Grati-Wednesday 14th January 2026

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

There are, as always, some beautiful sentiments in the following gratitude letters. 

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

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Hello Cath H,

Wowee! What an amazing Gundam quilt! I very much enjoyed reading your enclosed letter as well. Some of the most influential figures of my childhood were the teachers I had growing up. Thank you for telling me about your dogs Hope, Goldie, and Ruby too; they sound so sweet. The journey your son has taken is very impressive too. 

It's funny hearing about your quilting journey and accumulating fabric scraps. Because I'm learning to sew with my fiancee and we have a fabric stash too! 

We like making warm garments and have some yards of fabric we got from a 2nd hand market that we plan to make into trousers. Maybe one day I'll come see your fabric stash (let me know if you have any of the ADF Tartan left over!! That's so cool!)

Last year I made a cape for my Fiancee so she can work from home at her desk and stick her arms out through the armholes to type. She was always chilly and wearing a blanket but that gets fiddly when you need your hands free so I made her this. It's lined with linen and she tells me it's her favourite.

I also went to the KISS concert with four free tickets courtesy of Defence. It's possible we could have run into each other. I went with my Dad, Step-mum, and my fiancee.

Honestly I am thrilled with how good the quilt is. It will be a permanent inclusion in my go-bag when I get deployed. You can consider my socks completely blown off.

The colours and vibrancy of the quilt are so good! And it matches so perfectly with the reference! I really do like Japanese popular culture and when I learned I got to be in Japan for a whole month while on HMAS Brisbane I was over the moon.

I very much appreciate the label on the back. On the subject of provenance I really agree that it will be a keepsake because of the story behind it but also I really like knowing where my possessions (mostly clothes) came from (for example; I have a few items of clothing I got in Japan where I know where the fabric was milled and the garment assembled). I really appreciate all the hard work and dedication you have shown in making this quilt.

The applique technique you used is really cool and I agree that it was the only way to do it. I suppose I sort of knew that the reference material for this gundam was quite simple (compared to other designs) and that it would have a higher chance of getting made. Thank you for indulging my request. 

I will make sure to cherish this quilt and follow the care instructions to the letter!

Kind regards,

 ***

Good morning Anne H, 

A big Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family - I know like me, you have family afar so I hope however you spent your day - it was full of love, fun and happiness. 

I have since received the quilt that you have so lovingly made for me - I absolutely adore it and recognise the huge effort you have gone to and the skills it requires to create! I could never imagine making something like this and I am deeply appreciative of your thoughtfulness and commitment over the years to Aussie Hero Quilts and what it represents. Please pass on my heartfelt thank you to Joan B who had contributed the MFO patch. 

It's so wonderful to hear about the creators behind Aussie Hero Quilts and the community on Facebook - I often follow along on the events from Jan-Maree and the team. I first spoke to Jan-Maree on my first deployment back in 2015 - and the culture, care and expertise has only grown. You all should be so very proud of the support you provide to deployed members and their families - it really means the world to us. 

A little bit about me - I am very proud to have the opportunity to be a small part of an enduring mission of stability. 

I am also very lucky to have participated in a Duty Tour that took us to Luxor for a few days and the temples are just incredible! I also had a chance to tour Cairo to run a half marathon around the pyramids! This was a very exciting event and I think my eyes were the size of dinner plates when I saw the pyramids for the first time. I really just have no idea how they constructed them and find them so fascinating. I think I have what feels like nearly x2983947 photos on my phone!

A little bit about me... I grew up in Townsville QLD, now living in NSW. I have now been in the Air Force for 13 years - it goes by very quickly! I have enjoyed many postings and the lifestyle the Air Force has provided me. My favourite place I have been lucky to experience was Alaska. Such beautiful scenery and it is pretty special to see bears and moose just casually strolling around the base! This is also my third operational deployment. 

Last year I decided to take a step back to the Reserves so I could study a Diploma in Interior Design. I guess I am still figuring out what I'd like to be when I grow up! I also have a beautiful daughter who turned three whilst I was away. It was a tough and emotional day but I hope that she will be proud of her Mum :) 

Thank you again, so very much for your warm introduction and quilt - I will cherish it forever. 

I hope you have a wonderful, safe and exciting New Year. 

Kind regards, 

***

Dear Ruth S,

Thank you so much for the beautiful laundry bag and your note. I was really touched reading it. your kindness really brightened my day.

I will be taking them with me on future deployments. Wherever they may be, it will always be a lovely reminder of the support and warmth behind it. 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year.

Warmest Thanks...

***

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Dear Janine W,

I received my quilt in the mail just before Christmas and it has taken
me some time to get through the festive season madness to sit down and write to you.
I am SO thrilled with the quilt you crafted for me, and feel so humbled
that you have gone to so much time and effort to do this. Thank you.

I loved reading your letter and learning a little about you and your
family - my eldest child just graduated from high school (three to go!) so it gave me strength that you've survived getting four children
through to year 12 and beyond ;)

My mum and I made a quilt together a few years ago and learned what a labour of love it is to do this, so I am in awe of the beautiful work you do, and can't believe you managed to find a giant saxophone textile for it! So great. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I will treasure it always.

I hope you had a wonderful festive season with family and friends. All
the very best for a wonderful 2026.

***

Dear Mrs Ann S,

Thank you so much for the absolutely fantastic quilt you made through Aussie Hero Quilts. It is incredibly special to me—every ship I have served on is reflected in it, and this may be the last time I serve at sea (although I hope that is not the case). Your quilt is a meaningful reminder of that journey, and I will treasure it.

Thank you also for your very informative letter. I know Young, and from my home on the South Coast I often see the cherry vans along the roadside at this time of year—we always try to pick some up in time for Christmas. 

I appreciated hearing about your father’s service in the Army. Stories like his are inspiring; as servicemen and women, we strive to emulate the service and sacrifice of those who went before us.

I was thrilled to hear that your granddaughter has joined the Navy. If she has even half the fun I’ve had in my career, she will absolutely love the job. It was also wonderful to hear that your other grandchildren are doing so well—truly a reflection of their upbringing. 

On the home front, I’ve enjoyed spending some time with my partner and her two children, who are 26 and 16. With the tempo of service, chances to be home together are precious, and we make the most of the break with simple things—walks along the coast, shared meals, and a bowl of Young cherries on the table to mark the season. Your quilt will have pride of place at home and will no doubt spark a few sea stories around the dinner table. 

Thank you again for your kindness, time and craftsmanship. Please pass on my thanks to everyone at Aussie Hero Quilts. Your support means a great deal to us. 

Regards

***

Cheers Catherine D

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻