Grati-Tuesday 25th March 2025

     

Happy Tuesday Friends!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I did try to sew but had the equivalent of writer's block which I call it 'sewer's block'. Not to be mistaken with the other way you can pronounce 'sewer'!! I am sure we have all had the same problem!!!!  I did at least get a laundry bag finished so I feel like I did accomplish something.

We have a lovely lot of messages and photo so grab a cuppa or cool drink, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

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Jan-Maree, Bel P,

I am writing this to you both to say thank you for the Aussie Hero Quilt's "Invictus Laundry bag". Having such a personalized item made for me, to accompany me on my journey to the Invictus game is such an honour and privilege.

 I used the laundry bag on several occasions during the games and I have attached a few photos of it being used.  I have also made a small display at the local Shoalhaven Veteran and family hub of some mementos from the games and I have included my laundry bag as part of the display. 

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Hi Heather B,

I was the very lucky recipient of the laundry bag you had made for me.

Thank you so much for the bag, I absolutely love it! I didn't realise how much I needed one until I had one.

I had an incredible experience at the Invictus Games, one that I am extremely grateful to have been a part of. Unfortunately, I ended up getting very sick and was unable to compete in the swimming and indoor rowing which was devastating given that I was named as the swimming team captain (not for my ability), and the rowing was my priority event that I worked extremely hard for. That aside, I had an amazing time and got so much out of it!

Once again, thank you for the awesome laundry bag and everything that you do for the veteran community.

Cheers,

 

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Dear Ruth S and Jan-Maree,

 

I just wanted to write a quick thank you for my Laundry bag that was produced for me as staff for the recent Invictus Games in Canada.

 

I am honoured to have received this great gift and thank you for all the work involved. I absolutely love it and love the swimming Kangaroo. I am in awe of all you do, and what your gesture does for our team and to the wounded warriors.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you

  

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Good afternoon Anne Hnr,

 

I am reaching out because I recently received the most beautiful quilt from you in an order put through by HMAS Sydney.

 

I requested a Navy themed quilt because I would like to have something nice to look back on when I leave the Navy in a few years. When I saw the size of the ensign you added to the quilt I was so happy! It will be something I will hold onto forever and use as a reminder of the amazing time I have spent at sea.

 

I couldn’t be happier so thank you very much for all of your time and effort you put into creating something beautiful!

 

Kind regards,

 

 The ensign was created by Bennie C.

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G'day guys, 

Just wanted to say thank you.

I have had my laundry bag since 2019 when I was first sent overseas on an RCB trip.

Since then that bag has been on deployments to the Middle East (I was only ROCL so no quilt), on border protection as well as shorter trips to Solomon's and now its in my room in NZ where I will be for a year on exchange.

It's a great conversation piece and I make sure to mention you guys and what you do.

I am incredibly regretful that I lost the small note inside shortly after receiving the bag. But I wanted to thank you all, I'm very proud to be a recipient of one of the laundry bags.

Thanks

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Dear Kristie H,

Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt and laundry bag that you made. I am so appreciative of the time, effort and care you took in making these. They are amazing and exactly what I was after. Both items look excellent and I am incredibly fond of them. I immediately added the quilt to my bed spread and it was very comfortable the other night when I was required to remain on board as part of my duties. The design of toothless on the laundry bag is very similar to a tattoo I am considering getting.

It’s wonderful to hear how much my theme for How to Train your Dragon resonated with you. It is easily my favourite cartoon movie (along with the Lion King). I have watched all three movies multiple times and I was so excited for the 3rd movie that I even went and saw it in the cinemas when it was released in December 2018. It’s such a wholesome and fun series, the characters are so well created and the dragons remind me of a mix of all the best qualities in both cats and dogs. I will likely see the new live action version of the cartoons but I don’t think it will be as good as the cartoons.

It’s lovely to hear about you and your family, I really like the group name ‘Ladies of the Night’ it’s quite cheeky and I don’t think there’s a need to change it.

About me. I am a Lieutenant onboard HMAS Sydney and my role is one of the Principle Warfare Officers and I am designated the Gunnery Officer onboard, responsible for the tactical and operational employment of the surface weapon systems and sensors. I have been serving in the Royal Australian Navy for 7 years and served on different platforms including FFGs, Patrol Boats, Mine Hunters and now a DDG (Destroyer). I grew up in South of Sydney, and my parents now live in Berry. I have a brother and sister both older than me. I am the first person in my family to join and serve in Defence. I now live in Bondi and enjoy spending time with sirens, surfing or being at the beach, cooking or reading, TV and movies and keeping active outdoors.

Thank you again for these wonderful items. We are sailing on a 4-5 month deployment so this quilt and bag have provided a brightness to my cabin to enjoy throughout the trip. Please pass on my gratitude to the rest of your friends at Aussie Hero Quilts because it is small things like this and your appreciation that make service so rewarding.

I am sorry it has taken me so long to reply, I have been away since December on leave and then from January-March on a course so I only received the package yesterday.

Warm regards,

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Good afternoon Jan-Maree
I received my wonderful quilt yesterday from representatives from Certa Cito (Royal Australian Signals Corps) Foundation during a pleasant morning tea. It was a most moving surprise, one for which I am extremely appreciative. Both my wife and I will treasure the quilt as will our sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren in the years to come. It will become a family heirloom of which they will be very proud.
I feel so humbled as I have never thought that my efforts were worthy of particular note as I have enjoyed doing what I do - there are so many who deserve credit more than I.
We commend you for founding Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags, and your determination to show appreciation to veterans. We also echo your thoughts on the treatment of veterans after the war. I was told not to wear my uniform on return to Australia. Of course this was to protect me from anti war demonstrators, but it also had an ugly whisper about it that I should be ashamed of my uniform. I will never forget that.
We salute you and your movement for caring about the people, not the politics or the mission.
With thanks and deep appreciation,

The quilt was made by Bridget R using blocks made by Chris E

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Good Morning Beverley F,

 

I have just been handed the quilt which you very kindly stitched together for me and I must say that I am absolutely stunned and proud of the work you have put into this.

 

As a back-story, the reason I was after something with each ship in it is that I have family history that goes back to Sydney 2; none with Sydney 1 that I can trace though! My Great-Great Uncle served in Sydney 2 (posted off and was then posted to HMAS Perth – KIA), my Grandfather served in Sydney 3 in Korea and other regions and I have served in both Sydney 4 and now 5. So as you can see, I am equally proud of the ancestry within Navy and the fact we all served in HMAS Sydney at some point in our careers! I do want to get to Geraldton at some stage to pay my respects at the memorial there, as I have heard it is a really remarkable and impressive site.

 

Your family has also provided great Service to our nation and thank you for your support through those years and as it also continues today; you don’t have to be in uniform to be thanked! I will have a look at the book you presented to the CO as it will tell of a different era as an interesting read and may even give something of the continued legacy to which we hold each member to. I am glad you had the opportunity to join us for the Families Day and enjoyed the day, we were only too happy to host the team from Aussie Hero Quilts with chance to see some of our every day and meet some of our people. We have a great team and are looking forward to our next deployment; sailing today!!

 

Condolences on the passing of your husband, though it is pleasing to hear that he got the respect of ceremony that he truly deserves after his 30yrs of Service and from a ship in which he held memories from; he paid off the year after I joined! I remember the days of Nirimba and it is sad that it was closed down, it was a great place for our apprentices to learn their trade and continue with advancement.

 

Once again, thank you so much for the truly impressive work and time you put into the quilt that I requested (I was hoping it wasn’t a daunting request) and it will take pride of place in my cabin now and at home when I post off. Please keep up the great work that you all do and pass on my gratitude to the rest of the team; your support is very well appreciated!

 

Warmest Regards,

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I am a little lost for words (doesn't happen very often) received the Fallen Warrior quilt today. It's absolutely beautiful and means so much that a team of people went to so much effort. Miss 6 year old has been asking lots of questions about Dad (her grandfather) lately so I've popped the quilt on her bed- she's calling it her "memory blanket". I've shared some pictures and the letter with mum and she said there were a few tears. Thank you

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

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