This morning I attended a very small (and socially distant) Vietnam Veteran's Day Service locally. Despite the challenges Covid has brought, it was humbling to be able to still stop, attend and mostly importantly, remember the sacrifices of those who died and the 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in The Vietnam War. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.
In keeping with the theme of gratitude, it's also that time of the week (fast becoming my favourite) where we stop to reflect on all the beautiful and creative quilts and laundry bags that found their way to their new home, by reading through the gorgeous notes (and some photos) from our recipients.
Hope you are all having a safe and happy week.
Alex :)
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Dear Clarissa and Janelle,
Thank you so much for my quilt. I absolutely love the design - it suits me perfectly. Thank you for dedicating so many hours into such a great cause. I recieved the quilt on Thursday and was so stunned I didn't have words to describe how grateful I was.
I am 23 years old, have spent 4.5 years in the Navy and am currently posted to HMAS Launceston on Operation Resolute. My fiance of 7 years is at home in New South Wales, with our little Maltese cross papion dog awaiting my return at the end of the year.
After now several months away from family and friends and a very busy ship program, I had just begun to feel somewhat homesick. With the Covid-19 restrictions now in place I'm in a tricky position where I can't get home to see my family without jeopardising months of career work, so I am looking forward to a relaxing family Christmas.
Receiving your quilt really did remind me of my faith in humanity and it reinforced to me why we are up here. In a time, where so much of the world feels out of our control, it was a healthy reminder of the goodness that exists in people.
For myself and all the other crew members who recieved quilts, we say thank you, it really is a special moment and a timely connection to home. I know in the near future we plan to take a big photo lined up on the bow of the ship with our quilts.
Warmest Regards.
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Hello Noelene,
Thank you so much for the laundry bag, it is amazing! I felt bad actually using it. I love it so much. I have 2 boys, 9 and 11 and my youngest is obsessed with Dinosaurs. I have found it easier to get through without my boys surrounding myself with the things they love and the LB has definitely done that.
My job is very interesting, I spend a lot of time talking to other sections and meeting new people, so it makes the time fly.
I will be heading home in a little over a month and cannot wait to hug my boys.
Thank you again,
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Good Afternoon Catherine, Lynn and Wendy,
I have recieved my gorgeous quilt and I am beyond speechless. The quilt is absolutely beautiful and also thank you to Lynn and Wendy for the lovely letters telling me about you both, and the letter from Jan-Maree detailing her military experience and the vision behind Aussie Quilts. Jan-Maree spoke to us female veterans last year at the DVA women's forum and I was truly moved by her story. I also had a bit of a cry when I received the quilt as it is truly special to receive.
I am currently Air Force Reservist serving in Western Australia. I transferred out of the full-time military in 2018 after serving 25 years with 12 of those also in the Australian Army. I commenced my career as a Soldier in the in the Army in 1993 and transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in 2005. My operational deployments include the Middle East, United Arab Emirates along with Military exercises around Australia and overseas. I have enjoyed my career and have had the pleasure of working with exceptional male and females leaders, whilst experiencing challenging situations overseas on deployments. I actively work in Defence Force Recruiting. I enjoy this role being able to tell a candidate that they have been recommended for a job in the ADF. I also run a charity (I run this on my own with a couple of amazing volunteers) helping veterans into employment. To date, I have found employment for 110 veterans.
From a personal note, I have two children aged 3 and 7 who keep me on my toes and my husband is an ex Navy and now works as Search and Rescue Aircrew with the Australian Maritime.
Thank you again for the beautiful quilt, I am truly honoured to receive it.
Kind Regards.
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Dear Clarissa,
Many thanks for the laundry bag you made, it has found it's way to me. I am in the Navy and currently, and most unexpectedly working on the border with the State Police helping to contain Covid. We have had the pleasure of sizeable fall of snow in the past few days. If it's going to be cold I guess we might as well have some snow around! I'll be in the area for about 6 weeks so the laundry bag will definitely get some good use.
Thank you for thinking of Service men and women and for taking the time and effort to make the laundry bags, that's very kind of you and all those from Aussie Hero Quilts.
Best wishes.
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Dear Elaine,
I absolutely love my quilt! The colours are exactly what I wanted and the patterns are beautiful. Thank you so much for taking the time in creating this wonderful quilt for me. It has brightened my day and my room :)
Thank you for sharing abit about your life and family. So a little about me. I am 31 years old and am an Air Dispatcher in the Australian Army and have been for 6 years. I live in New South Wales and posted to a RAAF Base. My boyfriend is also an Air Dispatcher and we live and work together. My mother lives close by, but my father has since passed away. I have three older sisters, who all in New South Wales and are married with kids. I have seven nieces and nephews, with one on the way! I don't have any children myself but I hope too soon.
Thank you again, and take care of yourself and your family.
Kind Regards.
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G'Day,
Just letting you know that my quilt has arrived.
Please pass on my thanks to Sue and Troy in Queensland. They have done an outstanding job and I feel honoured that they would take time and effort to make me such a keepsake.
And again, thank you Aussie Hero Quilts; your work helps brighten not just our drab living quarters bu also our morale.
Thank you again and may you all stay safe and healthy.
Kindest Regards.
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Hi Denise,
Thank you for your lovely quilt I recieved the other day. I'm very excited to try it out when I return home to a less warm climate.
Deployment life is pretty good over here.
Hope everything is going well for you in Australia,
Again thanks for my quilt.
Regards,
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Good Morning Jan-Maree,
Just a short note to say thank you to you and your team for the support you provide to ADF members. In particular, thanks to Georgina who made my laundry bag.
I must say I was a little surprised to be offered the laundry bags for our local deployment to support State Police, but it has been a great asset and I've put it to work straight away.
Thanks again for all your work over many years of support to our deployed members.
Kind Regards.
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Bev,
I wanted to pass on my thanks to those who worked so hard on my quilt.
I was supposed to return to Australia in April this year but only got home to my family late June after the COVID-19 extensions and quarantine. Seeing the quilt and laundry bag when I got home was fantastic. A huge humbling experience to know there are people out there, themselves probably going through significant upheaval due to COVID-19, yet they continue to sacrifice their time and effort for us. Absolutely fantastic.
The quilt is amazing too. I was the difficult 'Man of International Mystery' looking to get my previous heritage in the design. The inclusion of the iconic images for my Irish, British, South African and now Australian heritage is perfect.This is a treasure I will hold dear.
Regards.
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Hi Ruth
I love the laundry bag, thank you!!
I'd like to thank you for all the hard work that went into this awesome tropical laundry bag!! It's too nice to use!
Thank you for the support!
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Dear Ruth,
Thank you so much for the laundry bag, it is so beautiful - I love the colours. It was lovely to read your letter describing how you came across the idea of making the Laundry Bags. I am so grateful, it certainly brightened my day.
Thank you so much!!
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Hi Pennie,
I have received your kind gifts of the laundry bag and quilt. I sincerely apologise for the late response, the Middle East was enduring and arduous, and personally it has taken a little minute to recover and adjust back to Australia.
I have adjusted and I have kept your letter in the back of my mind to remind myself to respond with an email worthy of your kindness. I truly am appreciative of your quilts. It is a tremendous privilege, it is evident that you have spent some time sewing the quilt and laundry bag.
I cannot emphasise enough how much I adore the design, thank you Pennie.
I am a Technician in the Royal Australian Navy. I specialise as an electrician although the Navy trains it's 'tradesman' to be jack of all trades.
I love to travel to Europe each year, I have a German girlfriend so that gives me a reason to travel, learn the language and see her family. I was intending to travel again this year, however COVID transpired.
Once again, I am sincerely touched by your gifts and kindness.
Thank you.
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Good Morning Beverly,
I was lucky enough to receive one of your amazing North Melbourne quilt so I thought I'd write to you and tell you a little about myself and my normal day. I'm currently the Chef on board a patrol boat outside of the Northern Territory. This is my second sea posting with my first being HMAS Melbourne which was a glass frigate that is now decommissioned.
I've done two South East Asia deployments with my first being in the later part of 2018 and my second being the start of 2019. During those two deployments I was lucky enough to have visited 7 Countries. My normal day to day at sea, sees me up at 0400 before the rest of the crew to prepare and cook breakfast and prepare both lunch and dinner for the day ahead. At 0800 I'll clean down the galley then assist the medic on board with a daily check of all medical equipment on board. One of my roles is to provide advanced first aid if anyone gets injured or ill onboard under the medics instructions. At around 1000, I'll start cooking lunch and serve lunch at 1130. At 1215 I'll clean the galley and pack up lunch normally mid afternoon between 1400-1600, if there isn't any boarding drills or operations I'll work out. From 1600 I'll start cooking dinner and I'll nomally pack dinner away at 1900 then I'll reset for the following day and sit down and complete that days paper work.
I'd like to thank you for making such a wonderful quilt that I look forward to sleeping with, I'm a massive North Melbourne Supporter and I've played AFL for the last 17 years. I hope this gives you insight into my life.
I'd just like to thank you again and I hope your family is safe and well during these trying times.
Kind Regards
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Hi Aussie Hero Quilts Team!
I've recently recieved a wonder quilt from Sally.
Thank you very much for the excellent work, I've seen many of our deployed members quilts and laundry bags and they all ecstatic about theirs!
Please keep up the good work on this initiative and your constant support for our deployed members. I hope many of our future deployed member can also share the same enjoyment I had when I received my quilt.
Thank you
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Hello Jean,
I am the Ground Support Technician in the RAAF.
I was pleased today to receive the handmade Laundry Bag you made for me. I have a 9 mth old male German Shepherd at home eagerly waiting for my return.
I have recently moved to New South Wales from the Northern Territory which is pleasant change. I am looking forward to cooler weather but warm enough to enjoy the outdoors and beaches.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment in making laundry bags for the troops currently deployed. Also, your continuous support to all deployed personnel that are currently serving in overseas operations.
It is such an honour to recieve the support and gifts from the wonderful people like yourself back at home and as a Defence Member I am proud to serve my country to help ensure the security and safety for all Australians.
Again, thank you for your generosity, time and support, it is greatly appreciated.
Stay safe and Kind Regards.
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Good Evening Jan-Maree,
I would like to say a massive thank you for the work you and Sheena have put into my laundry bag! It is absolutely stunning and I love the bright colours, the logo and my initials!
It is definitely a personal laundry bag and I can't wait to take it to sea with me next time I sail. It will definitely be a bright reminder of home!
Thank you
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To you, Dianne, Dot and Heather,
Again on behalf of COMD and myself, a big thank you to you wonderful three. You have again stood up to help and support our young service men and women. These bags will be distributed to them before they embark on their support of OP Resolute later in the year.
We are especially thankful for your efforts given the extremely stressful times that Australia are going through.
So again, thank you for your wonderful support to the Soldiers of the Australian Defence Force.
Kindest Regards (and blessings).
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Good Morning Sheena,
I'm just emailing to let you know I recieved both my quilt and laundry bag.
They look great and have already helped me heaps since being here.
You and your volunteers have done amazing work. Thank you for making my deployment that much brighter and colourful.
Cheers.
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Good Morning Chris,
I wanted to thank you for making my Laundry Bag.
I am currently on deployment and the girls in my mess and I all recieved the lovely laundry bags yourself and the others have taken the time out to make. They really brightened up our room and lifted the mood in the mess as all the girls were talking about how nice they are and how special it was to receive one.
Knowing that we have support at home and we have people spending their own time making something for us in Australia really does make this job a little more special.
Thank you again.
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Dear Sue,
Knowing that there are amazing people like yourself that are thinking of our soldiers brings a smile to my face.
Thank you for your selfless actions in devoting your time to create such a beautiful quilt. It is something I will treasure always.
All the best to you and your family.
Kindest Regards.
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Dear Sue,
Thank you so much for the lovely blanket and bag you have created for me. The colours are fantastic and they are both something I will treasure for many years to come.
This has been my first deployment and it definitely comes with it's unique set of difficulties and challenges. The role I have fulfilled over here in the Middle East is in the Force Protection section. COVID-19 has definitely impacted life over here, as I am sure it has back home in Australia as well.
During these uncertain times, I hope you remain well and keep safe.
Again, thank you for the lovely gifts and for the time and effort you put into creating my quilt.
Kind Regards.
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Hi Beverley,
Firstly thank you very much for the quilt and laundry bag. I had a tip from a colleague, who was here a year ago, to order one of these and he raved about it. To tell the truth I was a bit indifferent about it until it came, without doubt it makes me smile almost every time I look at it, I have photo's taken and shown all the family too - Dad had seen a documentary on these and was impressed.
The quilt has been a great morale booster and will be treasured a memento forever - so thank you again it was very appreciated.
Please keep on with the quilts, as above it brings a lot of happiness to people who are often a bit homesick and lacking some non-uniform colour in their lives.
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Hi Hilary,
I am 21 years old and serving in the RAAF. I'd like to thank you for your lovely laundry bag you made, it will definitely come in handy for me!
I am currently serving in the RAAF and posted in New South Wales. I have been here for 2 months so far. Before that I was doing my training in Victoria, and I am glad to have made it out of Victoria before the boarder closed.
As I am writing this email, I am sitting in my room. I arrived this morning for an induction to Operation Covid Assist. Tomorrow I leave for a border to work out of one of the checkpoints, and should be there for a month, but possibly longer. I am very excited as this is my first time on operation with the ADF.
I hope you are doing well. All the best to you and your family.
Kind Regards.
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Hi Sue,
Thank you so much for all the effort and hard work you have put into making my quilt. I was very excited when I saw that it had arrived. I absolutely love it!
We all appreciate what you and Aussie Hero Quilts do for us. Due to covid, we have not had much excitement so these quilts are very special.
I am 22 years old and currently living in New South Wales. I have been serving for just over 4 years now and it has been the best time of my life. I feel very proud to be part of what we're doing over here. I grew up with my Dad having served for just over 28 years.
This is my first deployment and have loved every minute of the experience and the people I have met along the way. Everyone is starting to feel a lot like family but I do miss home and real food.
I hope you and your family are doing okay during these tough times. Stay safe and well.
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Dear Wendy,
I write on behalf of my partner, who recieved your laundry bag the day prior to being deployed to the border 2 weeks ago.
He is in the Navy, and this is our first time that he has been deployed while we have been together. Although daunting, these next few weeks / months will be a friendly introduction to military life as his next posting will be at sea.
Receiving your laundy bag brought a positive moment between us while packing his bags, it definitely made us smile. We wanted to email you to thank you and share the impact that your laundry bag has made.
I asked him why he chose this washing bag, and his reply was that his birth year was the year of the dragon; it was blue; and the least floral.
This year has been so challenging for everyone. We ourselves haven't been able to travel to meet our new nephew. He'll probably be close to around a year old when we see him. I'm lucky to live close to my family, however most of my partner's family live interstate.
Your home sounds absolutely stunning, what a magnificent part of the world. We currently live in chilly ACT, where I grew up. We both love it here and we'll soon be posted to the Northern Territory. We are excited for a new adventure, but I don't think our puppy will enjoy that kind of heat.
I'm certain that this laundry bag will follow my partner when he is back at sea next year and where ever we are posted next.
Our warmest regards and thanks.
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