Grati-Wednesday 26th November 2025

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

 Grab a cuppa, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

We still have a few AHQ 2026 calendars left.  If you are interested in purchasing one please see ordering details at the end of the blog. 

***

This quilt has gone to a veteran. I am told that he was really touched and blown away by it.  Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to the speedy delivery of this quilt, from the express posted crests, to the digitisation of the footy logos by Lois and Geoff and Philomena who quilted it. None of this would have been possible without the regular supply of great quilt tops that come from Bobbie and the
mystery BOMers. You all make a huge difference.

Huge thanks everyone!

***

Hi Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers,

You recently made a quilt for my husband. 

I wanted to write and let you know the truly beautiful quilt and laundry bag were received last week and it really gave my husband a big lift when he saw them. You captured the brief perfectly and both items are so beautifully made they will be treasured by me and by his extended family. 

I am also in the service and received a quilt and laundry bag while deployed and they remain among my most treasured possessions. 

I cannot thank you enough for the swift response to our request and the extraordinary lengths you and all your team must have gone to in order to complete the quilt and bag so quickly. 

Thank you also for the notes enclosed. 

warmest regards

***

Good afternoon Robyn P,

Can I say firstly, thank you very much for my quilt and surprise laundry bag! I had requested a pirate themed laundry bag which I had already received and am very happy with it but I am very pleased to have a matching set! You did a wonderful job on the laundry bag as did Geoff with the quilt! When I put in the theme description I wasn't sure exactly what would come back but this is outstanding! Where did you get the images? Do you print them on fabric?

I am familiar with where you live having gone to high school in Melbourne and I have actually done a tour of the mine when I was at the Australian Scout Jamboree in 2007 which was hosted in Elmore. Before joining the Navy I have done quite a lot of work in regional Victoria. I love it and am very fond of its colonial architecture. Mind you it can get rather cool in winter.

That sounds like a wonderful way to spend an ANZAC day. I have been trying to get more involved in the local services community since moving to the area of the Central Coast in 2023 with some success, though it can be hard to find the time between family and work. I like to keep busy myself.

Thank you again for the beautiful bag and quilt, I really do love the result!

Fondest regards,

***

Hi Clarissa L,

I recently attended the AHQ's Thank you dinner in my husbands place, he is away. I had no idea what to expect, and so when I realised you may have been in attendance and that I could thank you personally for the beautifully made laundry bag for my husband.....

 This act of service is made significant when you know at this stage of his career, he did not have one because he had always made sure everyone else had received one first. 

Most gratefully....

***

Good afternoon Kirsten O,

I just received the beautiful quilt you made for me today and I wanted to reach out and say thank you so much, it’s absolutely perfect and everything I could have hoped for 

Seeing as you shared a bit about yourself, I thought I’d do the same.

I only served for a tiny amount of time compared to you, and I was one of the first female's working in the area I did on Navy ships.  

I now live happily alone with my Staffy Service Dog, Marley 

She has brought so much joy to my life and we enjoy travelling together and walking on the beach.  We’re lucky to have amazing weather over here and the most amazing sunsets.  

Anyway again I just wanted to say thank you so very much and I wish you all the best and hopefully the Winters in Canberra aren’t too cold  

Warm regards,

***

Good Evening Beverly F,

It was so lovely to learn about you and your love for travelling, my parents recently did a similar thing, selling the house and buying a caravan with my younger brother and they too loved every moment of their adventure around Australia. 

I've been in the Army for almost 7 years and my deployment this year was my first one and I had so much pride in the work I was doing. Receiving your quilt only made it more special!

The quilt has been frequently used on the couch while watching movies and it fits perfectly in my camping set up that I'm getting ready for an East coast road trip for Christmas. 

Hopefully your current sewing projects are going well. Have a very merry Christmas and once again thank you so much for the quilt, you have no idea how meaningful receiving something like this is.

Kindest Regards,

***

Jan-Maree,

I would like to thank you and the quilting clan for the wonderful, and expertly tailored laundry bag.

 

I was very fortunate to have received one back in 2015 in the Middle East. We still use this for work and leisure trips and it is still in 100% perfect condition.

 

The memories that these bags relive brings a smile to my face each time our family use them.

 

Thank you again.

***

Hi Cath H,

 

I hope you are well!!

 

I received the quilt at the end of my deployment and absolutely love it, thank you so much for all of the effort you put in, it’s incredible. 

 

I spent the last 7 months in the Middle East which was a great experience. Busy and stressful at times but opportunities to help Australia’s interests overseas is the main reason I joined the Defence Force. 

 

I loved reading your letter. Thank you for the time and effort you put into it. I love the William Butler Yeats quote, we are now friends that haven’t met. I enjoyed getting to know you through your letter, your rose garden sounds great. 

 

Hope was lucky to live her life with you. I love golden retrievers and would love to have one one day. It made me very happy to read that you have Ruby now, and great choice of name. It sounds like you two are inseparable which is very cute. 

 

Wow! That is a lot of laundry bags!!! That would have brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. 

 

You did such a great job with my Persian rug. It makes me feel special that you put the research and effort into it. Its so impressive you made it like that. It made me so happy when I received the parcel and I am extremely grateful: thank you. The colours are amazing and I particularly love the gold in the middle. It brightens my day every time I look at it. 

 

I can confirm that living out in the Middle East for an extended period is tough at times. No greenery, no trees, no clear skies, no smells of freshly cut grass, no comforting rain; just sand, heat, and dirty air. 

 

Well, I guess it is time that I tell you about me.

 

I have been in the Army for over 7 years now. I grew up in SA and studied at the University of Adelaide, where I also completed a study tour in the UK for 6 months. After university in my field, but I realised that it wasn’t for me, I wanted something more meaningful – so I joined the Army. I still enjoy studying and am currently completing my third Masters. 

 

This is my third operational deployment and my third time to the Middle East. I was working with a great team and really enjoyed my time. I love being challenged, that is why I joined. I just got back to Australia after spending almost 7 months across the Middle East. 

 

Outside of work I love the gym and travelling. I love a fitness competition called Hyrox. It includes running and high-intensity exercises. I have spent a lot of time travelling around the world across Asia, Europe, North America, South America and obviously Australia. 

 

My next travelling adventure is to the Canary Islands (off the west coast of Africa). 

 

Thank you again for the beautiful blanket and the letter that you wrote me. 

***

Good Afternoon Janis K,

I'm just writing to thank you for the quilt you made for me. 

It was a very obscure design indeed, it was to reflect my deployment in England training Ukrainian soldiers along side the Finnish armed forces. Hence the Ukrainian trident and Finnish coat of arms. The Sutton Hoo helmet and runes was to represent England and Anglo Saxon culture,  also my very distant heritage (8 generations Australian) The Sutton Hoo helmet was believed to have belonged to the last King of East Anglia, Suffolk (before England became Christianised) and has been claimed as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in British history and is an important significance in British culture.

Your quilt turned out great, it was even better than I had imagined, and I will cherish it. It would have to be my favourite and the most meaningful item I have in my collection of military souvenirs, that I have collected over my 11 year service. 

Thank you again,

I hope you finish of the year with your loved ones and have an excellent Christmas and New Years.

Regards,

***

Good Afternoon Sue N,

I have been very delighted in the quilt that you have made. I am so grateful for the effort and the quality of what you have created.

I was at sea when the application of the quilts was made but have come ashore recently. I am afraid that this quilt will never go to sea because I think the quality of the product in a “at sea mess environment” would deteriorate it too fast. The heavy duty washing machines and the dirt that builds quickly at sea. I have read the instructions.

 

I will be proceeding back to sea shortly in the near future (next week) so the snacks and crossword are most welcome and thoughtful.  In the meantime I currently work in a Safety Equipment and  fabrication workshop. It annoys me that I have some very nice sewing machines (expensive too) but have no ability to create something as nice as the quilt.

 

I have attached a picture of the quilt next to a ridiculously sized long arm sewing machine that I am quite incapable of using and a life-ring that I was too lazy to remove (my sailors had left for the day).

 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and hope that you all stay healthy and happy during the time. 

  

Yours Faithfully and with much appreciation,

***

Cheers Catherine D

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

AHQ 2025 Calendars for Sale

For the very low cost of only $20 you can purchase a 2026 AHQ calendar.

If you would like to place an order, please email Bel Payne via AHQcalendars@aussieheroquilts.com.au with your mailing details. I will acknowledge the email and include the bank details for payment.

Orders will only be taken by email. Do not leave a message under this blog or on the FB post.

Request List 25 November 25

Hi all

We have published a blog post about this and have mentioned this on our request list emails but still it seems that not everyone has received this message.  Hopefully this will reach everyone. There have been major changes with the addresses for all our ships and boats. If you are sending a parcel to any recipients who are on a ship or a boat, please DO NOT post them off without checking with us. That includes any addresses that include HMAS or ADV please check in with us before posting off your parcels.

 

PRIORITIES

Requests number 1 is retiring soon and this needs to be actioned

Requests 2-3 are on deployment. So obviously we would like to get these requests completed.

Request 4-7 have been on the list since June 2025.

Request 8 has been waiting a long time for his quilt

It would be good to get these done and to their recipient’s.

As always, the requests are listed in priority order. There are many new and interesting requests that have come on this week.

Please let me know if you can help.

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 30 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, please use the name given 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

RAAF crest, Air Force themed in RAAF cam,  Mixture of blues and white (member is a Military Police and dog handler) (We can provide Military Police badge, RAAF crest with personal details)	M	Q	1
Black, Game/Movie Themed, Diablo II, III or IV(game), Marvel heroes, Guardian of the Galaxy	M	LB	2
Neon coloured Printed Circuit Board pattern, Cyber Security themed	M	B	3
Weights, gym & anchors	M	Q	4
Bass Guitars / Speakers	M	Q	5
Movie: Buck Roger	M	Q	6
Leopard print Rastafarian, Surf, Snowboarding, Chicken joe	M	Q	7
Anime, Attack on titan (Levi Ackerman)	M	Q	8
Dim Sims and Cigarettes	M	LB	9
Khabib Nurmagamedov & Craig Jones & Jon Jones (UFC Fighters)	M	LB	10
UFC (Fighting theme) and Rock climbing	M	LB	11
LEGO Transformers	M	LB	12
Mission: Impossible theme (link provided to google search for ideas for theme)	M	B	13
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	14
Rising Sun, Army themed in earthy tones and Australian Native flora and Fauna (We can provide Rising Sun with personal details, RACMP badge)	F	Q	15
RAAF crest with service details Incorporate a green military tunnel tent (11x11 style), Super hornet and a C-17 Globemaster. Likes flowers, Vintage-country style, Favourite colour is blue. (We can provide RAAF crest)	F	B	16
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. (We can provide Rising Sun & RACMP emb)	M	B	17
Lionel Messi (Argentine soccer player - plays for Inter Miami CF) and Lebron James (US Basketball player - LA Lakers team)	M	Q	18
South Australian Coat of Arms	M	Q	19
HMAS Brisbane with ocean themed sea monsters (We can provide the ship crest & RAN crest & ships silhouette)	M	Q	20
Dogs (Australian Shepherds and Border Collies)	M	Q	21
Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Harry Potter, Dungeons and Dragons.	F	Q	22
Navy crest, Image of HMAS Brisbane,  Moana HMAS Brisbane in text (We can provide the Navy crest and image of ship)	F	Q	23
Raccoons	M	Q	24
Shrek	F	Q	25
Papua New Guinea flag and Bird of Paradise	F	Q	26
The Big Lez Show (Australian comedy cartoon-like web series)	M	Q	27
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	28
Gym and Hajime no Ippo (Anime/ Manga) Theme. Please also include exactly 1 cup of milk somewhere	M	Q	29
Neon Genisis Evangelion (Anime series). Favourite character is Unit 01 in purple, green and black colour scheme. (Images available)	M	Q	30
HMAS Brisbane with cigarette missiles launching and explosions (if not possible loads of cigarettes and explosions) (We can provide RAN and ships crest. Silhouette of ship)	M	Q	31
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 & RAN crest)	F	Q	32
Themed for previous postings, HMAS Diamantina, HMAS Huon, HMAS Choules, HMAS Parramatta, HMAS Brisbane (We can provide the ship crests & RAN crest)	M	Q	33
Disney/Pixar Themed	M	Q	34
XBOX game theme: Tomb Raider/Assassin Creed/cyber punk/Grand Theft Auto	F	Q	35
Fortnight - the game	M	Q	36
Animal and nature themed please. Animals, islands, seals, cows, birds.	M	Q	37
Military Police themed with Explosions	M	Q	38
Optimus Prime fighting Megatron with Explosions	M	Q	39
Dragon Ball Z	M	Q	40
Batman in a battle with a Cat	M	Q	41
Crash Bandicoot	M	Q	42
F22 Raptor, (fighter jet) Steel Cat (HMAS Brisbane nickname) with Explosions (We can provide ship's silhouette, & RAN & the ships crests)	M	Q	43
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	44
Manchester City	M	Q	45
Ronnie Coleman (American former Bodybuilder) and body building in general (images available)	M	Q	46
Horses’ vs Racoons playing AFL (If someone is interested in appliqueing, we have found some great images)	M	Q	47
90s/early 2000s Nickelodeon cartoons or Scooby Doo Themed	F	Q	48
Chicken Joe from Surfs Up Cartoon movie with saying "I can feel it in my nuggets"	M	Q	49
Liverpool FC (Mo Salah, Virgil, Gerrard, King Kenny)	M	Q	50
Star Trek Deep Space 9	M	Q	51
Navy crest HMAS Hobart, HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Sydney with explosions (We can supply Navy crest and the ships crests)	M	Q	52
Surf's up the movie themed	M	Q	53
A Kitten with shades surfing during a cyclone	M	Q	54
Greek Themed Food Truck with Explosions	M	Q	55
Traditional & Sailor Jerry Tattoo themed	F	Q	56
Star Wars themed, Anakin Skywalker vs Obi Wan duel on Mustafar, lightsabres hitting.	M	Q	57
Carlton Football Club (AFL)	M	Q	58
Squirrels and Acorns	M	Q	59
Australian Bushland	M	Q	60
HMAS Brisbane/ocean themed (We can provide the Brisbane & RAN crests & the ships silhouette)	F	Q	61
HMAS Brisbane/ocean themed (We can provide the Brisbane & RAN crests)	M	Q	62
Melbourne Storm NRL Team	M	Q	63
Mythical Nautical Creatures of the Deep	M	Q	64
HMAS Brisbane firing Tomahawk Missile with Explosions (We can provide a RAN crest& a silhouette of the ship)	M	Q	65
HMAS BRISBANE with shark teeth on bow with explosions in background. (We can provide a RAN & ship's crest as well as a silhouette of the ship)	M	Q	66
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs team with NWA artist in a ballerina concert.	M	Q	67
RAN Crest, HMAS Brisbane/Royal Australian Navy themed (We can provide the Navy and ships crest)	M	Q	68
Transformers	M	Q	69
Sloths	M	Q	70
Star Wars (Republic Clone Wars)	M	Q	71
Formula 1	M	Q	72
Goat with explosions	M	Q	73
Tanks through the ages	M	Q	74
Retro Arcade	M	LB	75
Soccer - Arsenal	M	LB	76
Spoodles (puppy dog) and sunflowers. Pastel Yellow bright & happy!	F	LB	77
King Dedede (character from Nintendo's video game 'Kirby') Red, blue, yellow and white coloured theme	M	LB	78
Batman and KFC logo	M	LB	79
Fighter jets	M	LB	80
Cobra Kai (American Karate drama tv show)	M	LB	81
90's Japanese cars	M	LB	82
Bluey	M	LB	83
Hufflepuff & Harry Potter	M	LB	84
Transformers	M	LB	85
Gerry Andersons 1960's Thunderbirds	M	LB	86
Twisties chip packet	M	LB	87
Purple anime theme	M	LB	88
Dinosaurs with bows	F	LB	89
Avatar the Last Air Bender	M	LB	90
Princesses, Rainbows and Unicorns	M	LB	91
Zelda and Pokémon. Colours: Predominantly green.	M	LB	92
The Witcher (Books/Video Game) (My favourite), PlayStation, 4WDing. Predominately blue, silver, or black.	M	LB	93
Michael Jordan/Chicago Bulls. Black, red and white	M	LB	94
Optimus Prime (Transformers Dark of the Moon) Autobots Logo, Red, Blue	M	LB	95
Beers, Lawn mowers, Palm trees, Thongs	M	LB	96
Videogames/Orange/Blue	M	LB	97
Peppa Pig, Pink,	M	LB	98
Pink, purple, ZELDA, Ocean/beach, sea animals, Gaming, Flowers, Music, guitar	F	LB	99
Favourite colours are green, neutrals and pastel. I love my dog Carlton his is a border collie X Kelpie. He is black with a white crest on his chest. Could I have a cute little paw print I’m also into old cars (especially the Ford Trucks!)	F	LB	100