Aussie Hero Quilts (and laundry bags): September 2017

29 September 2017

Weekly Dispatches 29th September 2017

Hi Everyone!

Well I guess you are all looking forward to a fast and furious Long Weekend!

Watch out, be safe and don't forget that there are Double Demerits points!

Sewing is far safer than driving on a long weekend!

So far for 2017 we have sent off 1335 quilts

bringing our total since we started to over 7,978 quilts

2623 laundry bags for the year

Which brings us to a total of 15680 since we started...

Bridget

Carolyn M

Clarissa

Debbie and Grace (front)

Debbie and Grace (back)

Debbie and Grace

Debbie M

Debbie N

Helen and Pat

Jean B

Joan

Julie

Kate K

Kerry B quilt top, appliqued y Bridget quilted by Abbies long arm quilting bound by Lenore

Kerry B quilt top, appliqued by Bridget, quilted by Abbies long arm quilting, bound by Lenore

Lynn Bridget

Melissa L

Noeleen W

Pennie

Robyn Br

Ruth

Sally R

Sue O'D

Susan S

Tamsin

Thanks everyone for the innovative work. I wish you all a safe Long Weekend and ask you to think about those who are deployed who don't have the opportunity to spend this weekend with their family and friends.

See you round like a rissole

Shelley

Last Day To Buy Your Dinner Tickets.............. Don't Miss Out.......

G'day all

Have you bought your tickets for the Annual Aussie Hero Thank You Dinner??

Today is the last day so here are the details for the last time....

The Aussie Hero Quilts Annual Thank You Dinner is almost here. The purpose of the dinner is to show those who sew for us that they are truly appreciated by the members of the Australia Defence Force. The event creates an opportunity for our sewers to meet and chat with members of the Navy, Army and Air Force in a social setting and each year has a lasting impact on the attendees.

Quilters are traveling to Canberra from all over Australia from all over the country, from WA to QLD, SA and Victoria. This is the sixth year we have had a dinner, the first being 20 people at the Hornsby RSL in 2017. This year we are hoping for around 200 guests.

During the evening you will have the change to bid on a number of exciting Auction prizes, not the least of which is the opportunity to commission your choice of quilt.

We would love it if you could join us. Everyone is welcome.

Where and When

ADFA Officers’ Mess

1830 till 2230

Saturday 14 October 2017

Please note, this is an all ranks event.

Format

The evening will be a cocktail style event with your meal, soft drinks, tea and coffee included in the price. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the bar though we are hoping to have some donated wine available for your enjoyment.

Dress

Navy: W2 Winter Ceremonial with medals

Army: 1B Ceremonial Service Dress with medals

Air Force: 4A Ceremonial Dress with medals

Civilian Equivalent

I know this dress is rather formal but this is part of the gift to the quilters, many of whom rarely meet a recipient, let alone see one in uniform. This will be a very special experience for them.

Ticket purchase

Tickets cost $50 per person. This cost will cover the cost of food, soft drinks, tea and coffee as well as minimal expenses involved in running the event. There is no fund-raising component included.

Please deposit the cost of your tickets to the Aussie Hero Bank Account as follows.

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags)

BSB 032 376

ACCT 301 860

Can you please reference your deposit with your surname, and if possible, DINNER. (If numbers are required please notify me via email what reference you used.

Finally, please email a copy of your receipt to the coordinator, Joy (joyellenhodges@gmail.com) and I (friendsofAHQ@gmail.com) We would also like to know if you are a recipient, sewing contributor or other supporter.

Ticket sales close Friday 29 September

Laundry Bags for the dinner.....

I know I mentioned it way back when I first wrote about the Dinner weekend and all the things we are doing over the weekend but now, with only a couple of weeks to go, it is clear that people are starting to make their laundry bags and have forgotten what I said. Not to worry - here goes.

If you are attending the RMC or ADFA tour you need to bring a laundry bag - an Aussie theme will be great please.

You do not need to bring a laundry bag to the dinner.

One laundry bag for everyone who attends the tour of ADFA or the tour of RMC Duntroon. Someone will be nominated to collect them at each venue.

Also, I know I have asked people who would like to bring a quilt/laundry bag for display on the night of the dinner.... you do not have to bring one. It is entirely optional but i do need to know in advance.

I think that is all...

Any questions let me know.

Cheers and take care

Jan-Maree xxx

A thank you from the CO of HMAS Darwin.

The lovely crew that embroider the badges that we include in many of our quilts and bags are often the unsung heroes of Aussie Heroes. That includes Cindy who digitizes the patterns for us. We just could not do what we do without all their help which the CO of HMAS Darwin has recognised with his letter.

Till next time... keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree xx

28 September 2017

Bundaberg Quilters

The lovely ladies from the Bundaberg Quilters sent us a batch of quilt tops in recent months but with the special projects we have been working on and now the organisation for the dinner, it has taken me a while to get around to writing this up.

This is just a sample of their lovely work. Huge thanks to all the ladies involved. Your support is much appreciated.

.....

Nimble fingers have been providing warmth to our serviceman and women who risk their lives to fight for our country, and now quilters from Bundaberg have joined in.

Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags was started by NSW-based quilter Jan-Maree Ball as a way to thank our Defence forces for their selfless service and the call has been heard in Bundaberg.

Bundaberg Quilters’ Carol Ann Ferguson said in a single day the group of 27 produced 15 quilt tops and had another five almost finished as part of the Aussie Hero Quilts event.

“It was a fun day for a good cause,” she said.

“We thought we would join in and help too because we like to have community involvement at all levels.

“It’s significant because so often Defence personnel go and they feel forgotten.

“We get fabulous emails from the men and women when they get their quilts and laundry bags – it seems like a small thing but they really love them.”

She said the group received requests for favourite football teams, colours and more.

“We send quilts off when there are bush fires, when there are floods, when people are left homeless and those situations.

“We became aware of this (Aussie Hero Quilts) because Jan-Maree had a lot of these quilts stored in her house to be sent off and there was a fine in her house and over a thousand quilts were destroyed,” she said.

“So a call went out that we needed to build up our supply of quilts and that’s why we were pushed a little bit more.

“We though if we do some here that will contribute to the accumulation of quilts that can be sent over to them.

“Sometimes the soldiers or the sailors, when they send in their requests, say ‘don’t send it to me, but I’d really like it sent to my wife at home’.

“So it really does mean a lot to them – we were surprised by how much it does.”

Huge thanks to all the ladies from the Bundaberg Quilters!