Weekly Dispatches - 30th July 2021

  Happy Friday!!!

Well, another week is done. We all hope that you have had a good week. 

Here is the weekly dispatches and I think we can all agree, we have outdone ourselves, yet again. So much colour, creativity and joy included in each and every creation.

I sometimes think I repeat that a lot, but it is always true!!!!

Please enjoy!!!

🌟🌟🌟

This year so far we have sent off 767 quilts 

and that has brought our total since we started to 13686

We have also sent off 1815 laundry bags, bringing our total since we started to over 28641 laundry bags.

👏👏👏

Bridget R

Ann S

Anna C

Lynn F with Blocks by Dorothy C

Bridget R

Clarissa L - 6 Laundry bags

Quilt by Kirsten O and quilted by Alison C

Clarissa L

Ellen N

Keryn M

Q Top unknown quilted by Philomena, Emb by Kay Webster and Clarissa

Raelyne B

Bridget R

Bridget R

Keryn M

Mel L

Ann S

Bev C

Bridget R

Bridget R

Clarissa L

Jenny N

Kathy W

Keryn M

Lyn R

Lyn R

Margaret B

Q top by Bridget R blocks by Ann W and quilted by Philomena

quilt made by Kerry B, quilted by Alison and embroidery by Kerri B

quilt made by Wendy V, quilted by Alison and embroidery by Kerri B

Quilt top Bridget R quilted by Philomena

Raelyne B

Raelyne B

Raelyne B

Raelyne B

Raelyne B

Sue N

Bel D

Heather B

Jenni S

Joanne B - 4 Laundry Bags

Joanne B - 5 Laundry Bags

Joanne B - 4 Laundry Bags

Joanne B - 5 Laundry Bags

Q top by Deanna Li and quilted by Alison C

☆ ☆ ☆

Hope you all enjoy your weekend and 

Happy Sewing Everyone!!!

Quilt Presentation to Veteran Gunner Terry Acreman

Quilt presentation to Gunner Terry Acreman.

 

Remember back to our last Aussie Hero’s thank you dinner? It seems like so long ago, but today, you

can relive a couple moments from that wonderful night..

 

Do you remember the names Terry & Heather Acreman? Terry is the father of late Leading Seaman

Cameron Acreman. Terry gave a moving speech at the dinner about the service of his son, and the

support he received from the Captain of HMAS Darwin at the time of his son’s passing – Captain Phil

Henry, RAN. Terry and Heather acknowledged and thanked Aussie Hero Quilts as they had received a

Fallen Warrior Quilt in memory of their son. Over the past 5 years, Terry and Phil have become close

friends.

Today’s presentation was to thank Terry Acreman for his service. From the very

moment Heather B and Roz G arrived to present a quilt, requested for Terry by Phil, it was

apparent there is a great deal of admiration and mutual respect between these two gentlemen. 

Phil and Terry’s wife, Heather A, had planned a lunch for the party of three, so what better time to

present Terry with a quilt, than while they were at the lunch on the beachfront in Scarborough in the

northern suburbs of Brisbane. Phil, had after all, requested the quilt on Terry’s behalf. It seemed

quite fitting to surprise Terry while Phil was visiting.

 

After initial introductions had occurred, Terry realised Roz had been the other speaker at the dinner

that night and remembered the story and images about the hospital being created in Iraq on

operations. Then the presentation and unfolding of the quilt began. 

Roz G Presenting quilt to terry Acreman

Terry was very much in awe and left speechless initially.

A lot of friendly taunts between Terry and Phil then followed (imagine a couple of adolescent young

men jostling and heckling each other about payback and the comments of ‘just you wait until I come

back with something else’).

 

Terry, thank you for your service.

L to R. Major Roz G, Veteran Gunner Terry Acreman, Captain Phil Henry, AHQ volunteer Heather B.

👏 👏 👏

(NB: Recipients names are usually not mentioned in our blogs, however due to special circumstances permission has been granted) 

Grati -Tuesday 27th July 2021

                                                             Happy Tuesday Friends! 

Hope you are having a wonderful day, and ready for our weekly happy notes and photos! I know I am ready to call it a day, work is keeping me super busy. That's one issue with working from home, getting sucked into meetings later in the evening, over the weekends etc, and ultimately knowing when to call it a day! Sigh... But I am fortunate to be able to do what I do especially in the safety of my home.

How is your week treating you, any highlights?                    

                                                Enough from me, hope you enjoy the read!

....

Hi Bev,

Thank you very much for the wonderful quilt. It arrived in the mail today. I think you will agree it looks fantastic!

Thanks also for sharing a bit about your family and background - it is very interesting to see your long involvement with Defence. This is my first deployment and whilst it is quiet, it has been a fascinating experience. I have a short while to go, then after our quarantine period, I hope to get back to golf!

Again, thank you very much for your wonderful gift and support. I will never forget it.

Kind Regards.

....

Good Morning Ellen,

I just wanted to pass on my gratitude for the laundry bags you have made and especially for the one I received.

I am a Flight Sergeant in the Air Force. I have been in Air Force for 23 years and am currently posted in NSW.

For the next 6 weeks, I am on Operation COVID Assist, helping with the quarantine of international arrivals.

Thank you so very much for the laundry bags. It is greatly appreciated.

Regards

....

Good Afternoon,

I am writing in response to the quilt that was made for me whilst I was off work for 7 months due to a medical condition.

This quilt is something I am going to cherish forever, as it was made for me during a time of struggle. I'd like to extend my gratitude to Denise and Alison, for putting together such a wonderful piece of art. It represents something I cherish dearly, and hold close to my heart being the Australian flag followed by the Skippy badge.

With that said, I thank everyone over at Aussie Hero Quilts.

Kind Regards

....

Hi Toni,

I can't thank you enough for the laundry bag. Besides being very handy during my deployment, it will be a wonderful keepsake for years to come. I absolutely love the design and the F/A-18 that you have included, my favourite aircraft.

I find it amazing that you have made over 200 of these! I am sure everyone that receives one of your laundry bags is as appreciative as I am.

Like you, I have also done a little bit of graphic design, and I put these skills to use whilst on deployment. I have attached my design for Air Forces 100th Birthday Celebration within the Middle East region.

This patch was worn with my uniform by all services during the Air Force Birthday week and is only available in the Middle East base. I really wanted to have one to show my appreciation for your time and generosity that you show by making these laundry bags.

Take care and thank you again.

....

Hi Clarissa,

I just wanted to say a quick thank you for the laundry bag, I received from you a couple of weeks ago.

The bag looks great. It's been getting a workout already and is something I will take with me for the rest of my career. 

Thanks again for the bag, and all the best.

....

Hello Joy,

I am currently deployed to the Middle East Region attached to Air Task Group.

I am an Avionics technician who works on the mighty C130J both at home in NSW and here in the MER. I have a gorgeous fiancée who just recently joined the RAAF as well as in the admin role.

We have 2 very energetic dogs. My partner and I currently have our wedding booked for September next year and are crossing our fingers that COVID will have died down by then for it.

I recently received the Aussie Hero Quilt you made. To say that I was over the moon with it is an understatement. Then reading the letter you sent where you said that you had made 151 quilts and 111 laundry bags was even more astonishing. I can only imagine the time and effort that must go into each quilt.

I was especially excited to see the parachuting boxes of great northern beer that you had added, and the skill of drawing the marlin down the bottom was better than I could have ever hoped. 

I have received my posting order and found out that I have been granted my request of going to Recruit Training Unit. My partner and I are very excited about this as we hope that with a more stable life we will be able to start a family.

I want to thank you greatly for the quilt, it is something I am extremely proud of and cannot wait to show off.

P.S. We have been doing lots of flying around the Navy base lately, with our aircraft. if you ever see it, always know that there will be a smiling techo who is either on board or has worked on that aircraft and is grateful for everything you do.

Regards

....

Hello Helen,

It gives me great pleasure to know people see ADF personnel as heroes. I am very proud to serve Australia and Australian's like you. I see myself as a proud Aussie who is honoured to serve.

I am 39 year old father of 2 boys (2 and 6 years old). Happily married and live in Queensland with our 2 dogs, both 9 years old.

Aussie heroes are amazing and it's people like you that continue to put a smile on mine and ADF member's faces.

Today at one our bases in NSW, RAAF personnel were given one laundry bag each. I am really happy with my bag as this was the one thing I didn't cater for very well. Also I am a big footy fan and being from Queensland, the symbol on the bottom left of the bag looks like a 'Q'. 

For the next 2 days, we are doing COVID training and head back to the barracks to start working with the public.

Take care and God Bless to you and yours.

....

Hello there,

I received one of your Aussie Hero Quilts while deployed in the Middle East in 2012/13 and also a very handy laundry bag. I was an infantry soldier specialising in operating the Bushmaster PMV and combat first aid.

I used my laundry bag all the time while there, and I still l take it everywhere I travel for work! While at home, my quilt keeps my 5 month old boy and I warm through the cold winter nights in Western Australia.

Regrettably, I never did get in touch with Rita, to thank her for sending me these lovely gifts, so I hope it is not too late to say thank you now.

Could you please pass my sincere thank you on to her.

Cheers.

....

Hello,

My quilt arrived today. I am so blown away. It honestly was the best pick me up. I am currently under the weather and this has brightened my day. It is already on my bed.

I will be sending a personalised letter to Sue. She is an absolutely gem!

Thank you so much

....

That's a wrap for this week!

Stay safe and well, and don't forget to like, comment and share :)