Woo Hoo, well our travelling 15th Anniversary Laundry Bags are still continuing to travel the world. One literally flew off to Seoul in South Korea this morning and another one has returned from South Sudan.
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First up we have a mesage from the Commander Surface Force - straight from the Royal Australian Navy website "Surface Force Command consists of a number of groups and departments that work collectively to ensure the Royal Australian Navy Major Fleet Units are available, sustainable and lethal in order to complete Navy's mission." If I am not mistaken Surface Force included ships like HMAS Canberra, Arunta, Brisbane and so on and NOT the patrol boats and submarines. Hope that helps for the non-military readers.
“Message from Commodore Antony Pisani CSC, RAN Commander Surface Force (COMSURF).
On behalf of Commander Surface Force and the sailors and officers of the Royal Australian Navy, I extend my warmest congratulations to Aussie Hero Quilts on the occasion of your 15 Year Anniversary.
For fifteen years, the Friends of Aussie Heroes—spread across every corner of our nation—have quietly and generously demonstrated what genuine support for service looks like. Through the making of quilts and laundry bags, you have provided tangible reminders of home to Australian sailors serving on deployments around the world and here at home.
Your work recognises not only the service of our people in uniform, but also the sacrifices made by their families. Whether responding to requests from deployed members and their loved ones, supporting those in compassionate need or ill health, or personalising items to reflect the individual behind the uniform, your gifts speak volumes. As you so perfectly describe them, these quilts are not works of art, but works of the heart.
The impact of your support is felt deeply. Many of your quilts are made specifically to match requests from deployed Australian Defence Force members, reaching them wherever they are in the world. Even the simple practicality of an Aussie Hero laundry bag—used during the routine of washing while deployed—serves as a powerful reminder that someone back home is thinking of them and grateful for their service.
Your dedication, kindness and unwavering commitment over the past fifteen years have strengthened the bond between the Australian community and those who serve in its defence. On behalf of Surface Force, thank you for what you do and for the difference you continue to make every day.
Congratulations on this remarkable milestone, and may your inspiring work continue for many years to come.
“No one who serves Australia is alone.”
What a wonderful message for our volunteers. Thank you.
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Warrant Officer Ken Robertson OAM is the inaugural Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force (SEAC), a mouthful of a title, but a worthy title for a great bloke who has been a genuine friend of Aussie Hero Quilts since his deployment around 2013. He absolutely understands the depth and breadth of what we do and who we are, so receiving such a lovely message to go along with this photo means a great deal.
If you can't read the message above please let me know and we will send you a transcript.
The Navy is helping to deliver these bags and this lovely chaplain, one of our recipients, came to collect them from HQ today. He was also kind enough pose for a photo with one of our 15th Anniversary laundry bags.
This is 85 laundry bags heading off to a group who recently deployed overseas. They were collected by WGCDR R and will be heading off to their recipients in the next few days.
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And a few more posts you might like to read.
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Earlier this month one of our volunteers, Philomena, and I headed up to 464 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown to the commemoration of two incredible young WWII Pilots, Pilot Officer Justin Mulligan and Warrant Officer Billy Kinloch. It was such a privelege to sit in the audience with descendants of both young men as well as current aircrew whilst their wartime efforts were described. Having flown 50 successful missions on Mosquito Aircraft they could have moved to a less dangerous mission but instead signed on again to fly more operational missions.
Starting from one of the deadliest missions undertaken was the daylight raid against the Gestapo Headquarters in Aarhuas Denmark. The pair flew a 1900km round trip at extremely low altitude across the northern sea, against heavy enemy defences. They delivered bombs so precisely that their squadron earned the nickname the Gestapo Hunters.
Listening to the questions asked by some of today's aircrew and hearing the responses really brought home to me just how extraordinary the missions were that these two men undertook.There achievements are all the more remarkable when you consider that they did not have the advantages of modern day navigation instruments and aids. No GPS on these aircraft! No head up displays!
These are the stories that must be recorded and shared and it seems to me that the RAAF History and Heritage Branch are doing a wonderful job.
Meeting both the Mulligan and Kinloch families was a pleasure and it was a real privilege to present both families with Fallen Warrior Quilts in memory of each young man's service and sacrifice.
Sincere thanks to WGCDR C for requesting the Fallen Warrior Quilts and for inviting us to attend the presentation, to the Royal Australian Air Force Historian Dr Lewis Frederickson PhD for bringing the story to life and to everyone else involved.
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Our former Chairman Leo Davies surprised GPCAPT (Ret'd) R and his wife at their home on the central coast recently.
After catching up on health issues and life in retirement, Leo presented this
50 year veteran with his own Aussie Hero Quilt.
Electrical engineers do get emotional and Scriv was a little overwhelmed
by the acknowledgement of his service, but also that someone he didn't know
made his quilt. 'This will come in very handy this winter' said R after
wiping away a few tears.
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When visiting a local nursing home for Remembrance Day, CPO
Chris met Ian, a Navy veteran.
As it turns out, Ian’s sister mentioned that he is a survivor of the
Voyager collision. Chris’ first thought was to see if we could arrange an
Aussie Hero Quilt for him. Absolutely!
A few months later the Ian was invited to HMAS Cairns in the
Combined Mess. Ian was able to tell his
story of the collision, what took place in regards to himself, and it was very
well received by the 40 personnel present. As Ian said, he just wanted for
personnel to hear his story and he got that in such a big way.
He was also presented with his very own Aussie Hero Quilt
which was very well received. Thanks for facilitating this quilt for a
wonderful veteran with a great story.
. Thanks for facilitating this quilt for a rful veteran with a great story.
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Till next time.... keep spreading the word, Happy Easter and Happy sewing!
Jan-Maree xx
