Grati-Wednesday 13th May 2026

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

There are, as always, some awesome letters which definitely pull at the heart strings.

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

***

Dear Clarissa L,

Thank you so much for my laundry bag. I am so touched that you and the Aussie Heroes organisation have chosen to honour me with such a beautiful gift.

I am in Canberra this week for a series of meetings with the RAAF, and I was lucky enough to be presented with your beautiful bag in the Russell building. I had absolutely no idea this was going to happen so it was a very nice surprise indeed. I love the choice of fabrics especially the C130 and the indigenous art on the inside. The embroidery is really beautiful and touching.

It was a real honour to work with the Australian C130s of 37 Squadron during Operation Beech. Not only did they achieve their mission in Europe but they were able to help my former squadron, number 47 Squadron Royal Air Force. This was because a former loadmaster and good friend of mine unfortunately passed away from cancer during the time period of the Op Beech deployment. He was a dedicated RAF C130 loadmaster but unfortunately the Royal Air Force has now retired to the C130 so we were unable to get him a suitable flypast. That was, until number 37 squadron RAAF stepped in to help and provide provided not one, but two, amazing flypasts. A really special event on the day and a lovely surprise for his friends and family.

With thanks and best wishes,

Recipient is pictured right

 

***

Dear Pennie T,

My dearest friend gave me the quilt you made for me on ANZAC Day and I was completely blown away by it.

I truly appreciate the time, effort, and care you put into creating something so special. It is nothing short of exceptional work, clearly made with love and attention to detail. The layout is perfect and the colours and fabrics-especially the Australian and New Zealand

themes, make it even more meaningful.

Thank you so much, both to you and my friend, for making my ANZAC Day so memorable.

Kind regards,

***

Dear Bridget R,

 

I wanted to write to give my heartfelt thanks for the time and effort you have put in to my Aussie Hero Quilt. I received it yesterday at a small ceremony within the SGTS Mess at the School of Infantry, Singleton NSW.

 

Each stitch and  embroidery told a story of my 30 plus year career and brought back great memories and stories that I could share with friends and family. The attention to detail and quality of my quilt is owed to the skill and dedication of your craft.

 

By taking the time to create these beautiful quilts, you help preserve memories, inspire gratitude and strengthen our community’s connection to those that serve.

 

Thank you again for your compassion, respect and support of this meaningful tradition.

 

All the best to your family and poodle

 

Regards

***

Presentation of a quilt by Robyn P: 

I personally presented this quilt I had made for the recipient. It was held in his mother’s home and a wonderful afternoon. Bev and Geoff C also joined me, for Geoff had done the quilting of gum leaves on the quilt. 

A huge honour for us, to actually meet and chat to my recipient! 

The story begins with an early Anzac Day talk about Aussie Hero Quilts to the Kangaroo Flat Probus club back in early April. 

After my talk I was approached by a member asking me how she could obtain a quilt for her son. He had returned home from Afghanistan with PTSD and had also experienced abuse at times.  

This man needed to know We Care. 

One speedy phone call to Jan Maree, then a meeting in his mother’s lounge room with Geoff, to discuss, look at his photos and my quilts for ideas, and so this photo is the result.

***

Cheers Catherine D

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Request List 12 May 26

Hi all

The latest episode of the Tales of the Travelling 15^th Anniversary Laundry bags has been posted for you to read.  The post includes a fabulous photo taken by an ADF Diver underwater. They are certainly getting around the world and all over Australia.

 Jan-Maree would like more photos taken featuring our volunteers and these special travelling 15^th Anniversary Laundry Bags. It is a simple mission. Simply take a photo of the laundry bag, with you, in your sewing room, or perhaps with your latest AHQ project. Along with the photo we ask that you send us a short blurb that explains your connection to Aussie Hero Quilts.  Please email us at friendsofahq@gmail.com if you would like to take part in our 15^th Anniversary celebrations.

 

PRIORITIES

Requests number 1 -19 are priority for a variety of reasons.

Some of them are the last of their group, some are deployed and some are have other reasons for their urgency. We would love to get these requests sent off to their recipients as soon as possible.

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 16 June 26 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

This is our third 15th Anniversary Star Quilt. The theme is Western Bulldogs AFL theme, so this is what we need. There will be fourteen stars for this one as the fifteenth block will either have an applique of the Western Bulldogs logo or will have some Western Bulldogs Text. If anyone is interested in making this block, please let us know. The team colours are royal blue, dark red, and white.  For the stars what we need is a red centre, white points and royal blue for the rest of the star. We will send you an instruction sheet if need be.  Please let us know if you want to make one of the stars.	M	Q	1
One more VIP invitation needed Every year we make something which will serve as our invitation for our VIPs to attend our Annual Dinner. This year we are going to make miniature wall hangings with an ANZAC Theme. The wall hangings are to be 12"" by 9"" in portrait format.  We need 24 in total. These are one sided with the design details on the front. The back is to have a rod pocket on it.  The only requirement of the front is that it be ANZAC Themed though please bear in mind that not all invitations will be for Army personnel. If you would like to make one of these invitations, please put in a request. We need 18 or so. You will be advised who your Invitation is for so you can write a personal letter to go with your creation. The front of the invitation can be pieced, appliqued, embroidered or painted as you see fit. We would like a creatively completed piece, rather than a piece of a commercial panel with no extra adornment.  If you are not sure what I mean, then please feel free to reach out and ask questions. Your completed invitation will need to be sent to AHQ Headquarters."	F		2
Cartoon like pictures of Frozen and Shrek	M	Q	3
Rising Sun (with details) Royal Australian Signals Corp Badge Army Themed 4WD Camping and Whisky (We can provide the Rising Sun with details and Corp Badge)	M	Q	4
Rising Sun (with details) RAA Ordnance Corp Badge Army themed Photography Camping and Toyota (We can provide the Rising Sun with details and Corp Badge)	M	Q	5
Surfs Up Movie Themed	M	Q	6
Rising Sun Army themed in earth tones, INTERFLEXT LOGO Aussie flag Ukraine Flag Union Jack Ukraine trident Cattle dogs/kelpies, QLD Reds Rugby Union team, Rising Sun, Outline of Australia, Rodeo/Outback theme (We can provide the Rising Sun, the Interflex Logo, the Union Jack and the trident. We can provide the post bag.)	M	B	7
Dragon Ball Z	M	Q	8
Ronnie Coleman (American former Bodybuilder) and body building in general  (images of Ronnie Coleman available)	M	Q	9
Liverpool FC (Mo Salah 11, Virgil 4, Gerrard 8, King Kenny 7)	M	Q	10
Queensland Maroons themed	M	Q	11
RAAF badge P-8A Poseidon E-7A Wedgetail RAAF themed (We can provide RAAF badge and images of the aircraft)	M	LB	12
Doom Eternal Theme (video game) (We can provide two printed images)	M	LB	13
One Piece, Zoro vs King battle (We can provide 2 printed images)	M	LB	14
Space invaders, Pacman or Donkey Kong on a dark background	M	LB	15
Rising Sun, RASIGS badge on white and royal blue background Star Wars and Metroid prime (video game, Metroid is a robot) (We can provide Rising Sun, RASIGs badge)	M	Q	16
Ocean colours. Great Barrier Reef, Personal cruising boating. CIS Comms logo. Navy White Ensign. (We can provide the CIS Comms badge logo and white ensign)	M	Q	17
Blue and White colours MWGU logo Weather and ocean theme, Snowboarding, Groodle (2 images supplied), Sydney Roosters  (We can provide the MGWU logo and dog images)	M	Q	18
NAVY badge HMAS Melville badge Australian Antarctic Program badge Hydrographer/Survey, Fishing (Barramundi), Blue and white (We can provide Navy badge, HMAS Melville badge, printed Australian Antarctic Program badge and 6 images provided for inspiration or for printing)	M	B	19
RAAF badge Roundel Air Force themed F-111 Navigator wing Currently working in an airbase capability role (aircraft, runways, ATC tower, airfield fire trucks) (We can provide RAAF badge, Roundel, Navigator wing, silhouette F-111 for applique)	M	Q	20
Rising Sun, RAAF and Navy badges,  Joint service themed. Hobbies are watching Formula 1, playing golf and Four-wheel Driving. (We can supply the Service badges)	M	Q	21
Rising Sun with details, Corp Badges for Artillery and Military Police, Army theme Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Maroons (We can provide the Rising Sun and badges)	M	Q	22
Miffy (rabbit cartoon) Navy White Ensign flag	M	B	23
Morobe Flag/Emblem - PNG Province (Morobe) Flag	M	B	24
Western Suburbs Magpies Themed Rugby League Team	M	B	25
Rising Sun with dates Army/Australian/Malaysian themed (We can provide the Rising Sun with dates)	M	B	26
Interests are Bicycles, Aeroplanes Canoeing Orienteering. Likes bright greens.	M	Q	27
Navy badge Navy themed  Electronics Technician. Ships : HMAS Adelaide HMAS Torrens HMAS Darwin HMAS Tobruk HMAS Success Shore postings HMAS Cerberus (Training Division) Melbourne Recruiting Fleet Support Unit West Fleet Support Unit Garden Island RAAF Base Laverton Passionate Formula 1 fan Lifelong supporter of the Richmond Tigers AFL Football Club, both of which are important parts of who he is. (We can provide the Navy, electronics technician badge,  and ship badges)	M	Q	28
Essendon (AFL) Mighty Ducks Dachshund (sausage dogs).	M	Q	29
Rising Sun Royal Engineers badge. Army themed in colours of Corp blue & red. (We can supply the Rising Sun and RAE badge)	M	Q	30
RAAF badge  C-17 with Homer Simpson (We can provide RAAF badge, silhouette of C17 for applique)	M	Q	31
RAAF badge 36SQN badge 1SQN badge Australian Flag or Southern cross (We can provide the RAAF badge, 36SQN & 1SQN badges)	M	B	32
RAAF badge 36SQN badge C17 And Brisbane Broncos themed (We can provide the RAAF badge, 36SQN crest & silhouette C17 for applique)	M	B	33
RAAF badge 36SQN badge C17  (We can provide RAAF badge, 36SQN badge, silhouette C17 for applique)	M	LB	34
RAAF badge Blue 36SQN C17 (We can provide the RAAF badge, 36SQN crest, silhouette C17 for applique)	M	B	35
Rainbow and Blue themed Hobby of running	M	B	36
Cricket/travel	M	Q	37
Text "BEECH 1/26" on the Quilt and Laundry Bag. Pink/Blue/Green Colours Union Jack flag 36SQN Stallion Unicorn (We can provide the emb text, 36SQN badge, 36SQN stallion image, C17 silhouette for applique)	M	B	38
Text "BEECH 26" on the Quilt and Laundry Bag.  Explosions Mountains C17s 36SQN Stallion (We can provide 36SQN badge, the stallion image, emb text & C17 silhouette for applique)	M	B	39
RAAF badge with details List of Operations: We can provide as an embroidered patch Blackhawk helicopter with some poppies and the words 'Lest We Forget" Australian War themes If possible the older desert camo colour would be great Rifles - F88, MP7, Glocks. (We can provide: RAAF badge with details emb text of Operations. Text Lest We Forget, silhouette of Blackhawk, older desert camo, silhouettes of the 3 rifles)	M	Q	40
Essendon Bombers (AFL Team) Red, black	M	Q	41
Flowers Rainbow General feminine Pink	F	B	42
RAAF badge 2 SQN and 100 SQN badges Aircraft in general in particular E7, P51Mustang & Hudson Cricket Golf (We can provide RAAF badge and the 2 and 100 SQN crests)	M	B	43
2007 RuneScape Newcastle Knights USA Cats Red, white, blue	M	B	44
2007 RuneScape Lord of the Rings Star Wars Back to the Future Gold, black and a little blue	M	B	45
I do not expect everything to be included, I have just provided a lot to help the special crafter come up with a great, meaningful design. Blue, Pink Sunflowers MK2 Spitfire Horse Cattle Aussie Countryside  Gingerbread Petra/Wati Rum The following in honour of my daughters Nellie and Matilda - Poppy (birth flower), Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Minnie & Mickey	F	Q	46
RAAF badge Air Forced Themed Blue, White, Red. C-130 Herc aircraft (We can provide you RAAF badge and silhouette of C-130)	M	Q	47
RAAF badge Units: 35, 36, 37, 75 SQN List of Operations (We can provide the RAAF badge, SQN crests and emb list of Operations)	M	Q	48
RAAF badge 'RAAF Roundel Symbol of a PC/Networks/Keyboard North Queensland Cowboys Australian Flag Initials or names of family (We can provide the RAAF badge & Roundel and family names/initials)	M	B	49
Navy badge with service details Navy theme with badges from ships- HMAS's Bunbury HMAS Ipswich HMAS Bathurst HMAS Armadale HMAS Glenelg HMAS Maryborough HMAS Sydney. (We can provide the Navy badge with service details and ship badges)	M	Q	50
Loves greens F1, Super Car racing Soccer	M	Q	51
CSO Rate Badge, Toowoomba Crest Purple, Yellow, Green (We can provide the Crest and Rate Badge)	M	LB	52
Cracken/Octopus/Sea Monsters Blue, Grey, White	M	LB	53
Baby Yoda from Star Wars. Green, Black, Light Brown	M	LB	54
Rottweiler (dog) Paw print Chocolate Brown	F	LB	55
Piglet from Winnie the Pooh Yellow, Pink, Blue	F	LB	56
Lama Light colours, yellow, light brown	M	LB	57
Farm with Fox/Kelpie Dog Straw colours	M	LB	58
How to Train Your Dragon Black	M	LB	59
Bluey Characters Blue, Yellow	F	LB	60
Rising Sun 3CER symbol SOER symbol EOD symbol Desert theme with some hills in the background. Served in Afghanistan (We can provide the Rising sun and symbols)	M	Q	61
RAN badge with service details RAN themed Main focus for quilt - family (partner & 2 boys) Premature birth ribbon somewhere on the quilt. (We can provide the Navy badge with service details and images supplied)	M	Q	62
Rising Sun RAAC (Cavalry) Army theme Loves heavy metal bands (Metallica, Slipknot, Linkin Park and Rammstein) Fast cars Watching TV’s & movies Reading History (We can provide the Rising Sun badge and RAAC badge)	M	Q	63
Rising Sun Army/ ANZAC theme Ammo Tech badge with number below (We can supply the Rising Sun & Ammo Tech badge)	M	Q	64
RAAF badge with details Dogs- Jack Russell and other terriers Nature (We can provide the RAAF badge with details)	M	Q	65
Camping   Red, Blue	M	LB	66
Manly Sea Eagles Maroon, White	M	LB	67
F1 McLarin Car Racing Orange, Black, White	M	LB	68
Halo 3 ODST/Toowoomba Crest Yellow, Purple, Black (We can provide the Crest)	M	LB	69
Spiderman & Toowoomba Crest Red, Blue, Black (We can provide the Crest)	M	LB	70
Rising Sun RAAC badge Army themed including tanks (We can provide the Rising sun and Corp badge)	M	Q	71
RAAF badge (3 roles held whilst in service - Military Working Dog Handler, Ground Support Equipment Mechanic and Personnel Capability Officer). Loves Lego (mainly castles) Magic The Gathering card game and Viking heritage. Has a project car, 1989 BMW E30 convertible which has strong sentimental value. (Photo available of the car) Loves his beer too. (We can provide RAAF badge, images of car)	M	Q	72
RAN badge HMAS Newcastle crest United Nations flag South Sudan Flag Deployment text details Love something that shows the desert, the sun and the sea Loves the original movie the Lion King and Simba (We can provide RAN badge, ships crest, United Nations flag, South Sudan flag, emb deployment details)	F	Q	73
RAAF badge Loadmaster Brevet WOFF Rank (RAAF), C-17A C-27J HMAS Canberra. (We can provide the RAAF badge, Loadmaster Brevet, WOFF rank, Badge for HMAS Canberra & images of aircraft for applique)	M	Q	74
Navy badge Navy theme HMAS Onslow (submarine) Explosive Ordnance Electrical Engineering Officer HMAS Brisbane (DDG). Favourite rugby NRL team is Penrith Panthers. Enjoys woodwork by making furniture (We can provide the Navy badge and crest of sub and ship)	M	Q	75
Ocean/Crabs Blue, Orange, Green:	F	LB	76
Surfing  White, Blue, Yellow,	M	LB	77
Camping, HMAS Toowoomba Crest, Blue (We can provide the Crest)	M	LB	78
Dundgeons and Dragons Black, Gold, White	M	LB	79
Capybaras Tan, Green	M	LB	80
Adelaide Crows. Yellow, Blue, Red	M	LB	81
Navy badge NRL Cronulla Sharks, Family picture (image available) French Bulldogs (images available) and beer. Blue colour theme (We can provide the Navy badge and images supplied)	M	Q	82
Rising Sun Skippy badge Army theme that reflects infantry units 5 RAR, 2 RAR, 5/6 RVR and 6 RAR. (We can provide the Rising Sun, Skippy and unit badges)	M	Q	83
RAAF badge Planes, Avionics Technician who has worked on C-130 Hercules, closest to their heart P8 Poseidon F/A-18 Hornet. (We can provide the RAAF badge silhouettes of C130 and FA 18 Hornet)	M	Q	84
Rising Sun Australia Army themed Including poppies Representation of ANZAC Day, but focus on the Army (We can provide Rising Sun)	M	Q	85
Toowoomba Crest Cowboys & or Sailing Ships Yellow, Orange, Red (We can provide the Crest)	M	LB	86
Spice Girls/Girl Power. Pastel Pink, blue, yellow	M	LB	87
Bunnings Logos or Geelong Cats Green (Bunnings) or Blue & White (Geelong Cats)	M	LB	88
Baby Groot Green, Brown, Purple	F	LB	89
Cocker spaniel dog  Red, Fawn or gold colour	F	LB	90
Brisbane Broncos if available 1988 Logo Maroon, White, Gold	M	LB	91
Hobbies & Interests: DJR (Dick Johnson Racing) fan with the Green's Tuff era Bathurst Enthusiast - drives & camps there every year Mini LS 1275 - Hi Ho Silver - 1978 - this vehicle is getting restored Mini Mokes - another project for his retirement Motorbikes  Malvin Star dragstar - has restored a couple Loves Dr Who's Tardis Restored Honda CB 354 - motor bike Enjoys relaxing with a beer - lately it's been Single Fin by Gages Road (WA local beer) Enjoys a scotch and cola Zero Always has a 1.25ltr Cola Zero in his hands lol	M	Q	92
Rising Sun RAAF badge Over the 26 years served in the Army in RAAOC (Ordnance Corp) Also in the RAAF if the design could reflect this it would be appreciated. (We can provide the Rising Sun, RAAF badge and RAAOC badge)	F	Q	93
Sailing Rugby union Sydney swans.	M	Q	94
RAAF badge Aircraft these can be silhouettes C130H Hercules (36SQN) Seahawk Helicopter (816SQN) FA18 Hornet (2OCU) C130J Hercules (37SQN) Units 36SQN 816SQN (Navy) Australia’s Federation Guard 2OCU 37SQN HQ Air Mobility Group (We can provide the RAAF badge, unit badges Federation Guard badge and silhouettes of aircraft for applique)	M	Q	95
RAAF badge RAAF colours and theme (We can provide the RAAF badge)	M	Q	96
Giraffe or Zoo Animals, Green & Yellow,	F	LB	97
Liverpool Football Club Red, Black	M	LB	98
Star Wars Black, Green, Blue	M	LB	99
Toowoomba Crest FFH Silhouette Pink, Red, White (We can provide the crest and ship silhouette)	F	LB	100