30 May 2023

Grati-Tuesday 30th May 2023

 

Happy Tuesday Friends!

It is that time of the week again. Grab your tissues this week, you are going to need them, I know I did!!!

Grab a
 cuppa, s
it back and enjoy some well deserved gratitude!
...

Good morning Pat G,

 

I received the quilt and bag today and thanks for your time and effort for making them according the night sky and stars theme I requested.

I really like the Southern Cross on the quilt and the colours were perfect.

I am an aspiring Navigator and the Mariners Compass on the bag will be a symbol of inspiration to achieve my goals now.

 

I am great full of your support, which will help me overcome challenges of being separated from family and friends for long periods of time while at sea.

 

Yours aye,

...

Hello,

 

Thank you, my quilt arrived the other day!

 

Thank you so much for it! Its very beautiful and I just used it last night watching a movie. I love the colouring and the embroidery is so beautiful. It gave me a huge smile when I got it. Was nice to come back to a gift.

 

Thank you for all your hard work and making us have something to look forward to.

...
Below are some photo's of some very happy recipients with laundry bags made by Joy H's grandchildren. I think they have done a wonderful job, as we can tell by the smiles on the recipients faces!!! It is great to get everyone involved and excited about what Aussie Hero's does!!!


...

Dear Bobbie S,

 

I was fortunate to receive one of your Aussie Hero quilts this week. Thank you, it is beautiful.

 

I received your quilt as about 5 weeks ago I was riding my bicycle when I was struck from behind by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. My injuries are numerous and varied but significantly I have sustained a spinal cord injury. I will be in hospital and rehabilitation centres for around the next six months to learn to use a wheelchair and regain my independence.

 

I have served in the Royal Australian Navy for 21 years, having joined straight out of school. I have had an excellent career with them. The Navy has been a wonderful support to myself and my family since the accident, I couldn't imagine going through such an ordeal without their support.

 

I do have a young family. My wife is staying with me while I recover and will stay for the full rehabilitation process. We have an almost 6-year-old son. Due to circumstances, we have had to move him to live with my family so he can continue to go to school and have a normal life during this time. He is a wonderful, resilient boy who has settled well into my old primary school. He has been coming to visit us in Sydney most weekends.

 

Thank you again for the work you do in supporting these beautiful quilts to be made. It means so much to me personally to see such love and support wrap around not just myself but my family too. Your work is important and very much appreciated. I have attached a photo so you can see the finished product.

 

I will leave it there, but I wanted to get in touch and personally thank you. Please pass my thanks to all the volunteers working with you to make this possible.


...

Good morning Toni F, 

              Thank you for my laundry bag and dedicating your time in producing such a personalised laundry bag.

A little about myself I joined the RAN in 1990 having served in the British Navy.

Starting at the bottom rank of Able Seaman I kept on getting promoted over the years finally attains Commander. Collectively I served 43 years. Married with two now adult children and I have three grandchildren who I adore.

The laundry bag gave me a smile from ear to ear and I will cherish your creation always.

Thank you so so much from the bottom of me heart, you don't know how much this means to me thank you.

Regards,

...
Dear Barbara D,

Thank you for the delightful quilt through Aussie Heros. I look forward to taking it to sea with me on my next upcoming deployment and I am sure that it will remind me of home, but also will feel like I am taking part of home with me. 

I have had reddish pink hibiscus in our garden previously, however managed to kill them with kindness, and regularly threaten to sub divide my mother-in -laws bird of paradise plant to bring some home for a large pot. Both are lovely plants and I also have a soft spot for them. I had to look up Mandevilla on Google as I had not heard of these before, however I think I will try to grow one of these in the bathroom. I have not seen torch ginger or heliconias before. I will have to visit the gardens one day in Cairns. 

I have only just planted a poinciana in the front garden the other day to help provide shade to the yard in summer and sun through the branches in winter. Both poinciana and poncietta a beautiful red colour to them, and it took me a while to work out that both were separate plant species. Beyond numerous frangipani's which are fantastic when they flower, our garden otherwise consists of a few almond trees, a passionfruit, apple tree, plum trees in the ground and a range of figs. citrus and guava trees either planted or in pots. 

I love sailing and have sailed on Pittwater before which is just north of Sydney Harbour, and it was a magical experience. It was this that started the itch to sail many years ago and led us to buying a small trailer sailboat which we enjoyed sailing in parts of Australia. 

The quilt is amazing and my wife also loves it. The lettering is perfect! By the end of the life of this quilt, it will be very well travelled!!!

Thank you for your support,
With kind Regards,
(For context- Tropical flowers and gardening was part of the chosen theme for this quilt)
...
Bridget R,
           Can I please take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart, it is not very often that a tear forms in my eye however, I must admit, the quilt where you have captured 30 years of my life was very emotional and sentimental to me.  
The work that you have created is very special and makes me smile when I walk past the quilt and has brought me warmth to my heart.
 Thankyou, thankyou so much.

Regards, 
...
Hi Jan-Maree,

Firstly Thank you.  I have received the beautiful quilt  made in honour of my father. I was quite overcome with emotion with the beautiful work put into making this quilt by your lovely volunteers Dorothy C, Lynn F and her husband Arthur and Philomena H. I would also like to thank you for allowing mum and dad's dear friend Jacqui D  to add that extra special personal touch to dad's quilt. We will treasure this gift always. 

                             Kindest Regards,                           

...

Sue N,

Thanks you so much for making the laundry bag for me. It has amazing designs on it and to be honest I'm most like going to get it framed because it's to good to be used . It was also a nice surprise getting them because usually the surprises we get are Extra PT so getting a work of art is a way better surprise.

...

Dear Bridget R, 

From the bottom of my heart I thank you for all that you have done especially putting your time and effort into making this absolutely amazing laundry bad I will forever love it. 


I'm forever thankful for what you have done.. 

Kind regards 
... 

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

Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!
💟💟💟💟💟💟💟

29 May 2023

29 May 2023 Request List

Good morning,

I am currently in Brisbane staying with some friends (a recipient and his wife) and catching up with others, including some of our recipients and volunteers.  On Wednesday I had the pleasure of presenting a quilt to an unsuspecting recipient. The beautiful quilt was made by Lynn, with the embroideries completed by Arthur and then the quilting my Philomena. It is safe to say that he was thrilled with the result. The quilt was requested for him by a very close mate, also a recent recipient or Bridget’s. These two are a real example of “brothers in arms”.   We should all be blessed to have such good friends!                     

On Thursday I caught up with the lovely Susie Chuck.  Susie’s son, Private Ben Chuck was serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) when he tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, on Monday 21 June 2010.   Susie has been involved in the fundraising for and the creation of this wonderful memorial. I did not take enough photos as we were too busy catching up but here is a link to plenty of pictures. If you are in Brisbane I strongly recommend you check out the Afghanistan War Memorial Garden.  What a great effort by all involved. A real labour of love and honour.

 https://www.google.com/search?q=afghanistan+war+memorial+garden+brisbane&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1UEAD_en-GBAU974AU974&sxsrf=APwXEdcu4EjFmw_Byfby0aS6QWDSX90f0A:1685067035344&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGxMHw85H_AhXKpVYBHZ-rBykQ_AUoAXoECAMQAw&biw=1280&bih=569&dpr=1.5

I will be back in Sydney on Tuesday but I have a few more catch ups before then.  You can check out the blog next week to see some more photos.

If anyone wants to make the hotwheels quilt No 57 these four panels can be sent to you.  Each panel is around 16” square.

 


Now, 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 10 July 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 but please include at least 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

 

Rising Sun with personal details
AALC badge (Legal Corps)
Skippy Badge
I would like something fun and interesting.  (Will share with daughters when home)
Something that captures my time in each region of the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iraq) Connection to the ANZACs (but not the focus of the Quilt). 
Would like wife and daughters names as text.
(we can supply the badges and names as embroidered pieces)

M

Q

1

Rising Sun crest
RAE badge
MFO emblem
UN flag
Australian Flag,
and the following countries listed please
Canada, Columbia, Czech Republic, Fiji, France
Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, UK, USA,
Uruguary.
Blue is my favourite colour
Photo of husband and sons available
(We can supply Rising Sun crest, RAE badge,
MFO emblem, UN flag and an emb panel with the countries above plus photo of family)

F

B

2

Cooking, Camping, ANZAC/Blue

F

Q

3

Blue, Fishing, Soccer, Dog (greyhound called Archie).Theme - tropics

M

Q

4

Blue/Grey. Hiking, camping and mountain biking. loves lightning and thunderstorms.

M

Q

5

RAN crest with personal details
HMAS Toowoomba Crest
Combat Systems Operator - Underwater
Operation Manitou
ROT 58  2014
(We can provide crests, and text embroidered)

M

Q

6

RAN Crest,
RAN chaplains crest,
Op Lilia - Solomon Islands flag,
coffee,
black vespa.
(We can supply the crests - flag can be appliqued)

M

Q

7

RAN crest, horses, chooks, has a garden, Assistance dog, white labrador called Sandy,

F

Q

8

Scooby Doo in mint and blue or old school cartoon network collage

F

Q

9

Sunflowers, Ocean, Camping, Cycling, rainbows and fitness

F

Q

10

New Zealand & Australian flags, Country Music, Cowboy, Farming and Hunting. Lean Towards Green and Orange colors where possible

M

Q

11

Call of Duty Zombies, Black with Gold highlights (small panel with name)

M

Q

12

Star Wars (Empire), Black/Gold/Red

M

Q

13

Elmo Sesame Street

M

Q

14

Green/Blue - Dogs, Ships & Submarines

F

Q

15

Holden Commodore, Summernats Burnout Competition, Essendon AFL, Melbourne Storm NRL - Red/Black/Purple

M

Q

16

Grogu (from Star Wars Mandalorian) & Eveelutions (from Pokemon)  (Pennie has provided an embroidery of Grogu)

M

Q

17

Dungeons & Dragons (game), Jedi Academy, Warhammer 40000

M

Q

18

Formula 1, Ferrari, Red/black colours

M

Q

19

Blue/green, Dogs, Toy Story, Trippy patterns

F

Q

20

Star Wars , NFL (USA National Football League)

M

Q

21

Beagles, Desert Eagles, Explosions

M

B

22

Toy Story, Harry Potter, Brisbane Broncos, Rainbows, XXXX Gold

F

Q

23

Cocktails, text  ''Phins up'', pastel colours, Justin Bieber

F

B

24

The Office (US), Bobs Burgers, tie-dye

M

B

25

NSW Blues logo and Melbourne Storm Logo, Turtle and Frangipani, purple

F

Q

26

Green/Black, North QLD Cowboys (rugby league team), Lord of the Rings

M

B

27

Peaky Blinders (TV series), Star Wars, Nautical American traditional style pictures, would like my first name on it please

F

Q

28

Avatar the last air bender & dungens and dragon. Colourful.

F

B

29

Akatsuki Red Clouds (Anime symbol)

M

Q

30

Turtles, Canberra Raiders

M

Q

31

Pooh Bear and Stitch with the background baby pink

F

B

32

Manchester City (UK soccer team) blue jersey with number 9 and surname HAALAND appliqued.

M

Q

33

Dora the Explorer

M

Q

34

Motorbikes, skateboards, waterfalls, space themed

F

Q

35

Newcastle Knights, Beach, Tooheys New,  Cricket and Boxing. Please include RAN Communications Rate Badge.
(we can provide image of Rate badge)

M

Q

36

Norse Mythology

M

Q

37

Colorado Avalanche - United States Ice Hockey Team

M

Q

38

Better Beer brand. Colours blue and grey

M

B

39

The Twilight Saga - featuring the guys mostly (or a weird off brand version) with nickname embroidered.

F

LB

40

Dark Green, scenic landscapes eg. Forests, mountains, alaskan landscapes.

F

Q

41

Winnie the pooh and friends themed with first name initial and full surname in black. Main colour background white.

F

Q

42

Baby blue quilt, Manchester City (UK Soccer team) "Superbia in proelia" if possible
 
Laundry Bag - Baby blue with Manchester City and "nickname"

M

B

43

Star Wars Mandalorian theme with red with "This is the way"

Laundry bag- Baby Yoda "grogu" from the Mandalorian cleaning laundry                                                       

M

Q

44

Sailor Jerry Tattoos                                                                        

M

Q

45

Red, white and blue, labradors, poppies and inspirational quotes.

F

B

46

OP KUDU Symbol with  'OP KUDU II' written, Australian and Ukraine flag, English Landsacpe, horse and cart
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

F

Q

47

Green Camouflage (Army) with some Navy Blue
Skippy Badge & John Deere logo (if possible)
Hunting, Farming and the Army
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

M

Q

48

Round OP KUDU Symbol in the centre with Ukrainian flag as the back ground (blue and yellow half/half background)
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

M

Q

49

Blue / Green
OP KUDU patch
Scuba Diving and camping
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

M

Q

50

Night Sky theme with Crescent moon and/or Mountains and Waterfall Theme

M

B

51

Poppies, 'OP KUDU 2023' with silhouetted Soldiers on top of poppies, Aussie and Ukrainian Flags, Large Staffy Dog at the bottom
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

F

Q

52

English Staffy theme please. RAN Crest on the bottom of the quilt, with my Service Number and nickname on it. (we can supply the crest with text)

M

Q

53

Veterans Motorcycle Australia Logo on a plain Black background (image of logo available)
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

M

Q

54

Green, Blue, Purple (Pastel colours preferred). Snowflakes and a snowy mountain theme with skiing. Seals and Pengiuns also incorporated.

F

Q

55

Text: OPERATION KUDU ROTATION II – DINGO FOUR SPEAR
KUDU LOGO, Ukraine Flag, and Australian Flag, Dingo 4 Spear Logo
(we can supply OP Kudu patches and images of other logos)

M

Q

56

Monster Trucks and/or Hot Wheels Cars (male colours)  (We have four hotwheels panels we can send you if this interests you)

M

Q

57

Round OP KUDU Symbol in the centre with Ukrainian flag as the back ground (blue and yellow half/half background)
(We can provide the OP Kudu patches)

M

Q

58

dogs with an RAN Crest on the bottom of the bag, with my Service Number and nickname  on it. (we can supply the crest with text)

M

LB

59

RAN crest
Weapons Electrical Engineer badge
AASM, Iraq and Border Protection medals.
Op Catalyst and Relex II  
HMAS Parramatta, and Ballarat
Aegis Badge
Wife, two boys (tweens) 
AFL hawthorn
enjoys beach fishing, camping, and LEGO star wars.
(We can provide the RAN crest, Weapons Electrical Engineer badge, the ribbons for the medals, and the operation text embroidered and ships' crests and the AEGIS Badge printed)

M

Q

60

Star Wars the clone wars (Cartoon TV Show)

M

Q

61

Quilt The Muppets. With the quote "Shut up Ya Muppets"

Bag - Kermit the frog with the quote "Shut Up Ya Muppet"    

M

B

62

Rising Sun,
Skippy Badge 
"7RAR"
"Recon"
"Operation Highroad"
a map of Afghanistan please
(WE can supply the badges, map and text)

M

Q

63

Cross fit - any colours

M

Q

64

Camping theme, with 4wds on it. Anything to do with landcruisers and patrols and dirtbikes. Would also like some country singers on it like Luke Combs, Lee kernaghan.  Could I have my Service number and nick name included please. 
(Nickname and service number can be embroidered)                                                                                                      

M

Q

65

RAN crest with personal details
Ships: MORESBY, SUCCESS, DERWENT, SWAN, WESTRALIA, ANZAC, DARWIN
East Timor 1999
a PWO Badge
an anchor
Husband initial D in army camo
Children initials = "MAGH" and dog initial "O" (black poodle)
Star Trek logo, the words "DUNE" and "BSG"
Can be multicoloured but I like purple, white, blue, aqua
Flags Singapore, Germany, Australia
(We can provide service crest, ships crest, PWO badge, camo, and flags)

F

Q

66

Camping theme with the bush and beach on it, with 4wds on it. Anything to do with landcruisers and patrols and dirtbikes. Would like NIckname  on the bag.

M

LB

67

Queensland Maroons Rugby League  with surname in gold

M

B

68

I would love a quilt to reflect my experience in the NT and drawing from the colours of our TSE108 medal, orange, blue and green and subtle indigenous patterns including crocs! . A maritime theme would also be appropriate for the work we do on the patrol boats  'Ocean Protector' and 'Ocean Shield'.   Apart from that I would love to give you as much creative licence as possible!

M

Q

69

Simple design using Middle Eastern colours like sun yellow, orange, red, black and pale yellow.  Not necessary but would be amazing to include a few UAE featurs like Ghaf tree (native plant),  palm fronds, mountain peaks, Arabian Oryx, camel, peregine falcon or antelope.  Could you please include the text OP Accordion and my full name in Arabic (we can supply text & name printed on fabric)

M

Q

70

Camping Theme

M

LB

71

HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) Logo with a red background and my PMKEYS, Last Name and the word ‘STOKER’
(We can embroider the name and details to be added as a patch)
 

M

LB

72

Holden

M

Q

73

Dark Grey background, a huge skull and cross bones on the front  (a cigar in its mouth if possible) with the word ‘STOKER’ along the bottom, PMKEYS AND Last Name  

M

Q

74

The Great wave of Kanagawa' (Japanese woodblock print) if possible black with surf & sports theme  with surname in red

M

LB

75

Royal Commission in to Vet Suicide Task Force Patch, 
RAN Crest,
HMAS Perth II
HMAS Brisbane II
HMAS ANZAC III 
2 Labradors, one is black, one is white. wife Nicole and 2 girls Emma and Brooke and son is Luke.  loves to run
Loves AFL (don’t know team)
has a lovely family
(We can provide the RC patch, the RAN crest and the ships crests. Family Photos can be printed for inclusion. )

M

Q

76

Stars/planets/solar system themed. First name  in purple.

F

B

77