Words on Wednesday 15 Jan 2020

Hey all, 

We have a bumper crop of wonderful messages to read this week... enjoy!!!

.....

Good morning Jan-Maree,

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the quilt and laundry bag I received from your foundation.

It is such a wonderful idea what you do and certainly I very much appreciated it. In particular the creativity and quality your volunteers displayed.

The very amazing thing in addition to this is the people who made both the laundry bag and quilt were well known to me from previous life experiences, I actually received some nice hand written letters and notes from those people saying hi, so it was a very nice touch. Unfortunately there was no return address to thank them personally so in addition to thanking you could you please pass on my thanks to:

1. Sandy C
2. Cath Hpr,
3. Janette G, and
4. Di G.

Please see an attached photo, I am a bit old school so I have actually hung up the quilt as a tapestry style wall display. Something similar with the laundry bad although I am holding it here for the purpose of the photo.

I wish you all the best and again, express my sincere appreciation for you and your volunteers efforts.

Sincerely,

..... 

Dear Ellen,

I received your quilt in the mail today. It is absolutely fantastic. I am so impressed at the skill you have to be able to make it, and truly appreciate the time and effort that has gone into it.

Many of the pictures remind me of home, and actually made me a bit emotional! Thinking back, when I was ruminating about a theme for the quilt I had just been talking with my family at home on the farm. They had been preparing for harvest; my sister was going to be driving the header, my older brother would be driving the truck and my uncle would also be helping. My dad would of course be running the show. It is always the best time of year at home, long days working in the heat and dust but always lots of fun, and always a few cold drinks at the end of the day even if it was past midnight. I don’t get back for many harvests these days, and I was feeling a bit melancholy at missing out on all the action, so thought I would like to have something that reminded me of the farm back home. The quilt has done exactly that.

My dad is a horseman who always wears an Akubra, so the man on the horse reminds me of him. It is always good to see a few sheep, and we have many windmills and tanks like that on our farm. The rest of the pictures around Australia remind me of something I think regularly over here: we live in the greatest country in the world and really should be grateful each and every day for that fact.

I enjoyed hearing about your travels, it sounds like a lot of fun. I also enjoyed hearing about your family’s military history. We have it good these days compared to what they’ve had to endure in previous generations. World War I history is an interest of mine and I’m always fascinated to read about and try to understand the conditions they were faced with; your grandfather would have experienced significant hardships and have had some great stories to tell. They just got on with it though, without too much fuss.

I have three little girls at home in Sale who are about the same ages as your grandchildren: 7, 5 and 2. They received a kitten today as an early Christmas present which they’re over the moon about. I’ve attached a photo to the email. It is going to be very interesting. I don’t think things in our house will ever be the same again. I miss them and it will be hard missing out on Christmas with them, but I will be home soon and look forward to spending as much time with them as I can.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. As my Grandpa always says, and I’m sure you’d agree, there is something special about daughters and I hope you get to spend some time with yours. My younger sister (not the header driving one!) is actually studying medicine at the moment. Believe it or not, she has four (that’s right) kids, all under 7, one of them born only three months ago, and she has just passed her second year of uni with flying colours! She has always wanted to study medicine, so she is just getting on with it.

Thanks again for the quilt (and the letter). It’s something I will be able to keep as a reminder of my deployment for a long time. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas.

Regards,

.....

GDay Joan,

First and foremost, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the blanket you made and sent. You were spot on; it was for my daughter who loves unicorns and pony’s. You could imagine I fell off my chair when I read your grand daughter’s name is the same as mine and loves unicorns also.

I sent the blanket home to her just the other day. To say she loved it would be an extreme understatement! Your time and efforts were appreciated and to see the enormous smile on her face really made my day. Thank you

I can relate to your brother looking forward to news from home. I do admit we have it better now days with Skype and emails. Its nice to re connect with loved ones back home and keep abroad of home life.

50 years married! Well done. My wife and I had our 13^th while I have been away. It is the first time we haven’t been together for it. A pretty good claim being a Defence member.

To give you a quick in-sight into myself I am deployed in the Middle East Region. We make up a small maintenance team in charge of maintaining and supporting operations of the E-7A Wedgetail. It is a Command and Control aircraft that, once airborne, co-ordinates all the aircraft as they conduct their missions. I am an Avionics Technician and responsible for the electronic systems on the aircraft ranging from systems to allow the aircraft to fly safely to systems that allow the Wedgetail to achieve mission taskings. If you have 5 mins you can google the aircraft and you will see the distinctive white “surfboard” that is the aircrafts radar system used for these taskings.

Keep up the great work Joan. I can’t express the joy and love that is felt receiving a custom hand sewn quilt from a stranger, for no reason other than to say thank you. I’m proud to be here doing this job to contribute to the region and world stability and you have helped to make that job easier.

Thank you

......

Good morning Bridget,

I would just like to pass on my thanks for the beautiful quilt, it is perfect and is something I will treasure forever. Attached is a photo of me holding it up.

The work you and others in Aussie hero Quilts do has an incredible effect on morale over here and the look of joy on people’s faces as they open their box and see their quilt for the first time and then show it off to all those around them is something really special and something you should be very proud of.

The letter included (and my favourite red frogs!) is a very personal touch allowing us an insight into your lives.

As a bit of background on me, I have a 10 year old son who is starting year 5 next year. I have been in the Air Force for 14 years and this is my second deployment, the last was 9 years ago when he was just 1 years old. Grumpy’s was a music venue/bar that I owned with my fiancé’ in Melbourne for 5 years. We sold the business just prior to me deploying and it was at the right time as we both wanted a chance to have our weekends back without having to spend every waking minute at the bar. It was a wonderful experience and one that had a positive impact on many people’s lives and is sorely missed but it was time to move on, this quilt is a beautiful reminder of all the wonderful times and amazing gigs we had there.

Thank you again for all your efforts, it takes a special and selfless person to dedicate such time and effort to create such beautiful pieces.

Regards

.....

Good afternoon Shirley,

I just wanted to thank you for your letter, box of goodies, and most of all my Geelong laundry bag (excited most about this).  The bag is amazing, I really have no other words for it I am so thankful for the bag and have been using it since the day I received it, I am just rapt with it thank you so much and I have to say you very talented,  I have received a lot of amazing comments in reference to it.

I am the chief administrator for our task group over here in the Middle East, I have been in the Army for 6 years (after joining at the age of 17, now I am 34) and this is my fourth tour of the area.  

It’s great that you are involved in the RSL, and even march, it is such a great asset for veterans and their families, a lot of good comes from the branches.  I know for a fact all the serving members appreciate that.

Thank you again for your package and hearing about your family, it has been an absolute pleasure.  Thank you so much and Merry Christmas, I hope you and your family have a sensational period and break.

P.P.S. I think the Cats are going to have a great year in 2020, the premiership here we come.

......

Dear Roz,

I’ve only just unpackaged the beautiful quilt you and Alex have made for me, and I wanted to write a thank you note while all the feelings and gratitude are fresh!

Thank you for absolutely nailing the Australian animal theme! I don’t think I could have imagined a better ay to get Aussie animals on a quilt, in such vibrant colours - And then, imagine my shock/surprise that I actually know the creator of this amazing quilt!

Ive been deployed since October, and I think I can already say that unboxing my quilt will be one of my top 3 awesome deployment moments.

Rest assured that this quilt will be working hard over the winter months ahead of me, and I will certainly cherish it for many years to come.

Thanks again to you and Alex for your excellent work. I really love it so much and I’m touched by your efforts to ‘pay forward’ the support for deployed add members. I’m so honoured to have received the first quilt you’ve created. The recipient of your next one doesn’t know how lucky they are yet!

Best wishes to you and your family for the festive season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

.....

G'day Sally,

I received my quilt today and it is fantastic! I deeply appreciate the time and effort you took to create such a masterpiece for me. To coin an Aussie phrase "That is going straight to the pool room." I am humbled by the generosity of my fellow Australians and what you do for those of us serving overseas

After reading your letter I couldn't believe the turn around time either - you must have the fastest sewing hands in the east!

You may be pleased, or even surprised, to know that your package made it's way to Juba, South Sudan, as I am supporting the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Australians are members of the Navy, Army and Air Force and I am the Regimental Sergeant Major or 'senior soldier' for the Australians on mission. The military component of the mission current comprises around 14,500 troops from 63 different countries and although the mission 'language' is English the diversity makes for some interesting communication challenges - especially those of us who speak 'Aussie English'! 

The fires back in Australia have made the South Sudanese radio news and have even featured on Al Jazeera, Being a NSW country boy I am keenly aware how the fires affect the community. I hope those people you know who are affected by the fires remain safe.

Once again, thank you for the time you have taken to produce such a wonderful quilt.

Kind regards

.....

Dear Toni

Thank you so much for the beautiful laundry bag!  It was a wonderful surprise to receive it on boxing day 😊  I really like it – thank you so much.  Red is my favourite colour.  I think it might stem from being in Red House when I was in Infants and Primary School (not a very deep name, but clear) and then in Araluen House in high school whose colour was red!  And I love the poppies that evoke remembrance for me.  The photo is me just outside my accommodation here in the UAE.  The other photo is of me in the chapel in Kabul with the Chaplain there and you can see 4 of the quilts Aussie Quilts have made for the chapel which are just beautiful.

I have a three sons – one is 27 and married with a son and another on the way.  Another is 25 and married with a son and daughter and the last is 23 and married in July.  

My wife and I have been married for 37 years.  I went to Duntroon straight after high school and was in Ordnance Corps – 26 years in the regular Army and then grew up to be a Chaplain for last 15 years.  So this is my 41^st year in the Army. 

My deployment has gone quite fast and I will be heading home mid-January.  It is the first time I have been away for Christmas, which was sad in one way, but good in another as I was able to share with all the troops who are away and help them cope,  

Thank you once again for the wonderful laundry bag.  It is great to be appreciated and I know everyone who gets one of these feels very special.  Hope to perhaps meet you sometime when I am home.

Trust you had a great Christmas and wishing to a prosperous New Year

Warm regards

....

Hi Ellen,

Firstly I would like to apologise for the for the time it has taken me to respond. It has been a hectic time leading up to and post getting the quilt. I have discharged from the army after 16 years of service, sold our house in Brisbane, moved to Canberra, started a new job and to top it off, we are expecting our first child next month.

 My wife requested the quilt be made while I was in Iraq / Afghanistan last year and I absolutely love it.

As I said, I served in the Army, where I met my wife, for 16 years and only as recently as last month discharged to start a new career. I was fortunate to deploy 4 times and went to Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.

I would like to thank you again and let you know that anyone that is lucky enough to receive a quilt from your group is extremely grateful for the time and effort that you put in. Please keep up the great work.

......

For Kristie...

Morning from Afghanistan 

I have recieved the laundry bag and it is great love it great work.

I love the creativity of this laundry  bag and very excited  to see what the quilt has in store this gift has made my day and my Christmas  I hope you and your family had a great xmas and I good coming new year the deployment  over here has been good alot of new experience  and skills also any chance to help others in this world that are not as well of as we are and didnt have a choice and being able to give there freedom back is always a win.

Afghanistan  you can easily tell in the past this country was a beautiful  place and would have been a massive holiday destination  with the mountain scenery

It's a shame to what this country has turn into but there is always hope and hope is a strong value 

Anyway  thanks again and I look forward to the quilt.

Regards 

......

Hello Bronwyn

Today I received the most beautiful quilt in the post!

Thank you so very much for your fine work and generosity.  I was absolutely thrilled – you met the brief perfectly!

Thank you also for sharing such a newsy and interesting letter. You also write beautifully and I found myself drawn into your words. I can imagine you are a very successful and sincere teacher – what a satisfying career it must be.

I have now been in the Middle East Region for a few months so I am on the last phase. It’s been very busy period but an incredible life and career experience.

My  brief story is that I am serving two years as a Navy Reservist. I joined the Navy in 1987 and transferred to the Reserves in 1998. Ever since then I try to keep my attachment with Navy and volunteer time around my work commitments.  In my civvie life, I own my own management and logistics consulting business. I truly love being associated with Defence and am honoured to be working over here as part of the Joint Headquarters. 

I live on the Sunshine Coast with my husband but working in Sydney with the Navy for 7 months when I return.  I often hit the road, so I’ll be sure to be in touch if I come through Echuca. My husband and I were there about 7 years ago over a Christmas period. We walked down by the river and enjoyed the beautiful shady park.

I hope the heat abates for you and your animals. We all feel for how our country is suffering whilst we’re away.  Hopefully 2020 will bring some rain.

Thanks again Bronwyn. I will treasure my beautiful gift and sleep well with it covering and protecting me at night.

......

Good Afternoon Clarissa,

You have sent me a wonderful laundry bag. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner I’ve been doing some training as I was in the Process of Corps Transferring.

I went to Kapooka on Jan 2011 and have done 8 Plus Years in Catering Corps.  My wife and I have a little girl.  She will be one in January I transferred to become an Air Dispatcher. which the only location for that is Sydney, and will be perfect for our daughter to grow up and not have to move all the time.

Just wanting to say a big Thankyou to all the ladies that give up their time to Sew and it really does make a difference when other defence members receive there quilts  And laundry bags :).

I hope you had a good Christmas and I hope 2020 bring you lots of joy and happiness.

Kind regards

.....

Dear Alison,

Thank you so much for the wonderful quilt. I love how you have portrayed each spacecraft through their respective specifications and accompanying lore. I am always amazed by what fans can achieve through pure passion when it comes to bringing what they love to life. I am familiar with a few of the vessels (USS Orville, USS Enterprise and Millennium Falcon) which means there’s several more shows that I need to catch up on now. I think the quilt turned out perfect and just in time too, I believe you made the right decision to send it when you did as I am due to redeploy soon and am not sure if it would have made it over here in time otherwise.

Thank you again and kind regards,

.....

Dear Helen,

I am a Lieutenant Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner currently serving in HMAS Dechaineux. I was fortunate enough to receive a laundry bag from you mid 2018, which I am very grateful for.

I held on to your letter (that came with my laundry bag) as I always intended to reply with a letter of my own however time has slipped by and it is now New Year’s Day 2020. My apologies for how long it has taken to write to say thank you.

Since receiving your lovely laundry bag (the bottom 1/3 is blue with stars and the top 2/3 is a blue and white with a fish pattern) it has sailed around Australia with me in 2018 and sailed to Japan and Malaysia with me in 2019. In 2020 I am expecting to deploy twice and my laundry bag will be with me on both deployments.

I hope your family, children and grandchildren had a safe Christmas. I have been keeping a close eye on the bushfire news and I hope you are all safe. I am glad to hear you are enjoying sewing with Aussie Heroes and you have been able to attend their dinner at ADFA as well as tour HMA Ships Newcastle and Farncomb.

I can only imagine how appreciative the Invictus team were and I am sure they were timelier with their replies to you than I have been. The Invictus team are a true inspiration and each member of the team all have incredible stories.

Thank you again and all the very best for 2020.

Kind regards,

.....

Good Morning Margaret  

Thank you for the wonderful quilt that you’ve made especially for me.  It arrived ten days after your thoughtful letter was posted.  To receive the quilt on Christmas eve has made it all the more significant, so thanks for your dedicated work as I know that such wonderful work does take a significant amount of time.

My time in the Air Force commenced October 86 so that spans over 30 years so parole is coming up soon.  During that time, I have worked in many places around the work including the Exmouth, Katherine, Cocos/Christmas Island, Vanuatu, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Anchorage, San Diego, United Kingdom and Europe.  Although they are great places to travel to, it does make me realise that our country is so special to return to.  I am not quite sure what await me on the horizon, but I am assured that the last five year of my career will be just as fulfilling. 

During my time in Camp Baird in Al Minhad, UAE I will be responsible for the aeronautical maintenance (everything that makes the plane fly) on the E7-A Wedgetail Aircraft (as pictured below) as part of Operation OKRA.  This aircraft is responsible for Command and Control of air assets in the Middle East Region, it is a pretty good bit of kit and it gains a significant amount respect from our partners operating with us.  Our maintenance team is a diverse group of people with the same goal of doing our job to the best of our ability.  

  Obviously, we will miss our family and friends over the Christmas period, however, our rotation will celebrate the day by having a Kris Kringle, so everyone in our team will get a gift to celebrate the day.  It will be the third time that I have spent time away from my family which is pretty good for a 30-year career in the Air Force.   By the end of this trip, my sixth to the Middle East I would have spent almost two years here. Other than my work here I do get the opportunity to go into Dubai which breaks up the routine of living on base.  Dubai is a city of contrast with ancient souks to plush malls.  I prefer the souks in the Old city as you see such a diversity of people living their life. Whereas the Malls, seem to be a blur of expensive shops which most people would find beyond their means.  

Thank you for giving me an insight into your family’s connection to the Yass community.  If my mail is correct you and your family have been lucky not to experience any significant bush fires; however, Summer is only in its’ infancy so I’ll cross my fingers to ensure that you escape that misfortune.  Hopefully there is some rain on the horizon that will provide a green tinge to the parched land.  Although it is very dry in the Yass district, I can only assume that you have an advantage of having some trees for your landscape, it is very drab here and the absence of tree makes that all the more significant.

Once more thank you for your dedicated work.  I hope that the rest of the festive season will be shared with family and friends.

Best wishes

.....

Good evening,

I write to you upon receiving my hand made Aussie Hero Quilt whilst on operations in Afghanistan. 

The effort your team has put into making quilts for my team mates as well as myself is nothing short of brilliant. 

Id like to thank the whole team for taking the time and effort for making a quality quilt with an impressive design. 

The snow has just come in with the new year and the quilts are deffinatley going to get some use with warm nights ahead. 

The work AHQ does not go unnoticed and on behalf of the troops on deployment, thank you. 
.....

Dear Susan P,

Thank you so much for your laundry bag!!  It is beautiful and much loved, in fact I needed one when I arrived as my other one was too small.

Currently posted to RCB in Malaysia where we are going to conduct our jungle training.  A daunting and intense prospect.

I’m 22 years old, been in the infantry as a reservist for almost 4 years now.  This is my first time leaving Australia with the Army and it is my absolute priveldge to do so.

Very exciting, just started and I’ve got 3 months to go!!

Again, thank you for your help and your letter.

Regards,

PS. Keep doing the good work you’ve been doing, the diggers appreciate it. 

.....

Good morning Pennie,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I just wanted to send an email to say thank you!!! Your beautiful quilt arrived yesterday and I was so humbled to receive the quilt and your lovely letter! I love the design and I appreciate the effort and thought that you put into the fabric. The flowers and gum leaves are beautiful! 

I can't believe that you give back to the community as an emergency nurse and then give so generously to serving personnel in your down time. You are an amazing woman! 

I also enjoy visiting Europe. I went last year as my partner was also deployed and we meet overseas for his leave. I will also depart for Europe again in one week to spend my leave him.  We are doing London and Scandinavia. I hope you enjoy your next Europe trip. Good luck with your French. I'm trying to learn Spanish whilst deployed. It's not going very well.

Thank you once again. Seeing the quilt when I return to my room each day always makes me happy!  

......

Dear Robyn

A card and some local gifts to say thank you for the beautiful laundry bag, it made my day. The colours, fabrics and attention to detail are amazing. We truly appreciate all the effort and talen that goes into the quilts and laundry bags.  I want to thank you and all the other volunteers on behalf of all ADF colleagues.

Warm regards
.....

And then this message from Sue N who received a delightful surprise visit. 

On Monday morning I had a lovely surprise, 3 people at my door, Tom G, his partner and their nearly 1 year old baby. Ollie. Hugs hugs hugs.

Tom had received a random laundry bag from me whilst he was on HMAS Hobart. In it was a card I made with my details. He chose his laundry bags from a pile on the table. When he read the card, amazing coincidence, This is where his partner used to live and her parents still do.

  This is how when they were down here visiting her parents they popped in to say Hello!

They popped into Spotlight South Morang first, very excited to buy me some fabric and some cord so that I could make some more laundry bags and make more people happy. They told one of the assistants  there who they were buying the fabric for and of course all the staff know me very well and told them that I was one of their best customers! What a lovely thing for them to say.

 I showed them my sewing room, my facebook of Aussie Hero quilts and laundry bag photos page and they could see just how passionate I was in what I do, they were interested in the quilt I was currently working on and were so impressed and amazed that each quilt is so different. I explained that the quilts were as individual as each person, that the choices made were from their own descriptions, some liked their favourite sports, some to depict their time away and some for family members, totally their own choice. I told them they were very welcome to pop in anytime they were down here.

......

Dear Sandy,

Thank you so much for the amazing quilt!  I received it yesterday and thought it was spectacular!!  I have showed it to a number of my colleagues and sent the photo to my wife.  It is SOOOOOOO good.  Can you tell I really like it 😊

Thanks so much for doing it quickly too as it was special to receive while I am still deployed.  I have been quite busy and recent developments in Iraq has meant a lot of extra work for the Headquarters I am part of.  

I have been married for 37 years (my anniversary was while I was deployed) and we have three sons – 73/4 married with one grandson and another one on the way; 25 ¾), married  with a grandson 5 and granddaughter 2; and third son 23 ¾ married last July 

I am due to come home in a short while.

Once again, thank you so much for the fantastic quilt.  I really appreciate it.

The Lord Bless and Keep you

.....

Hi Jenni

Wow I have just received my Aussie quilt and a  BIG thank you to you for your generosity and wonderful work. It’s pretty and the Australian Native pattern reminds me of home. It will go straight onto my bed tonight

You have most definitely filled my request. I had a few soldiers hold each end for me  for the photo and everyone thinks it’s pretty.

Being on Deployment over Christmas and New Year is a strange experience and can invoke a lot of emotion.  Being here also made me realise that Friends and family and truly thee essence of Christmas.  But saying that, we made the best of it and sang carols on base and then went into midnight Mass. Christmas lunch was delicious and everyone on base had an opportunity to sit down for a yummy feast.

Things are always up and down in the Middle East so it’s a case of putting my head down and focusing on work until I return to Australia and my home base.

Again , thanks so much Jenni, your quilt put a huge smile on my face and  also showing everyone else on Base was fun. Everyone thought it was awesome.

Also what a special surprise to also receive a Care package from you. I filled up our  office bowl with lovely treats to share with everyone.

Take care and hope you like the pic below of your handiwork.

Regards

......

Well done Lynn and the Mystery Quilt Group.  Another happy customer.

.....

Dear Jo, Di and Sandy,

Thank you so much for my amazing quilt and laundry bag, I believe my running buddy back home organised this as a surprise.

Shortly after arriving in theatre, I nominated myself to complete the 1000km running challenge whilst on Deployment, on the 22 Dec 19, I achieved this challenge.  This was quite

hard considering the summer heat was in the mid 50’s till mid Oct, then workload was ramping up from late Oct till Christmas.

I will be heading home on 02 Jan 20 after completing 4.5 mths away from my family.  I have 2 boys 6yrs and 3yrs, my husband who is also a serving member in the RAAF and 2 dogs Shadow (Border Collie) and Willow (Cocker Spaniel).  This is my first deployment and it has been a great experience.  I have learnt so much about the work we do over here and so much about myself too.  

I run for my little boy who has a condition called Neruofibromatosis (NF1) which is still unknown to many.  I use my running to raise awareness and donations for the Children’s Tumour Foundation Australia.  Before leaving I made sure all tests (eg. Brain, spine MRI) were done on Grayson to ensure I could comfortably deploy and know he was going to be ok during my absence.

I have served in the RAAF for 10 yrs and hope to continue my service for many years to come, 

Everyone over here absolutely love the work that Aussie Hero Quilts provide to Deployed service men and women.  It is such a significant piece of art that reflects each and everyone’s interests and personalities. 

I wish you all a fantastic Christmas and I hope you have a safe and prosperous new year!

Yours truly,

.....

Dear Jenny,

Firstly, I would love to say Thank You, I absolutely love the laundry bag. The love and attention  that you have done shows within it, I hope that I can do the same by looking after it for the rest of my life.

A bit about myself,

I am wonderfully married to a very supportive wife with one daughter aged 10 but almost 11 in April. Although my wife is very supportive, it drives her crazy at times but we make it happen and have been for 15 yrs. My beautiful daughter, loves to do arts and crafts and recon she would love to be part of aussie hero, getting to make things especially for deployed soldier as she already knows to well what it's like to have a father on deployment. (but I am going to tease her about my beautiful laundry bag)

I have served in the ADF for 15 yrs and still manage to keep up the young ones, well try... My role is a system operator that provides communication for the battlespace, this allows command and control of ground troops. At times I find it challenging, probably the same as you did when you were working as a nurse. My current posting is Darwin. I have been there for almost 3 yrs, at the completion of this year I am hoping to be in Sydney where I can work on HMAS Canberra.

Jenny, keep up the wonderful work and on behalf of the soldiers, We do appreciate what you do and we will never forget what you have done.

 Thank you Again...

......

Hi Ellen

I hope all is well with the fires and your family. Your all in my thoughts. Ive attached a photo of my quilt. Thank you once again. It made my tour and time so much better receiving this. Reminded me of home, my mates and my kids. Iv finally started my journey home.

.....

Hi Janis,

Thank you so much for the quilt it is better than I could imagine, the support I have had from back home has been amazing and this is just another reminder of this.

I recently went to Liverpool as part of the 2 week break we get and managed to go to a game (Liverpool vs Brighton) and it was an amazing experience.

Thank you again for the quilt.

Regards,
.....

That is all for now. Stay safe out there all of you!

Til next time... keep spreading the word and happy stitching

Jan-Maree xx