Grati-Tuesday 28th February 2023

 

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Welcome to the last day of the month.  I hope you have an awesome week so far!

Have a few thank yous today including photos so we can see where our quilts reside!  Its always great to see them on a rack or bed and especially the smiling faces of the recipients!

Grab a nice cool beverage or cuppa, some chokies, sit back, relax and savour these beautiful messages! 

...

Good Afternoon Heather B!

It's a sunny Saturday here in Perth and I was having a rather slow day of duty on HMAS Farncomb when I was delighted to see that a package had arrived for me with my Quilt!

I absolutely love it and I am very pleased that I was finally able to get a quilt of my own!

A bit more about me, if you'll indulge me. I grew up on the south coast of NSW and joined the Navy in 2016 straight out of high school as a Submariner entry. I attended the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra and studied a bachelor of business. Afterwards I served on HMAS Launceston out of Cairns and Darwin for Operation Resolute, completed my training as a warfare officer in Sydney, and moved to Perth in 2021 at the back end of COVID after only having been once before on a short trip to commence my training as a submariner. I have come to love Perth, her beaches, cafes, restaurants and parks very much, especially in summer. I have found my time on submarines to be equally challenging and rewarding, with our 7 month trip last year taking us to from Perth to Sydney, Hawaii, Guam, Japan and Indonesia. 

Swimming sounds like fantastic hobby to maintain, I really should get into it myself. I think post swim coffee would be enough of a temptation to keep me enthused. I hope now that covid has calmed down you will have a lot more time to get those trips in that you have planned! 

I have attached a picture of me with my quilt on the boat today!

Thank you very much again,

Warm Regards,

...

Dear Lynn F, Arthur F, Philomena H and Aussie Hero Quilts,

I was absolutely delighted to get the knock on the door this morning and see that my quilt had arrived. I was blown away by how wonderful it is, it is more than I anticipated, I love it so much  you did such a wonderful job and absolutely exceeded my expectations. It is perfect!! 

Spending time away from home in stark rooms like the picture attached that I stayed in on the weekend will be made so much more homely with my quilt that I can take with me. I have at least 12 weeks away from home next year and can't wait to take my quilt with me to brighten up the room and let it be a reminder of the wonderful work that you do to, from the love of your hearts, you are truly special. 

I'm sure my beautiful quilt will also be a talking point amongst my peers. 

For now though it will take pride of place in my home and keep us warm over winter when I'm cuddling my 3 children on the lounge 

Thank you so much again, I'm not sure I have the words to let you know how much this quilt means to me. It will be treasured.

...

Dear Sue N,

Thank you for my quilt and the extra surprise of a laundry bag. 

You will have an email, which might seem random but that is Willow, she tested the quilt before I could. 

I’ve just got back from 3 weeks at sea, and your parcel arrived the day after I sailed, thus the delay in me emailing you and thanking you for such an amazing gift. 

The laundry bag will be coming to the ship tomorrow and I will take the quilt on in a few months time when I sail again. 

Both the laundry bag and quilt are amazing and arrived so fast. Thank you for taking the time to design and make it for me. 

You are a very talent lady.  I googled where you live, I’ve never been that way, but that’s no surprise since I was raised in Tassie before joining the Navy.  Mid next year I will be departing Sydney and heading back to Victoria. With my husband (who is in the Navy) and to our home. He will be heading back to Victoria at the end of the year. Which means the 2 fur children will depart with him, both are spoilt but have kept me company the last 2 years that he has been away at sea, not they will do the same for him

Take care of yourself and your family. 

Thank you so much for the amazing quilt

I think this cutie has called 'dibs'

Apparently not!  The recipient sent this a few days later with comment 

'Ready for when I sail next. Thank you again for it'

...

Hello Noelene W (and Jim),

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I received my laundry bag yesterday.... thank you, it looks great... I love the ANZAC theme too!

I discharged due to injury from the Army in 2012 after a little over 21 years.  I injured myself in Timor and I'm positive I would still be in if not for that as it was all I ever wanted to do from a very young age. Since getting out I have been doing security work at a Defence site... pretty mundane stuff but it pays the bills. I'm actually waiting to hear back about a couple of jobs I applied for last year... fingers crossed!

My wife is from the this area so we moved back here when I got out of the Army... it's a nice place to raise the kids - we have one of each, 17 and 16.

Again, thank you for taking the time to make my laundry bag... it certainly is a one of a kind and I know I will put it to good use.

Sincerely,

...

Dear Wendy B,

 

Thank you so much for the wonderful Laundry bag (and snakes!!!!). It is brilliant

 

It will cop a lot of use as we gear back up for operations.

I am the Engineering Officer on Leeuwin and it is a little strange as I am an Electrical Engineering Officer (WEEO) undertaking a role that has predominantly been a Marine Engineer (MEO). My cohorts aboard Frigates and Destroyers are responsible for the Weapons, Radars, computer systems and communications with the other Engineer (MEO) looking after main engines, generators etc… I am fulfilling both roles (well we do not have missiles or large guns) so will be doing a lot of walking to cover the systems every day – in the tropical heat. I am still a Tasmanian lad so the heat and humidity have a tremendous impact. As such I can honestly say this incredible bag is most appreciated and shall be used continuously.

  

Kind regards

...

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  

Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

27 February 2023 Request List

Good morning,

At last!!!  I have just received some of the request from troops on Operation Kudu (training the Ukrainian Soldiers in the UK) but I will need to source some badges and edit some content so they will not all be on the list until next week.  

For this week, we still have some priority requests – Numbers 1-16 are for members who are deployed overseas and we want to get their quilts to them sooner than later, given that their mail can be very slow.

Numbers 17-24 are our new requests from Op Kudu.  Some of them ask for the 5RAR badge which is the Tiger below and others request the Ukrainian Trident, pictured below.  You will also see requests for flags including the Ukrainian flag. We can embroider small versions of the flags in most cases but the Ukraine flag is easy to applique as it is only two rectangles.

     

Here is the request list for this week. Happy hunting. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy.

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 3 April 2023 please, or earlier if you can manage this.  If you cannot make that date, please let me know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or the other. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know BEFORE you post it.  Also, if this time frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss, thank you.    

Request Information

When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable.  A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours and include only one of their interests.  It is fine to keep it simple. 

If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated….i.e. one of the following please….  There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list. 

Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there.  We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.   

A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the PMKEYS number given you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.  The PMKEYS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g.  the 7-digit number in bold below. 

CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432 

TG 3456 

AFPO XX 

ADF 

Sydney NSW 2890

Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender -  the PO Box is a safe place in the event of  any mishaps with postage. 

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) 

PO Box 248,

Cherrybrook, NSW 2126 

Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name and PMKEYS of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops.  I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring. 

If you are using a AHQ supplied prepaid satchel please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney.

Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination. 

Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you. 

Helpful info may be gleaned here  http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/2019/07/information-post-for-those-that-sew-for.html    I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off. 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.  

For example…. 

Marvel Theme. Ironman     M       LB      1 

This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request.  If you find it hard to copy and paste, please copy the line out as above.  

Decoding The Columns 

The first column is the theme or preferences requested. 

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient. 

The third column is as follows. 

B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish) 

Q= just a quilt 

LB = just a laundry bag 

F= female 

M= male 

Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions....Just email friendsofahq@gmail.com  

Looking forward to seeing what you want to make this week. Happy stitching! 

Cheers, 

Jan-Maree

P.P.S.  Don't forget to check out AHQ on the Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Iron Maiden (The band)	M	Q	1
Essendon Football Club / ANZAC theme	M	Q	2
Egypt/Australia Mix. (Pyramids, Sphinx, Australian Flag and Egyptian Flag / MFO Logo (We will supply the MFO Logo)	M	Q	3
Green, White, Red (Italian Colours)	M	Q	4
Dark Blue, RAAF crest, Airforce Theme with kids name on it. (We can supply the RAAF crest)	M	Q	5
Military style suitable for a child with some toy planes, cars, army toys and slouch hat.  Soft pastel colours  (cream, light brown, brown, green) We also have a german shepherd dog.  Please include my son's name.	M	Q	6
Rising Sun Skippy Badge, dark colours , Black , Grey, Blue , infantry green/ red.	M	LB	7
3 verticle strips of blue-yellow-red (RAEME Colours) with the RAEME Badge.	M	Q	8
ANZAC & Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) theme (Poppies, Pyramids, Australian Flag (We will supply the MFO logo)	F	B	9
Navy ANZAC theme,  "We Will Remember Them" Navy Ode on it. (We can supply the Navy Ode as a patch to be included)	F	Q	10
Australian National Flag, ANZAC theme, Rising Sun, Skippy badge Melbourne Storm (NRL), St Kilda (AFL) Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) along the bottom if possible. (We will provide the Rising Sun and Skippy badges)	M	Q	11
Australian National Flag, Rising Sun, Regiment,  Small Egypt and Israel flag, Green and gold background (We will provide the Rising Sun and Regiment badges and I think we can provide small flags)	M	Q	12
Army Theme. Australian Nation Flag, Skippy badge, Small Egyptian and Israel Flag (We can provide Skippy badge, Small Egyptian and Israel Flag)	M	Q	13
Newcastle Knights Logo, MFO Logo, Australian Flag, RAN Physical Training Instructor Rate Badge, Pug dog.  light blue/white but not too fussed with colour or pattern. (We can supply the MFO logo and the Physical Training Logo is easy to applique)	M	Q	14
motorcycles, Surfing, Crossfit.	M	B	15
Ocean themed, sea animals, blue shades and colours, sea shells, sand and sun	F	B	16
Black, Aussie Flag with Ukraine Flag, OP KUDO 2023 under "United with Ukraine" written at the bottom (We can provide an Op Kudu 2023 patch)	M	Q	17
British farming theme, paddocks and livestock, 5 RAR Tiger, Skippy badge, Ukrainian trident, Flags  - Ukrainian, UK and Aus. OP KUDU 2023 (We can send you the 5RAR Tiger, skippy badge, small UK and Aussie flags, and embroidered patch that says Op Kudu 2023)	M	B	18
Poppies OP KUDU 2023 with silhouetted soldiers on top of the poppies with Aussie flag and Ukrainian Flag (We can provide a patch with Op Kudu 2023)	F	Q	19
Black/night sky with the Southern Cross with the flags of Aus, Ukrainian, UK, NZ, OP KUDU 23	F	LB	20
5 RAR Tiger logo "OP KUDU 2023" Aus Flag, Uk Flag, Ukrainian Flag. names across the bottom. (we can send you the Tiger logo, Op Kudu 2023, small flags Ukrainian flag can be appliqued, names can be appliqued)	M	Q	21
5 RAR Tiger logo "OP KUDU 2023" Aus Flag, UK Flag, Ukrainian Flag.  Aus flag, UK flag NZ Flag, Ukrainian flag, Nickname (we can send you the Tiger logo, Op Kudu 2023, small flags Ukrainian flag can be appliqued, names can be appliqued)	M	LB	22
Text “1 HB Bat”, Ukraine Flag, OP KUDU 2023 ROTO 1, Medical Corps badge. Border collie dogs, HSV cars (we can provide Embroidered piece with Op Kudu 2023 ROTO 1 and the medical corps badge)	F	Q	23
Anything big game fishing or the Witcher logo with Ukrainian Trident and 5 RAR logo (we can provide the 5RAR logo)	M	LB	24
dark blue, light blue, black, silver, orange Historic motorsport, Formula 1, Walking (especially in rainforests etc) Old World War 2 aircraft and love the AP-3C Orion aircraft"	M	Q	25
The RAAF Crest and WOFF rank to be included. 38SQN with the Caribou aircraft and 10SQN with the Orion aircraft. “OP Helpem Fren Solomon Islands 2004”. Blue and green. Passionate North Queensland Cowboys supporter (we can supply RAAF and squadron crests, silhouettes of aircraft for applique and WOFF Rank, Text “OP Helpem Fren Solomon Islands 2004”. )	F	B	26
Traditional patchwork, RAAF ensign, Boxing Kangaroo. royal or dark blue, grey or gold,  RAAF crest, Australian Flag (We can supply the badges and boxing kangaroo)	M	Q	27
RAN crest with personal details below, a Navy theme would be amazing HMAS Success, Sydney and Manoora. I also did OP Slipper in 2002 in the Middle East on Manoora. I also served in the HS ships Leeuwin and Melville. (We can supply the ships crests and the RAN crest)	F	Q	28
Brisbane Bronco’s or an Air Force theme, (transport aircraft) including C130 Hercules, Caribous, and C-17 Globemaster. RAAF crest. Very passionate angler and love my lure fishing also as a theme (We can provide the crest and )silhouettes of aircraft for applique)	M	Q	29
RAN crest, naval flavour and/or snowy mountains HMAS TOBRUK crest  Op ASTUTE 2006 Op CATALYST 2007 Op SLIPPER 2006 -2007 Op RESOLUTE 2007 (WE can supply RAN Crest, the Tobruk crest and an embroidered patch with deployment details)	F	Q	30
RAAF crest, military/air Force theme and has worked on C-130's, P-3C Orion's and currently works with F-35's at 75 squadron which has the magpie on their unit crest. Please include Grandfather's service details Red poppies and the Australian flag. (We can provide the RAAF crest and the 75 SQN crest, and silhouettes of the aircrat for applique, and an embroidery of the Grandfather’s details)	M	Q	31
RAAF Crest, the Roundel, 26 SQN crest. RAAF 100 year anniversary patch, RAAF Toowoomba Cadet Flight Crest,  Childrens names and DOB. Children's photo,  some of our iconic aircraft would be fabulous. (WE can supply crests/badges/embroidery of children's details and children's photo. We can also supply silhouette of aircraft for applique)	F	Q	32
Geelong Cats, RM Williams & ARIAT fan. Rising Sun and artillery badge (WE can supply the badges)	M	Q	33
likes animals and is a dog trainer.  He just recently got his light aircraft pilot’s licence and likes to fly his drone.	M	Q	34
RAAF crest, aircraft worked on - HERC, Falcon, Hornet, hawk, spartan or 37sqn, 34SQN, 77SQN, 2 SQN (before planes arrived ) 35SQN, 76SQN ..he loves Holden cars, Star Wars, star trek, scotch (whiskey make his own home brew-spirits ) Remembrance poppy (We can supply the RAAF crest and crests for the air force squadrons. alternately we can supply silhouettes of aircraft for applique) any mix of the above	M	B	35
Rising Sun, Army but served on HMAS Kanimbla. HMAS Kanimbla crest and JMCC Wagon wheel. (We can provide the Rising Sun and Kanimbla crest, JMCC wheel easy to applique)	F	LB	36
RAAF crest, Training System Officer (TSO) patch.  Likes purples, red or blues. I would love something that shows the locations I have served: VIC, ACT, SA, NSW and Ohio in the USA. Married to a serving Air Force engineer and we have grown children - 2 girls and a boy. Two spoodles, photo available (TSO patch and dog photo already printed.)	F	Q	37
RAN Crest, Op Catalyst 2004/05 Op Falconer 2003 Op Slipper 2002 Op Slipper 2011 Crests for HMAS Darwin, Toowoomba, Anzac, Childers, Broome (Commissioning Crew), Maitland, Ararat  (We can supply the crests and embroidery of the deployments )	M	Q	38
RASIGS badge, WRAAC badge, Rising Sun. United Nations flag and MFO badge. Swimming Running Basketball High Jumps Volleyball (We can supply the badges)	F	Q	39
Army theme please. Rising Sun with personal details and deployment details below. RAAC badge 3/4 Cavalry Regt Flags for Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor ( we can supply badges and small versions of the flags)	M	Q	40
I love dancing (swing dancing and latin), travelling, hiking, animals, sailing. TSE 108, Sapper Quote, RAE badge. Grew up in Berlin (we can supply RAE Badge, Sapper quote and TSE 108)	F	Q	41
surfboard/surfing' themed and/ or any "ocean/beach"	M	B	42
Navy Theme including Crest, Op Resolute TSE 108, Darwin (city), Navy Pilot - Flying (both fixed wing and helicopters) (We can supply the Navy crest and OP Resolute TSE 108 text.)	F	Q	43
Beach, Surfing and Beers theme with TSE 108 written on it. Rank, Name and PMKEYS could be nice on the quilt.  (We can have personal details embroidered on a patch to include)	F	Q	44
purple, camping, fishing, reading, kids cats romcoms – "Love Actually" Favourite place in the world: Greece	F	Q	45
yellow Golf and gardening Cats Fav Person: Queen Elizabeth Fav Country: Vietnam	M	Q	46
Green Eating and Gym Dogs and Cats Favourite genre of TV shows/movies: Action	F	Q	47
Favourite Colour: black Radio (Presenting), volunteering, teaching, writing/ journalism, all things IT, going on walks, going to cinema Favourite place in the world: Vienna	M	Q	48
Cooking, Camping, ANZAC/Blue	F	Q	49
Camouflage, RAN crest, Navy theme	F	Q	50
Star Wars / Green	F	Q	51
ANZAC / Blue	M	Q	52
Winter Sports / Blue	F	Q	53
Banana's in Pyjamas/Yellow/Blue	M	Q	54
Curious George / Yellow	M	Q	55
Lilo & Stitch / Blue/Black	M	LB	56
Brisbane Broncos Maroon	M	LB	57
WALL-E (Grey/Blue)	M	Q	58
Canadian Alps (White and Blue)	M	Q	59
Poppies	F	B	60
Blue, Sports	M	Q	61
Red White  Blue  Green Gold Army, Rising Sun, Australia Flag, Skippy Badge, RSAR Badge, AMCU Camo. (we can supply badges and some AMCU Camo)	M	Q	62
Staffy dogs and pineapples. With some military aspects like Lest we Forget, RAAF crest (we can provide the crest)	F	Q	63
Navy blue, turquoise, black, silver, red.    Tennis, surfing, sports cars, super hornets (we can supply the silhouette of a superhornet for applique)	M	Q	64
Colour – Tan, desert theme, Op Okra 2017-2018, RAAF Crest/ 33SQN Crest – Australian Flag (we can send you the crests and embroider the Op Okra details)	F	Q	65
Blue, sports, fitness	M	B	66