label on back of quilt. Note the old AHQ logo













Sienna was gifted a Laundry Bag made and presented by Jenny R. We all felt that the afternoon had been a lot of fun and also gave us a real insight into the lives of the Cadets and their Officers.

 

Jenny R presenting Sienna our guide with a laundry bag

Thank you very much for a great write up Jo! Much appreciated. 

Aussie Hero Quilts Annual Thank You Weekend - Bus Trip by Robyn P

This is my very first “Blog:

I’m not even on Facebook, so please be patient with this.

Saturday morning 21 women eagerly boarded the bus, chattering like sparrows at dawn. This cheerful noise continued nonstop till the first stop, to visit HobbySew.

Bobbie and Jacqui










Staff at Hobbeysew












On entering there was instant quiet as we descended on shelves of glorious fabric, to divide and seek out our special interests and colours. The shop was at the end of a shopping centre, in which a couple of ladies found a shop that stocked football tops, which they snapped up for the Logos often requested. Good thinking girls, a quick stop before heading back to the bus!!

Back on board the bus to 2 more shops, the Crafty Frog and Makerie. Somewhere in between there was a box lunch back at the Rex, but it was all a blur, appealing fabric far more important!!

Ruth S and Julie B











The Crafty Frog ladies had biscuits waiting for those who needed a calorie boost and a group photo was taken outside their shop. 

Makerie was a newly opened store, smelling of fresh paint and fabrics, beautifully displayed, plus a craft group in one corner creating bags and cushions from embellished and embroidered fabrics featuring the bust of ladies’ heads.

Makerie's lovley new store


Somehow each shop had different fabrics and designs!! Shelves of bliss that is a feast for the eyes. Some collected the panels or themed prints, but each patchworker came back to the bus with a bag full of fabrics!! Somehow there is always that fabric that I NEED.


Outside the Crafty Frog, a new shop on our bus trip














This was my first bus trip, and an opportunity to speak to as many as I could to ask about their interests and talents. Phone pictures were shared, quilts mainly my interest, discussion on their techniques used for applique and fabric painting, and I am left in awe of their expertise. It was a difficult task in a moving, rocking bus, to mix and all far too busy finding our favourite fabric in a shop to chat while not moving!!

Thank you too to our very careful and capable bus driver. I believe we were his last passengers before retiring!!!

...................................................................

Well done Robyn, for a first blog post you have done a great job! Such a good write up.  

Thank you. 


Request List 4 November 25

Hi all

A busy week for Jan-Maree this week. If you watch the news, you will probably hear about the IndoPacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition which is happening in Sydney this week and which is hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. People will be attending from all over the world including many international Chiefs of Navy. On Wednesday Jan-Maree will be attending a briefing and lunch for the partners of the visiting guests. Several of our quilts and bags will be hung to decorate the venue and Jan-Maree will be telling the story of Aussie Hero Quilts.  

Jan-Maree has a couple of other special functions this week, but she will share those details at a later date.

There are a lot of new fun requests that have come onto this week’s list. 

PRIORITIES 1-10

Number one is on deployment, 2-10 inclusive are the last member of their units to receive their quilt.  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.

As always, the requests are listed in priority order. There are several new requests for you to view. Some look fun. 

Please let me know if you can help.

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 9 Dec 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, include the name given to you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc. 

CPL Wanda Quilt  

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 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

Rising Sun,
AUS flag,
UAE flag,
Desert and ANZAC/Remembrance Day theme
(We can provide a Rising Sun)

M

Q

1

Dinosaurs, red and black themed with initials

M

Q

2

Minecraft

M

Q

3

Army themed in red, white and blue.
RACMP.
Hobbies: collecting books on military history, reading, Zulu and Boer Wars,
Aston Martin Cars (I have a DB7 Vantage).
For the deployment (extended over 15 months in UNDOF on the Golan Heights), I was the I was the Provost Marshal and the only Australian in the UN Force. 

M

B

4

Baseball theme, in royal blue, teal and silver

M

Q

5

American bull dogs,
Ship cannons 
Black, white and red colour

M

LB

6

Warhammer 40K Black Templar Space Marine Black and White theme

M

LB

7

North Queensland Cowboys

M

Q

8

Brisbane Broncos

F

Q

9

Roger Ramjet on a dark Navy Blue Background.  

(Can send a picture for inspiration)

M

Q

10

Initials on quilt,
Photography,
Outdoors, camping, beach,

NO PINK

F

Q

11

Rising Sun,
AAPRS badge,

RuneScape bald character,
Silhouette of Australian animals
(We can provide the Rising Sun, AAPRS Badge and a picture of the RuneScape character for reference)

M

B

12

Text - '1st Joint Public Affairs Unit 2002-2025 along the bottom.
Joint/tri-service colours: pale blue, red, and dark blue with the 1JPAU crest
(We can provide 1JPAU crest).

F

Q

13

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marines

M

Q

14

Blue/Black sunset

M

Q

15

Leopard print
 Rastafarian,
 Surf,
 Snowboarding,
 Chicken joe

M

B

16

NRL/Footy - North Qld Cowboys.

M

Q

17

Retro Balmain Tigers theme

M

LB

18

Dim Sims and Cigarettes

M

LB

19

Khabib Nurmagamedov & Craig Jones & Jon Jones (UFC Fighters)

M

LB

20

Magic The Gathering Card game themed - dark colours

M

LB

21

UFC (Fighting theme) and Rock climbing

M

LB

22

North Queensland Cowboys.
Propeller /ships
(We can provide a propeller silhouette for applique)

M

LB

23

Dolphins NRL team,
Navy Ships

M

LB

24

LEGO Transformers

M

LB

25

Duck themed - green/blue checkered fabric

F

Q

26

RAAF theme.
Hobbies and interests include Triathlon and Snorkelling.
Favourite colours are Pinks, yellows and blues.
 

F

Q

27

Mission: Impossible theme
 (link provided to google search for idea's for theme)

M

B

27

Air Force themed,
RAAF crest,
464 Squadron Badge,
Blue, White and red
(We can provide RAAF crest, 464 Squadron badge)

F

Q

28

Air Force themed RAAF crest, 464 Squadron Badge, White, Red, Blue

(We can provide the RAAF crest & SQN badge)

M

Q

29

Air Force themed RAAF crest, 464 Squadron Badge, Red, Blue and White,
(We can provide RAAF crest, 464 Squadron badge)

M

Q

30

Air Force themed RAAF crest,
464 Squadron Badge,
Red, Blue and White,
(We can provide RAAF crest, 464 Squadron badge)

M

B

31

Air Force themed,  RAAF crest, 464 Squadron Badge, Red, White and blue. (12 images available), (We can provide the RAAF crest and 464 Squadron badge)

F

Q

32

Drums
(We can provide an image of Band drums)

M

Q

33

Weights, gym & anchors

M

Q

34

Saxophones

F

Q

35

Buenos Aires,
 Australia,
 England,
 White, red & black

M

Q

36

Bass Guitars / Speakers

M

Q

37

Movie: Buck Rogers

M

Q

38

Greyhounds,
 Cricket,
 Red & yellow

M

Q

39

Drums & Royal Australian Navy,
 RAN crest
 (We can provide the RAN Crest and an image of the band drums)

M

Q

40

Joint Service Logo,
Australian Flag,
Rustic, earth browns tans and creams.
Australian cowboy like theme with bull skull and horns (like the RM Williams logo),
Boots, dusters and slouch hats.
Pattern in western poncho type design. (We can provide the Joint Service Logo)

M

LB

41

Star Wars,
Dragons,
Dice,
Blue, Green, Black

M

Q

42

Rock climbing

M

LB

43

Red and black - Fairies

M

LB

44

Tan/Khaki - Lumberjack

M

LB

45

Japanese anime (Pokémon)

M

LB

46

Lionel Messi (Argentine soccer player - plays for Inter Miami CF) and
Lebron James (US Basketball player - LA Lakers team)

M

Q

47

A cartoon version of DDG 41 - HMAS Brisbane, with the phrase FUN 41 written above in big font, rainbow colours.
Written down the bottom I would like the phrase 'reach for the skies'

M

Q

48

South Australian Coat of Arms

M

Q

49

HMAS Brisbane with ocean themed sea monsters
(We can provide the ship crest)

M

Q

50

Dogs (Australian Shepards and Border Collies)

M

Q

51

Liverpool FC

M

Q

52

Legend of Zelda,
Pokémon,
Harry Potter,
Dungeons and Dragons.

F

Q

53

Elsa & Anna from Frozen The Movie

M

Q

54

Navy crest,
Image of HMAS Brisbane, 
Moana
HMAS Brisbane in text
(We can provide the Navy crest and image of ship)

F

Q

55

Celtic/Nordic

M

Q

56

Raccoons

M

Q

57

Shrek

F

Q

58

Papua New Guinea flag and Bird of Paradise

F

Q

59

The Big Lez Show ( Australian comedy cartoon-like web series)

M

Q

60

Physical Training Instructor with some Bears and Unicorns incorporated for my kids.
Colour scheme more masculine colours with a little feminine.
(We can provide PTI rate badge or could be easily appliqued)

M

Q

61

Skittles

M

Q

62

Gym and Hajime no Ippo (Anime/ Manga) Theme. Please also include exactly 1 cup of milk somewhere

M

Q

62

Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Cheetahs, Panthers etc.

M

Q

64

Baby pink quilt with Chrysanthemum's (Japanese flower) as the design.

F

Q

65

Neon Genisis Evangelion (Anime series). Favourite character is Unit 01 in purple, green and black colour scheme.
 (images available)

M

Q

66

HMAS Brisbane with cigarette missiles launching and explosions (if not possible loads of cigarettes and explosions)

M

Q

67

Music/Musical instrument themed such as: drums, guitars, bass, jazz, music notation, and Lord of the Rings themes

M

Q

68

Dogs (Golden Retrievers) or floral patterns

F

Q

69

Navy theme
Previous ship postings (ship and ships crest) - Some pink and stuff would be nice.
FFH 153 - HMAS Stuart (SMN-AB) A 03
HMAS Shepparton (AB-LS) FFH 152
HMAS Warramunga (LS) Minor War Vessel Sea Training Group (PO) FFH 157
HMAS Perth (PO) FFG
HMAS Melbourne (CPO) DDG 41
HMAS Brisbane III (WO)
(We can provide the crests)

F

Q

70

RAN Crest with Navy theme,
crests of L51 - HMAS Kanimbla FCPB 209
HMAS Ipswich  FCPB 204
HMAS Warrnambool M86
HMAS Diamantina FFG 06
HMAS Newcastle FFG 03
HMAS Sydney FFG 05
HMAS Melbourne Sea Training Group FFH 151
HMAS Arunta FFH 157
HMAS Perth DDG 41
HMAS Brisbane
(We can provide the crests)

M

Q

71

Navy theme for HMAS Brisbane with surrounding logistics themes:
chef hat/food,
medical cross,
money bag,
stores (e.g. boxes/forklift),
helicopter,
hospitality (e.g. wine glass/knife, fork, latte art)
(We can provide the ships crest)

F

Q

72

Themed for previous postings,
HMAS Diamantina,
HMAS Huon,
HMAS Choules,
HMAS Parramatta,
HMAS Brisbane
(We can provide the ship crests)

M

Q

73

Disney/Pixar Themed

M

Q

74

XBOX game theme: Tomb Raider/Assassin Creed/cyber punk/Grand Theft Auto

F

Q

75

Fortnight - the game

M

Q

76

Highland Cows and Scottish Themed

M

Q

77

Animal and nature themed please.
Animals, islands, seals, cows, birds.

M

Q

78

Military Police themed with Explosions

M

Q

79

Optimus Prime fighting Megatron with Explosions

M

Q

80

Dragon Ball Z

M

Q

81

Batman in a battle with a Cat

M

Q

82

Pokémon Themed - CHARIZARD

M

Q

83

Crash Bandicoot

M

Q

84

F22 Raptor,
Steel Cat (HMAS Brisbane nickname) with Explosions

M

Q

85

The Steel Cat (HMAS Brisbane nickname) with lots of Cats and Explosions
(We can supply the photo of the ship and an image/silhouette of HMAS Brisbane)

M

Q

86

Manchester City

M

Q

87

Ronnie Coleman (American former Bodybuilder) and body building in general
(images available)

M

Q

88

Horses vs Racoons playing AFL

M

Q

89

Spider man. Please also include exactly 1 cup of milk somewhere

M

Q

90

90s/early 2000s Nickelodeon cartoons or Scooby Doo Themed

F

Q

91

Chicken Joe from Surfs Up Cartoon movie with saying "I can feel it in my nuggets"

M

Q

92

Dogs (Dachshund)

M

Q

93

Liverpool FC ( Mo Salah, Virgil, Gerrard, King Kenny)

M

Q

94

Star Trek Deep Space 9

M

Q

95

Navy crest
HMAS Hobart, HMAS Brisbane,
HMAS Sydney with explosions
(We can supply Navy crest and ships crests)

M

Q

96

Surf's up the movie themed

M

Q

97

Cute cats & bunnies. Pastel, cream & light brown colours.

M

Q

98

A Kitten with shades surfing during a cyclone

M

Q

99

Greek Themed Food Truck with Explosions

M

Q

100