Grati-Tuesday 8th July 2025

           

Happy Tuesday Friends!

We have a few awesome messages and photos this week so grab a cuppa, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

AHQ Thank You Dinner is only 109 sleeps! 

Don't forget to buy your tickets. 

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Dear Ruth S,

I felt so blessed to receive not only a laundry bag, but also a letter from you. Thank you for all your time and efforts in making a laundry bag for me and for the many others you have made to support the Australian Defence Force community.

I joined the Australian Army in 2017 and started at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra after finishing high school in 2016. After three years of completing my military training and university degree, I undertook a year of training at the Royal Military College - Duntroon, which is also in Canberra.

I am now a Royal Australian Corps of Transport Officer by trade; however, I am on a bit of a different pathway at the moment.  I remain in the Australian Army, but in preparation for the new landing craft that the Australian Army is purchasing, I have been undertaking the two year Maritime Warfare Officers' Course with the Royal Australian Navy.  In simple words, we drive the ship!  I started in January last year and have moved from Darwin to Perth, to Sydney, back to Darwin and now for the last six months of the year back to Sydney. While this much moving in a short space of time is not normal (usually two year postings for Army Officers), I have seen a lot of amazing places and learned a lot.  Through my training, I was posted to a Patrol Boat, HMAS Bathurst and we conducted several border patrols in support of Operation Resolute, which also put us in contact with Aussie Hero Quilts. As you can see, I am on the move quite a bit, and now your quilt will join me in many adventures at home and abroad. It is a great size to travel with!  I will also be one of the first commanders of the new Army vessels, and your quilt will be very proudly used on one of the first vessels, which will have many years of sea service to follow.

I grew up in Toowoomba, Queensland, where my love of horses came from. We are very excited to be hosting the equestrian for the 2032 Olympics. My family breeds Arabian horses, and riding is the ultimate escape from work, and not I can dream about it with every load of washing... chores never sounded so fun.

Again, I sincerely appreciate your time and effort to make a laundry bag for me, and I will treasure it.

Laundry bag made by Ruth S and Quilt made by Ann S.  

Ann's thank you message was included in the 24 Jun Grati-Tuesday blog. 

Original letter

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Hello Sue B,

I wanted to quickly reach out to let you know that I have received the laundry bag created for me.

I would have loved to send you a printed photo and letter but, as you can imagine, postage here is currently a little unreliable! In lieu of this I have attached a photo of the bag, with Lola's Border Collie-likeness on it, next to the photowall I have in my room to remind me of her while I am away. It is striking how similar you were able to get her face to the real thing! I very much appreciate the work that you (and equally Joe) put into the bag and the amount of time and effort you undoubtedly both contributed; it means a lot to have a little slice of home with us while deployed.

As quick as Lola can be (and as much as I have always thought of doing agility work with her), I think she'd be much more content curled up somewhere by herself just enjoying her peace and quiet (she's the most un-Border Collie dog you've met)!

Thank you once again!

Kind regards,

***

Jenny R!! 

I love the bag, it having patterns on the inside was such a great surprise.

I have worked in Defence for almost 12 years. I fell in love with Aussie Hero Quilts when I received my first doing the Gulf trip on HMAS Melbourne. It reminds me that being in still has reason. I have lived in Sydney since joining and live with my fiancé and our 2 dogs. Your letter was beautiful and I am very grateful to receive yours. Have a wonderful week and again I am so thankful for your work. 

Kind regards

 

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Hi Philomena H,

I am in the Army serving overseas at the moment and late last week I received the wonderful quilt which you made for my son and I. I just wanted to say thank you so much for the time and effort you put into it and for the lovely note as well! I am actually heading home soon for a short period of leave with my family and plan to give it to him as a surprise. He has just began sleeping with his own blanket instead of a sleep suit so it will make a great addition to his room! It really is a truely special piece of work, and I know he will love it… The Wiggles are his favourite. 

You have told me so much about you, please let me share a little of my story. I have been in the Army for 14.5 years, this is my second overseas tour, and my first as a father and a husband. It has certainly made it all the harder this time around. I was born in the UK, and am the oldest of three boys. We moved to Australia when my youngest brother was just a few months old. We were raised on the Gold Coast, were life was taken up being outside and playing a lot of sport. I joined the Army in 2011 straight out of high school and I have loved every minute of it. I have been posted to Canberra, Townsville, Sydney, Darwin and Adelaide. I’ve had to opportunity to travel all over the Australia with my work, seen some amazing places and have been to 12 different countries as well.

It is really special and comforting to know that Defence Force Personnel are being supported by people like you who are willing to volunteer your own time for organisations like Aussies Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags. It makes such a difference to our time overseas, and keeps us connected with Australia. Thank you so much for what you do, and I hope many more service personnel get to benefit from your handiwork!

Kind Regards,

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Good day Anne Hnr,

 

The quilt you made for me arrived today.

 

It certainly made my Friday much better when I opened the package and looked at the amazing effort placed into it, I am forever grateful to receive such an amazing gift along with the Tim tams of course haha.

 

Working abroad does make one miss home but knowing there are people like you providing time and effort for such treasures like quilts lets us know we are appreciated for what we do. This is my second time deploying overseas with defence and my first time in an Asian cultured country, however the culture and people here are so welcoming and friendly and they know how to make you feel right at home.

 

I have travelled a little bit myself through the South Pacific on Cruises and I have travelled to New Zealand a couple of times for holidays, it seems from your letter you have travelled to various places and enjoy bird watching.

 

I hear it is a bit cool back home though I am from Brisbane and have only ever lived there though I have travelled around Australia and definitely been to some colder regions though Tasmania is one place I have not been to yet.

 

Please also thank Joan B for the Rising sun embroidery.

 

Thank you for your support and be assured I appreciate the quilt.

 

Kind regards,

  ***

Dear Bridget R, 

I'm so pleased to receive the quilt which you made for me and the accompanying letter. Thank you for your effort toward the beautiful design.

I have been deployed on Operation Aslan for four months so far. I have another eight months to go.

I joined the Air Force eight years ago as a second career. I have enjoyed postings to Sydney and Canberra. I can't wait to come home, but my wife keeps saying how cold it is in Canberra!

My wife is a trained high school teacher and is homeschooling our four children. We have three girls, aged 10, eight and three, and a newborn boy.

The African design with the lion is a wonderful tribute for my children to my deployment. I requested a lion because aslan means lion in Turkish and is the symbol of our deployment.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Particularly for your sons long-term career and your daughters work as an early childhood teacher.

Kind regards, 

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

Cheers Bel P

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