Grati-Tuesday 8 May 18

Hi all, sit back and enjoy reading some of the reasons why we do what we do.

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Hello Dianne,

Firstly thank you very much for my Melbourne Demons Quilt, I love it so much. It matches my Doona cover and Pillow Cases.

My best mate is so jealous, he wants one now (First world problems when you’re a civilian) LOL.

I have attached a Photo of me with my Quilt, can you please also thank Sandy and Mary for me.

When I get back to Australia, I’m getting posted to Queensland (Married Unaccompanied), so this will take pride and place on my bed. My wife will shake her head, but it’s a little bit of creature comforts that we all enjoy.

Again Thank you and please keep up the great work.

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This laundry bag was on deployment last year, now it is seen here down the coast pulling duty with the family whilst on holidays.  

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Hi Bev and Geoff,

I received the sausage dog quilt and laundry bag the other day and it is awesome. I put it on my rack straight away even though the temperatures here are well over 30 degrees and it is a bit warm to have it on. You guys do an amazing job and I hope you know how much we appreciate your efforts. This is my fifth deployment to the Middle East but it is the first time I was able to order a quilt. I have been in the Navy for just over 26 years with over 15 of that at sea so it is the little things people do that makes a difference when you are away from your family. This is my first 9 month deployment as we normally only do 6 month ones so has been a bit harder than normal with people a bit more emotional due to the extra time away. When they told us to put in if we wanted a quilt I did so straight away I was so excited.

A bit about me, I am 49 years old and am a Chief Petty Officer Electronics Technician I am the Weapons Electrical Department Regulator which basically means I supervise 27 other personnel and do the day to day management of the Department.  I love my job and have never been in a position where I have been bored as it is always changing. I am from XXX originally and this is where most of my family are. My mum lives there with my 2 sausage dogs, who are my babies and make me smile every time I see them. When we are alongside in Sydney I try and get home every weekend and leave periods to spend time with my family. I am looking at retiring early at 55 so I can still be pretty active to do the things I want to do when I get out. I am more than likely not going to travel too much when I get out since I have spent most of my life travelling in the Navy and just want to settle at home.

Again thank you for your efforts we really do appreciate it. It is amazing to see grown adults get so excited when a box arrives in the mail with their Aussie hero quilt. They revert to their childhood and then have to run around the ship showing everyone how amazing their quilts and laundry bags are (myself included).

I took a photo of mine straight away and emailed it home so I could show my family and they thought it was great.

I had better go, keep up the good work it is appreciated and you do an awesome job.

Regards,

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G’Day Jean,

Firstly I want to thank you for making me a Laundry Bag out of the goodness of your heart. I was truly overwhelmed at receiving this item during whilst in Kabul, Afghanistan. I can assure you it made my day & I showed it to lots of soldiers. I have just returned to the ADF Base in Dubai and will serve here for a few months, but have been lucky enough to get a 4 day trip into Iraq for some work. Will travel there on 26 April. 

Once again, I want to thank you very much for taking the time and effort to make this Laundry Bag, which I’m now using frequently. It makes a trip to the laundry that little more enjoyable :) 

Kind regards,

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Hi Jean, 

The laundry bag is great, thank you so much. I really appreciate your effort to make something for me whilst I am deployed. I always brings a smile to my face to know that people back home are thinking about us. I love my job and I love serving my country, it is an honour to represent you and all other Australians working towards a better future. Once again thank you for your support.

Cheers 

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Good Morning Gail,

I just wanted to write a short email to say thank you so much for my laundry bag, I received it whilst I was on my recent Chaplains course in Canberra, Jan Maree was kind enough to bring them herself. It was wonderful to hear about the great work you do. I use my laundry bad regularly at home and also my lolly bag which another member of Aussie Hero Quilts made for me.

I’m sure you have a ball in your sewing group when you meet. Your work means a lot to me and many other members of defence.

Thank you again

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Hey Jenny,

Thank you for the quilt that you made for me it is great, definitely brightens up the plain room that I have here. I am a vehicle mechanic but I work with fitter armourers daily. Thanks again for the quilt and the tim tams it is greatly appreciated by everyone here the work that is done by everyone who makes them. 

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Good afternoon Lyn,

I am the proud recipient of the beautiful quilt you made for me.

I just wanted you to know how thankful I am for the gift you've given me, as it'll always remind me of the time spent overseas and the sacrifice of all the service men and women before me.

With warm regards,

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Hello Raelyne,

Thank you very much for the quilt which you have sent out to me here in Iraq. You’ve done such a great job. The colours really do remind me of an Australian bush autumn, the deer is a terrific center piece and the fact you managed to sneak in the sheep and border collies on the back just topped it all off!

I’ll treasure the quilt forever as a fond memory of how alive and well the ANZAC spirit is.

A family member thanked me yesterday (ANZAC Day) for being over here and making the sacrifice so that we can enjoy the Australian way of life.. My response was that it’s all worth it for family and friends.

All those who have come before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice fought for the same reasons that we do today – for our family and our friends. But the ANZAC spirit is so much more than that. The ANZAC spirit is exemplified in just saying “thank you”, it is all the wonderful care packages and letters that we receive from great Australian’s, it’s the Aussie Hero Quilts, it’s the doctors and nurses and school teachers working tirelessly to keep Australia going. The ANZAC spirit is embodied in any selfless act done in good faith for our family and our friends; that’s the ANZAC spirit and that’s the legacy that we are all custodians of. It was born with our great nation, verified on the beaches of Gallipoli and now cherished by each and every one of us; it’s an iconic part of our culture.

Thank you so much for contributing to the ANZAC spirit and thank you for my quilt!

Best regards to your family and enjoy the Portland autumn – I look forward to getting home to enjoy Australia soon too!

Regards,

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Gday Rita, hope this email finds you well.

I’m a soldier currently serving in the Middle East. I have recently received my hero quilt made by yourself. I’m just emailing to say thank you very very much for the quilt and for the time you have taken to make it. It is fantastic.

It really does mean the world to us that someone like yourself takes the time and effort to make something like this for us and let’s us know that others appreciate our service outside of our family and friends.

I will be heading home from this deployment soon enough and I plan to give my 2 year old son, Lachlan, the quilt on my return. He is obsessed with all things trucks, diggers and planes, he points out every single piece of machinery we drive past and yells “digger” and he looks up every time he hears a plane or helicopter and points at it and watches it til the horizon. I think he will love the quilt even more than I do and I'm sure it will be used for quite some time yet.

Again thank you very much for the quilt and for the time and effort you put into Aussie hero quilts, we need more like you in this world.

I wish you all the best, take care.

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Dear Debbie,

As a way of introduction, I am a Flying Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). I have served in the RAAF for over 10 years now and have deployed on operations to Qatar, Unit Arab Emirates and Afghanistan. As you are aware I leave at home in Queensland my wife and three children 11,8 and 5 - the same characteristics of your own family that have since grown up with two girls and a boy.

Unfortunately, it never gets an easier leaving my family behind but coming back to my room to see this amazingly thoughtful quilt you have created, certainly feels like my family are now right alongside me after a hard days work. It was a very emotional time opening this package and seeing the thought that you have placed in this quilt. I would be lying if I said I didn’t share a tear, I sincerely thank you for your generosity and time you have invested, it is certainly comforting and reinstates the reason I continue to serve our amazing country.

I am certainly looking forward to returning home to see my family for a short break to Fiji in a couple of weeks  prior to returning to Egypt to finish the remainder of my deployment. 

I will serve six and a half months in the Sinai with the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO). The MFO is made up of the following 12 nations: Australia, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay. We have 27 Australians from ARMY, RAAF and NAVY who are employed in a multitude of specialist roles to ensure the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace is adhered, with a long-standing history of war between the two nations.

Your parcel has endured a long journey that as it has made its way from Australia to Al Minhad Air Base (24km south of Dubai) to Sharm El Sheik (South Peninsula of Sinai). I can’t emphasise enough the positive impact that Aussie Hero Quilts and the volunteers who support this foundation are having on the Australian Contingents deployed across the globe.

I want to sincerely thank you for your generosity in providing a magnificent personalised quilt, that provides an impression of home that makes life away from my family all that more bearable. Your artistic display in the form of a quilt will be a keep sake that will stay with my family for the rest of my life and follow me throughout my career.

I can’t thank you enough Debbie and it is an absolute honour to have received a quilt that you have made.

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Hello Debbie,

Firstly, my apologies for not responding sooner to thank you for making the Aussie Hero Quilt and laundry bag for me. I received these items towards the end of my tour and since returning home, it has been a very busy time integrating and moving to a new location to commence a new job.

I was very impressed by the quality and design of the quilt and  laundry bag that you made, they look fantastic and are the best quality quilt and laundry bag I have seen. Receiving the quilt from you whilst on operations was a highlight of my tour, it will take pride of place on my bed.

Thank you as well for providing me your brief bio and family history. I am impressed by the length of time your Father and Brother In Law served in the military, I thank them for their service.

I am glad to be back home; unfortunately I am based in Darwin whilst my family reside in Brisbane until my two children finish high school.

I am proud to serve Debbie, but I am more proud of Australians such as you, who support our deployed forces, spending your spare time to make something the troops will treasure during their deployment and when they return home.

All the best to you, Robert and your extended family.

Regards

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Hello Tasmin,

First I would like to say the hugest Thank You in existence to Susie, Hilary and yourself for the absolutely amazing job you did with my/Hudson’s quilt. You make my role as a Father much easier with an awesome, one of a kind gift like that.

I have now been away on deployment with HMAS Warramunga since October last year and am scheduled to get back to Sydney in July (I can’t wait!).  I’m a member of ‘Boarding Party’ and to date we have seized and destroyed over 1.5 billion dollars of narcotics on this operation (google HMAS Warramunga). We have two more patrols left and we’re hoping to seize as much as we can.

I do sincerely apologise for the late reply but I really hope my gratitude is felt through this email.  

Thank you once again, Tamsin. You guys certainly made this long deployment a little easier with your act of kindness.

A wise woman once said ‘Keep up the great work.’ I will if you do too.

Kind regards,

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Hello Sandy

I just received my quilt in the mail and it is so beautiful. I just want to say a huge thank you to you and your team. 

Again thank you for my beautiful quilt, I know that it will bring me a smile when I need it the most. 

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Good Morning Ellen and family

I was the lucky person on HMAS Warramunga to receive the amazing Quilt and laundry bag you made.  Thank you so much for the time, love and happiness that I can see you put into my gift.  It brings me great joy.  I am not sure if how you knew that I like the ‘odd’ glass of wine, but it brought a massive smile to my face when I was looking at all of the finer detail that you put in.  Thank you.

I have also had family that have served.  My grandfather on my father’s side was a gunner in the Army during WWII.  He was taken as a POW at the fall of Singapore.  He was one of the lucky ones that returned home. My Mothers Father worked with the British and American Forces in London during WW2, not really sure what he did, I think it was a bit of a state secret.

I have also had 2 uncles who served in the Army and Air force.  My eldest brother was a pilot in the RAAF for many years.  He served in Timor.  I think in the beginning of me joining the ADF, is that I picked the Navy so I wouldn’t ever have to be put in the position of Saluting them.  But thinking back now, I find it is the perfect fit for me.

I joined the Navy at the age of 28 in 2007.  I am an LSML-P on board.  My job entails everything to do with Human Resources.  I mainly look after the Pay and Accounts and anything financial on board. Out Commanding Officer says that the Supply and Logistics department have the most important job on board.  It is our responsibility to take care of the crew.  We are responsible for feeding them, their medical attention, paying them (that’s me), providing their stores so that they can fix their relevant systems.  It can be a lot to take on, but we have an amazing group of people that we take care of.

As well as all of the paperwork, we have auxiliary duties of line handlers for boat evolutions, being part of the Ships Medical Emergency Team, Replenishments at Sea, and Flight deck team (basically tying down the Helicopter when it lands to it doesn’t fall off the back of the ship).

Your trips away with your husband sound like they are well deserved.  I think that after all the time that I have been away over the last two years, my annual leave of when I get home will be sleeping, sole control of the remote, showering without thongs on, and enjoying a glass of wine in my courtyard with my animals, (Battlecat and Stupid (real name Sonny, but he is so dumb).

We are not too far away to be heading home soon.  It’s just over 2 months.  It’s very exciting.

Thank you again for your fabulous quilt and laundry bag.  It is my third trip up here and I have only ever received a laundry bag, so the quilt is going to take special pride in my memento's.

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Hi Connie,

Just received your package today and am stoked about the laundry bag you have made me.

 It will be something i’ll pass onto my daughter later on. My wife also being a swans supporter will love it.

Little bit about me as well. I have a daughter who is 4 years old and my wife. 

I enjoy surfing, music and sports.

Thanks again for the laundry bag and goodies. Keep up the good work. Really does bring a smile to people faces.

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A lovely one for Jo H (NSW)

Ma’am

Thank you very much for the quilt. Its safe to say I love it and I can see that you have put in a lot of effort to make it thank you very very much.

This was my second deployment but the first time that I had received gifts like this from the public and I can speak for the rest of the task group that was with me that support like this goes along way in making the time away feel shorter.

Kind regards

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Dear Katie,

Thank you for the lovely quilt and laundry bag. I received them today and it certainly put a smile on my face. You have done amazing work on these. I admire the skill needed to achieve such perfection. Thanks for all you do. The work is much appreciated by deployed troops. Your Easter sounded better than mine, that’s for sure. I spent my Easter moving to my new posting locality and the effort that all is. At least im in cooler conditions now having moved from xxxxxxx. I wish you all the best and again thank you for these beautiful gifts. Much appreciated!!

Regards

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Dear Mrs W,

I am a chef on board HMS Warramunga. Last week before sailing on our current patrol of the Persian Gulf, I received the most amazing gift of the beautiful laundry bag that you so generously made for me. Words cannot express my gratitude to you for taking your precious time and skills to make this gift for me. Along with the treats, it was a little piece of home that I dearly miss. There is nothing quite like a Tim Tam anywhere in the world.

I have been in the Navy for 21 years and have served on Submarines, small boats and warships. The operation we are currently on has seen us be away from home since the of October last year and has us returning in mid-July. Not long to go now. We have seized and destroyed $1.5 billion worth of illicit narcotics, gained valuable experience, develop international relationships and make us, as proud Australians, well respected in the Middle East region. These are the stories I will tell my friends and family.

I will send a picture of myself with the bag once we have connectivity gain in our next port. It will become a lifelong treasured gift that I will hand down to my son and to future generations.

I have hand written a letter however the mail from here does take some time I wanted to express my thanks to you much sooner than that. I will keep your letter and if I am ever in the Gold Coast area I will definitely give you a call. My wife has family there and we are in the area fairly often. I am based in Sydney but my career does have me move around a fair bit but that’s what we do I guess.

Again, thank you to you and your husband for the most selfless and beautiful gift. It means so much to me.

With warmest regards,

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Hello Chris,

Before I get into the email I would just like to say the hugest THANK YOU in the world for all you time and efforts. I love my ‘Laundry Bag’ that much that I have not, and will not use it to put dirty clothes in. I have not thought of an appropriate use as of yet but my three year old son Hudson is absolutely obsessed with Buzz Lightyear and I know he will love it.

As I mentioned I have a beautiful little man at home, an older Sister and a younger Brother.

I have now been away on deployment on HMAS Warramunga since October last year and am scheduled to get back to Sydney in July (I can’t wait!).

I’m a member of ‘Boarding Party’ and to date we have seized and destroyed over 1.5 billion dollars of narcotics on this operation (google HMAS Warramunga). We have two more patrols left and we’re hoping to seize as much as we can.

I am more of a Rugby League fan and I am an Eels support and we are doing terribly this year. I barrack for the Swans but my partner plays aussie rules and she is mad about Collingwood (Don’t worry, she gets heaps for it).

Chris. You are an amazing, selfless, caring lady and I know by the act of kindness you have shown me that all eight of your boys are extremely lucky to have you in their lives.

Thank you from everything that is me.

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Hi Jan-Maree,

The Quilt and Laundry bag have been received. I have sent a thank-you email to the two ladies who were nice enough to donate their time.​ Both are of good quality and the pattern did not disappoint.

Thank-you for your time to set this up and allow our soldiers to receive something special and something they will cherish for a number of years to come.

Once again thank-you for your time and services. I am glad I finally have one to display.

I will be passing you details onto my replacement in July with a lot of praise.

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Dear Clarissa,

I am a Flying Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). I have served in the RAAF for over 10 years now and have deployed on operations to Qatar, Unit Arab Emirates and Afghanistan. I leave at home in Queensland my wife and three children.  Unfortunately, it never gets an easier leaving my family behind but receiving a laundry bag along with your message of support is certainly comforting and reinstates the reason I continue to serve our amazing country.

Your parcel has endured a long journey that as it has made its way from Australia to Al Minhad Air Base (24km south of Dubai) to Sharm El Sheik (South Peninsula of Sinai). I can’t emphasise enough the positive impact that Aussie Hero Quilts and the volunteers who support this foundation are having on the Australian Contingents deployed across the globe.

I want to sincerely thank you for your generosity in providing a magnificent personalised laundry bag, that provides an impression of home whilst capturing the time I will spend serving in Egypt. Your artistic display in the form of a laundry bag will continue to follow me throughout my career.

Warmest Regards,

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Hi Sue,

Thank you so much for your Quilt I am very impressed by it. I am a mad Collingwood and Cronulla fan, and the Cronulla symbol matches that tattoo I have over my heart from when they won the Premiership in 2016.

My mum was a mad Collingwood fan as well, she died on Mothers Day 2016, so is looking down on me with glee I am sure.

My contingent comes home in Sep, so still a bit of a way to go, I go home on leave in July can not wait for that, I miss my wife and grandkids so much, I am from a small town in NSW.   I have been in the Army now for
a very long 30 years, with ten more to go till retirement, I have been all around Australia with the Army. I have three adult children, my wife and two grandchildren.
Again thank you  for all you do for our servicemen and women it is greatly appreciated.

Regards
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Hi Cath,

The quilt has been received and my first impression was wow, what a good job. I have seen a few through friends on mine that have previously deployed and you have not let the standard down.

Considering the explanation of how this quilt was made, you certainly have done an awesome job and maintained a high standard in quality.

The colour scheme works well and the design is well done. Still Manly enough to look at.....lol.

I would like to thankyou for giving your time to make these quilts for our serving soldiers who are deployed overseas. I'm sure it is something that we will all cherish for time to come.

My American counterparts are very jealous with the support you give and had nothing but good things to say about the design and quality.

 The only small suggestion I can make, is maybe packing the quilt in a plastic bag or some type of protective, as it seems my package may have got wet as the yellow from the Medical CORPs badge ran onto the white material.

This isn't a big thing, it is still an awesome job.

I hope you continue to give your time to make soldiers feel special whilst away from their families. The gesture is muchly appreciated and I'm sure your efforts will be cherished for time to come.

All the best for the rest of 2018.

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Dear Jan-Maree,

 I wanted to email you to thank you and your merry sewers for the amazing work you do for our deployed members - and more notably, myself! My sneaky best friend requested a quilt for me and it arrived in the mail today. What a parcel just full of absolute happiness! Talk about a day of morale haha.

 I've attached a photo with the most Australian thing I could find here in Afghanistan to show off the amazing work done by you and your team. A huge thank you and all my love from afar!

 Keep up the awesome work.

What a great selection of messages and photos!  

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

Jan-Maree xx