Quilts and bags for our ADF members proceeding on Operation Southern Discovery, by Anne Hnr

“What is Operation Southern Discovery?”  I hear you say.  Well, that’s what I said when I first heard about it earlier this year.

According to Defence.gov.au : Operation Southern Discovery (OSD) is an enduring peace-time activity in support of the Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP).

ADF elements regularly allocated to OSD include:

• Royal Australian Air Force aircraft providing a logistics air bridge from Hobart Airport to Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica.
• Royal Australian Navy hydrographic capabilities to ensure safety of marine navigation and assist scientific research.
• Royal Australian Navy meteorological capabilities providing weather forecasting and climate research and analysis.
• Australian Army geospatial survey capabilities assisting infrastructure projects and airfield surveys.

Living in Hobart, we are quite aware of the Antarctic, not least because the southerly winds blow straight off it, but also because the Australian Antarctic Division HQ is nearby, the orange Icebreaker RSV Nuyina is regularly in port and everyone knows someone who has been an expeditioner down there.

So, Aussie Hero's involvement came about back in March 2024, when I attended a function on board HMAS Hobart, in Hobart.  I met Wing Commander (WGCDR) Nick, who is Commander  Australian Contingent OSD.  I was wearing my Aussie Hero Quilts name tag, and Nick said it would nice if his troops on OSD could receive something from AHQ, to brighten up their quarters in the remote Antarctic bases.  They would be travelling south later in the year for the 2024/2025 summer.   I said I would refer it to Jan-Maree, though I wondered about delivery, as Australia Post doesn’t deliver to Antarctica.  Not a problem, said Nick, he has C17s flying down over summer delivering heavy equipment and supplies.

I emailed Jan-Maree with the request and Nick’s details and within a matter of days, it was organised.  Never let it be said that Jan-Maree lets the grass grow under her feet. The names and service details of the 14 expeditioners would not be known until just before departure, but we could get started.  The Mystery BOMers, under Bobbie’s direction were tasked to make 14 quilt tops.  The brief was an Antarctic theme, in blues/sea green, teal and white, with the OSD badge.  Over the next three months, the BOMers sewed many beautiful blocks which Bobbie then made into the quilt tops and sent on to AHQ.  While they are similar colours, each quilt is unique, with added touches such as penguins and seals.

When the relevant service details were known, Jan-Maree’s group then added the crests, and Philomena finished the quilts, with beautiful snowflake quilting design.

The 14 laundry bags were allotted to a small group, with a similar brief; i.e. Antarctic colours, Antarctic animals and NO polar bears.  It was interesting how difficult it was to find penguin/seal/Antarctic themed fabric, which didn’t have either a Christmas theme or stray polar bears.  Fortunately Cloth Cuts https://www.clothcuts.com.au/ had some beautiful penguin fabrics and of course, we can applique anything, including penguins, seals, whales and albatross, if necessary. 

By early September, AHQ had more information about the expeditioners.  As it turned out, they had varying departure dates with frequent changes, with the first group of five arriving in Hobart in late September for their AAD briefings.  Their departure was earlier than expected, on 8 October 2024.  Unfazed, quilts and laundry bags were quickly finished and posted down to Hobart.  We arranged that I would attend Anglesea Barracks the day before they departed to present the quilts and laundry bags. 

I attended the Barracks on a sunny October afternoon.  Apparently the recipients were not aware of the presentation, though the Hobart RAAF staff was very aware.  Some of the quilts had been sent directly to the Barracks and were admired greatly in their office.  It would be fair to say I got the feeling that if not claimed, the 29 Squadron staff might have been tempted to give them a good home elsewhere.

WGCDR Nick and the 29 SQN staff, together with the five expeditioners assembled in the lounge.  Nick gave a short speech setting explaining how he came to request the quilts and handed over to me.

I asked if they had heard of AHQ, and yes, they had, and several had received LBs in the past, but had left them at home, tut tut.  One recipient told me she had had hers for 6 years and it was still going strong. Not to worry, they now had new ones.  After a short speech about the group effort in making of the quilts and laundry bags, each expeditioner was presented with their LB and quilt.

Once all the quilts had been examined in great detail, we had a group photo taken.  Everyone was very impressed with the quilts and LBs.  One sailor was also very excited to find the packet of Tim Tams inside his quilt.  I have been assured they will send back photos from the Antarctic – fingers crossed.

bag by Anne H

bag by Jacqui D

bag by Anne H

bag by Bev U

bag by Anne H

Quilt tops by Bobbie and the Mystery BOMers, crests by Inge and Keryn, quilting and finishing by Philomena and the Garage Girls. 

RSV Nuyina is now making her way south.  According to the AAD, the voyage to Davis station will take 15 days, with the last 9-10 km breaking through ice.  There are 100 expeditioners on board, two helicopters, a tractor, 240,000 litres of water, and many tonnes of fresh, frozen and dried food (and five AHQ quilts and LBs). 

We wish them a calm voyage and a successful deployment.

RSV  Nuyina departing Hobart 8/10/24.

Great report, thanks Anne! 

Keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree