Op Southern Discovery Presentation 2025

Operation Southern Discovery 2025-26: from Hobart to Antarctica

Hopefully readers will remember various blogs in the last 12 months about AHQLB’s contribution to Operation Southern Discovery (OpSD).  While OpSD has been running for some years, this is only the second year that AHQ has been involved.

Once again, another dozen personnel are deploying to Antarctica for the 2025-26 summer season. The first group of six has been in Hobart for nearly a month, staying at Anglesea Barracks, and undergoing induction and briefings at the Antarctic Division in Kingston. In good preparation for the Antarctic weather, Hobart has had typical equinox weather, with snow, hail, sleet, rain and sunshine, sometimes all in one day.

Jan-Maree organised the making of the quilts and laundry bags, each with the relevant service crest, Op SD logo, Lockheed Martin logo and personalised initials on the laundry bags. The quilt tops were made by Bobbie and the Mystery BOMers, and were embellished and quilted by the Garage Girls and Philomena. The parcels were posted down to me for safe keeping, and my dining room has been a sight, with lots of lovely quilts and bags, labelled and tied with ribbon. 

On Monday, 29 September, I had the pleasure of presenting the first group with their quilts and laundry bags at Anglesea Barracks. They knew about AHQ, and were very pleased to receive their gifts. The penguins and whales were a hit!

The group are all communication specialists and their role down there will be to instal new communication systems at the various Australian bases. The icebreaker RSV Nuyina sailed from Hobart last weekend (with a couple of last season’s recipients on board), but this group will fly down to Wilkins Airbase in the near future. They will be deployed for periods between two months to nearly four months. Some will fly back and two will be lucky enough to sail back on the Nuyina. 

Wishing them a safe and successful deployment.

(Quilt tops by Bobbie and the Mystery BOMers, embellished by the Garage Girls, quilted by Philomena.)

(LBs by Bridget R and Anne H)

Written by Anne H

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Operation Southern Discovery (OpSD) is an enduring peace-time activity in support of the Australian Antarctic Division and the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP).

 

Grati-Wednesday 1st October 2025

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

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

AHQ Thank You Dinner is only 24 sleeps! 

Don't forget to buy your tickets. 

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Wayne T had the privilege of presenting a quilt to a very worthy recipient. 

He was extremely surprised and very emotional when opening the quilt and reading the fantastic letters from Gail McQ and Jan-Maree. 

It was perfect timing for a quilt presentation on the day as his wife and a few close friends were there at his house for a morning tea

when we arrived. Below are some words from the recipient I received after my visit to present his quilt.

“Hi Wayne. Firstly, it was wonderful to meet you both. Secondly thank you so much to take up your Sunday to drive all the way up here to present me with this fantastic Quilt. 

 I really feel humble receiving such an accolade as I'm certainly no hero and can name many from our association that I have served for nearly ten years that come to mind. 

Thank you again and rest assured I will support the work you guys do in the future.

Once again Thank You.”

Bobbie Small and the Mystery BOMers, details added by Gail. EMB Joan 

We also received this lovely letter from the recipient: 

Dear Jan-Maree B,

On Sunday Wayne T called in to drop off a parcel, supposedly brought from my brother through a friend of a friend, ha, a small fib which is definitely excused. My attempts to meet Wayne halfway to save him travelling all the way to us, but no he was coming up here to tour around, another excusable fib. " Well you must stop for a brew" the audible relief was evident.

Wow what a surprise to receive such a wonderfully crafted Quilt I was very nearly undone for the first time in my life. I am certainly no Hero as many of your recipients would be so deservedly so.

I sat down to write this thank you letter yesterday morning after coming down to earth, so here it is a very most grateful thanks for the work that obviously went into this Quilt.

Listening to 3AW in the afternoon on my phone there was a Brownlow Medal segment, call in to nominate any business you believe worthy of a Brownlow Medal (Aussie Rules Highest Award) so I called and was lucky to get through and awarded the ladies who volunteer to do these marvellous quilts. Tony Moclair, the announcer, gave me the chance to praise your ladies.

 

Yours Aye

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Good afternoon Beverly U,

I wanted to sincerely thank you for creating the beautiful quilt I was presented with. The time, effort and care you put into it is very evident and it holds a very special place for me.

Knowing that you not only have such a talent, but also strong ties to service with your own family makes this gift even more meaningful. 

It's wonderful to hear that making these quilts brings you happiness, as receiving one certainly brings deep gratitude and comfort.

Regards,

***

Dear Bridget R,

I would like to very much thank you for the quilt that I received only yesterday. I am currently doing some reserve time and it was presented to me in front of my unit by the OIC. 

The quilt looks great, and my fellow service personnel and most importantly my family reckon it's fantastic that there are people like you out there that care so much to donate their time in this way.

Once again, thanks so much.

Kind regards, 

***

Good morning Irene S,

I wanted to send you an email to let you know I have received the quilt and laundry bag you have so beautifully made for me!

I was so impressed with the effort you made and just how well you somehow captured the essence of my dog. I imagine you can understand just how much I will be able to see my own dogs while I am away from them.

 

Thank you again for making the long days at sea that little bit brighter whenever I see my bed and to remind me of home.

 

Best regards,

***

Good morning Ruth S, 

I wanted to send you an email to let you know I have received the laundry bag you made for me!

It is absolutely beautiful and better than I could have hoped for. It will make the long days at sea a little brighter for certain.

Thank you again, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to receive such a lovely bit of art that will remind me of home.

 

Best regards,

***

Hi Anne H and Jan-Maree, 

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the lovely LB that was created.  I truly appreciate the personal touch on it and it warmed my heart when I saw it!

I joined the RAAF straight from school, it’s been a crazy experience so far and I’ve been incredibly lucky to do some of the things I’ve done. 

Just want to say your support, kindness and effort means a lot, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been given your amazing work. 

Thanks again!

***

Hi Pennie T,

I received a beautiful hand crafted quilt and bag from you as I was transiting from Defence after 28 years service. Now that the dust has settled and the mind has slowed a little I would like to say a heartfelt thank you. I appreciate the time, effort and energy you have given to this and the connection to my service and the outdoors you achieved through the design.  They will be cherished more many years. The  laundry bag travels with me every adventure now and has already seen two continents.

Thank you

***

Hello Ellen N,

I received your quilt yesterday, thank you so much.

Your explanation of the water column from surface to reef floor was so well interpreted. The effort you and all of the people who contribute to this cause, is so valued and appreciated.

I showed the quilt to my wife today via a video call, she became teary as I explained about Aussie Hero Quilts and the heartfelt gesture of what you all do. 

As just mentioned, I have a wife and two sons who are aged 16 and 13. We currently live in QLD. I’ve been in the Air Force for 29 years, which is about 20 years longer than I ever expected! 

Again, thank you so much for the quilt. I will treasure it and hope to pass it on to my grandkids one day with the story of you and how I became the lucky owner.

Kind Regards,

***

Dear Cath H,

Thank you for your wonderful heartfelt message and my laundry bag.

You have encapsulated all of my favourite things in the design – Goldies, the Saints and the Navy. The bag has already become a conversation starter; my staff are in awe of your handiwork.

Thank you for all that you do at Aussie Hero Quilts and your commitment to supporting our people. I am glad to hear of the interactions and letters shared between you and the recipients of your quilts and laundry bags. It is heartening to hear of the generosity from both sides, which I can see from your many exciting experiences.

I extend my thanks to your eldest son for his service.

Thank you once again for my laundry bag. I wish you and Ruby all the best. I hope to see you again at a future AHQ event.

Your sincerely

***

Good morning Ann S,

We have certainly come a long way in appreciating our Veterans for their service. I think our military men and women coming home from the wars in Europe and the Pacific, just had to 'get on with it. Seeing many of these fractured men in Military hospitals after World War Two was very disturbing. Many had battle fatigue, shell shock or many and varied illnesses including mustard gas. All they were faced with was, get on with it.

When we came home from Vietnam, we were treated with disdain.We all withdrew into our service groups, among people who knew how we felt. To see that there has been an appreciation now gives us hope for the future. Otherwise, we will be damned and not able to recruit volunteers for our services. Serving away from our shores it was the little things that reminded us of families and home. Until the Gulf Wars there was no ready access to hear about those important family events, a new baby, weddings, deaths and other very important offerings. I know I was in that situation, with letters going from Vietnam to Australia via, either Hawaii or New York, it was difficult arranging a wedding on return from the War. The concept of Hero Quilts means so much. The lucky ones in Vietnam managed to obtain a very valuable Poncho Liner, a veritable Linus's blanket. Amazing the soft textures can bring back a flood of wonderful feelings of a peaceful place.

I first heard of the Hero Quilts from my son, a Navy Captain. He showed us with pride, his Quilt emblazoned with his Ironman Triathlon logos. The research was outstanding. My son obviously respects the service life that followed three generations of Service and took up the challenge of giving me a wonderful surprise.

Now, today, I had the absolute pleasure of having three wonderful young pilots from 35 Squadron, my old Squadron from Vietnam service. We shared hours of aviation talk and it made an old pilot feel very much accepted.

To say thank you seems so little but it is indeed heartfelt.

Sincere thanks for your devoted work supporting our service men and women.

Kindest

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Hi Shirley D,

Thank you so much for your wonderful letter and for the incredible laundry bag you made- I truly appreciate the time, care and effort you put into it.

Receiving something handmade with such care while on deployment meant more than I can fully express.

My partner and I are proud supporters of the Geelong cats; the laundry bag has bought so much joy and will be a meaningful reminder of the kindness and support.

I loved hearing about your life and your career in textiles. It is also amazing to hear of your fathers service and his experience during the war, your continued connection to the ANZAC Day and RSL's is a moving tribute to his legacy.

Your time, effort and kindness has not gone unnoticed. Knowing someone has taken the time to craft something so meaningful that will be treasured forever by both myself and my partner has made a difference in our time.

Thank you again for your generosity and for reminding me what we serve to protect and the legacy continue,

UP THE CATS....

***

Cheers Catherine D

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

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