Grati-Tuesday 11th March 2025

   

Happy Tuesday Friends!

I hope all our Queenslander friends were not too impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The weather is getting more and more unpredictable over the last few years!

Grab a cuppa or cool drink, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

***

Dear Heather,

 It is with a lot of proud emotion that I write and thank you so much for the wonderful quilt you made, which was presented to me by Air Marshal Leo Davies at my Air Force Farewell function on Friday night. I was very emotional when it was presented and cannot thank you enough.

What blew me away was pretty much the high/main points of my speech was reflected on the quilt. Seeing my Dad’s service also reflected really made me emotional as it was through his Air Force service that I was inspired to enlist. When I joined in 1984, I aspired to achieve Warrant Officer rank like my Dad – he saw me rise to the rank of Wing Commander before he passed away in 2010.

Thank you for your kind (and humbling) words in your letter that accompanied the quilt. It was also lovely to learn a bit about you, your family’s military connection and your passion for swimming. The quilt will take pride of place in our home alongside my Air Force Farewell present that I also received on Friday night (also in the photo).

Finally, and once again, I cannot thank you enough for this beautiful quilt and for being part of the Aussie Hero Quilts community and through it helping veterans like me.

Warmest regards,

***

Fallen Warrior Quilt presentation by Gayle W

I was given the honour by Jan-Maree of presenting a quilt to the widow of a Fallen Warrior who was a Vietnam Veteran . The presentation was on the first anniversary of his passing.
It was an opportunity to drive through the picturesque Tambourine mountains and stop for lunch at "The Outpost Cafe " where the tour bikers congregate.

The quilt was lovingly made by some of our AHQ team ; Quilt top made by LynF using Dorothy C's blocks , embroidery by Joan B and quilted by Philomena H.

It was spectacular to see it in real time! It is a tangible reminder that a veteran's service is appreciated.
The family, although a solemn occasion,  were in high spirits and even offered champagne with tea and cake.

***

Afternoon Ladies,

Just wanted to reach out and say thank you again for the lovely laundry bag I was given in support of the Invictus Games.

Given our hotel did not have laundry facilities, it was very much needed and very handy to carry all our washing down to the local coin laundry.

I will reach out to Wendy (message directly below), who created my piece separately. 

Thanks again,

Regards,

Hi Wendy B,

I wanted to reach out and say personally thank you so much for the laundry bag you created me for the Invictus Games.

It was a beautiful gift that really came in handy as our hotel didn't have a laundry and we had to walk down the local coin laundromat.

A little more about me, I live on the Gold Coast with my partner and our daughter. Both of which accompanied me to the games. I served a total of 27 years in the Australian Army, both as a Medic and as a Drone Operator. I was medically discharged in Jan 2021 and the Invictus Games couldn't have come at a better time as I am about to undergo an ankle fusion operation in early March.

I've made some lifelong friends during the last year all because of the Invictus Games and ADF Adaptive Sports Program as well as get myself in the best physical shape I can be as I am turning 50 in May. I was one of the lucky ones at the games to receive a few medals, 2 gold in indoor rowing and a silver in 50m freestyle.

Kind regards,

Recipient on Left with Silver Medal

*** 

Hi Bobbie S & Mystery BOMers,

Thank you so much for the laundry bag, I actually travel extensively in this role and I love to take them with me to remind me of home, not for my laundry, it is way too nice for smelly socks..lol It actually holds my books and electronics.

You have an amazing family history with Defence and I thank you for all you do for our serving members. 

A little bit about myself…I joined the Navy 28 years ago from a small town called Cootamundra (birthplace of Don Bradman), I joined for adventure and to get out of a small town, and that I did. I am trained as a Combat Systems operator which is radar sonar and EW, so we kinda detect and shoot stuff. I specialised in EW.

I have served on many ships and done extensive sea time and Operations, so I have been lucky enough to raise money for Jan-Maree to come on HMAS Perth on our return to Australia and she got to sail in with our members and we handed her a cheque for more laundry bags.

 

I am currently serving alongside the Chief of Joint Operations, so all the goodness you do, goes directly to our deployed members which come under the command of CJOPS.

 

Thanks again and please continue the good work you do, It means so much.

 

Please reach out if you need anything and thank you once again.

 

Thanks,

***

Dear Aussie Heroes 

 Many, many thanks for the wonderful quilt your organistaion created, which was presented to me at a recent meeting of the Parramatta RSL. Although mightily embarrassed, I felt greatly honoured!

Your team does a quite extraordinary thing, particularly for our serving folk!
Thank you again.

The quilt top was made by the Queanbeyan CWA, quilted by Alison C and Emb Joan B.

***

Good afternoon Beverly U, 

Thank you for the fantastic laundry bag. I appreciate the time, skill and artistry that goes into each unique handmade item and the whole team felt the care went into making them. Being presented the laundry bags before we left for Vancouver was an emotional moment for us all and I could only imagine how much impact it would have on those who receive something in more difficult circumstances overseas.  

It was very interesting to read about your family and their history of service. Especially reading about the aircraft mechanics and flight engineers as during my service I started as an avionics technician before becoming aircrew. 

Kind regards, 

***

Hi Christine C, 

I apologise for such a late reply! I was away on leave when your package arrived and then was away from my usual work location for a few weeks after returning, so the package was just waiting for me when I got back.

I want to say a huge thank you for the lovely quilt and extra goodies you included in the parcel. The quilt is perfect and you somehow managed to turn my random ideas into a cohesive quilt. I wanted to have a tangible memory of my deployment to Bahrain and this will be a great momento to hold onto. 

It sounds like you would have your hands full with 3 children and 5 grand-children - it's a wonder you have any spare time to make quilts, undertake all the volunteer work you do and travel. I can relate in terms of trying to travel to Ireland to go and see your husbands family as often as you can. My partner is German and is still living in Germany, she will move to Australia when I get back from Bahrain, something I am definitely looking forward to. 

I enjoyed reading about your travels within Victoria including the Murray River. I grew up in a small town in the Alpine region in Victoria , and I remember going to Echuca for weekends to visit family friends. My Dad is a Registered Nurse and worked in Melbourne for a few years before meeting my Mum and moving to Bright. My Dad grew up in Melbourne and we still have a lot of family there including some second cousins that live in Altona. My best-mate who I grew up with also lives in Melbourne. I was posted there as well a few years ago, to the School of Signals out in Watsonia. I really love Melbourne and wish to post back down there if I get a chance. 

I'm not from a military family either but chose to join the Army because I wanted a career where I could continually learn/develop, lead people/teams and that would let me travel and the Army kind of ticked all those boxes. I have really enjoyed my career so far.

 Please pass my thanks onto Inge C and Jan-Maree B for their help as well. Thanks again for the quilt and everything else. 

 

***

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!

🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞