G'day all
This year we are celebrating our 15th Anniversary.
15 years.
17,700 quilts.
38,400 laundry bags.
As far as I am concerned that is a lot to celebrate! I hope you will come along and join in the fun.
This year the celebratory weekend will be held 16 - 18 Oct 2026. We will be in Canberra at The Rex Hotel, the same hotel we have been in for a few years now. Most of the volunteers will stay there as well.
We are still locking in all the activites but here is what we have planned so far:
Friday afternoon:
We always try to arrange a free activity on Friday afternoon. This year we are hoping for a tour of the Australian War Memorial. We are discussing/arranging this at the moment so details are not yet firm but if you are interested please register via Trybooking so we have an idea of the numbers involved. This will be a self drive, free event. We usually try to arrange car pooling for everyone if possible.
If there is enough interest we will endeavour to arrange for a couple of volunteers to lay a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony. This starts at 1630 (430pm) and I beleive ends around 1700 (5pm) or so. You can attend and still make it back to the hotel for the start of the next event but you may want more rest time than that so we will see what everyone wants to do.
Friday Night - The Volunteers' Gathering
This is a special gathering just for Volunteers. Doors open at 1830(630pm) and the formalities commence at 1900 (7pm). There will be speakers, goodie bags and lucky dip prizes. There might be a fabric table as well.
There will be tea/coffee and water provided, along with some sort of biscuits or snacks but not an evening meal. You will need to sort that before you come. You can order a room service meal and have it delivered to the Ballroom for you to eat during the evening if you wish. You will be sitting at round tables so you will not have to balance your food on your lap. You can also grab a pizza in the roof top bar from 1700 (5pm).
If you speak to the Hotel Manager you should also be able to order dinner from Roof Top bar and sit at a table one floor below at the breakfast tables. Great for a group get together. They bring the meals and water jugs down there.
Saturday morning: Breakfast
If you have not met me before, or would like to meet other new volunteers plus some of our Admin Volunteers, please join us for breakfast at The Rex. This will be in the normal breakfast room and you pay for your breakfast by giving your room number (or on arrival if not staying in the hotel).
Saturday Bus Tour:
Departing from The Rex 1030.
In the past we have arranged a bus tour of two or three quilt shops but feedback this year indicates that we should change it up a bit. My focus group has indicated that a more relaxed pace would be good, one that allows for some more chat and socialisation. So the plan is to visit Old Parliament House for a self paced tour of the exhibitions there, plus the opportunity to grab a cuppa and/or snack in the cafe there.
From OPH you will then head to Hobbysew Belconnen. Whilst there you will be able to split into two groups. Half will go straigh to the fabric and the other half will be able to head into Belconnen Mall to visit the food hall for another cuppa/snack/lunch etc. You will then swap over so everyone gets a chance to shop/eat/drink. Some people have told us they do not want a big lunch so a couple of cuppas will suffice, others are more keen to have a lunch so hopefully this will accommodate all tastes/preferences.
You will return to the hotel by 1530 (3:30pm) in time to put your feet up before the dinner.
Saturday night - The Dinner.
The dinner commences at 1830 (630pm) and people are asked to be seated by 1900 (7pm). I say this every year but I will say it again. Please do not arrive early. We are busy setting up the room and briefing the volunteers who are helping right up til 1830 and don't need extra people in the room prior to 1830 (630pm). Please respect this.
Seats are allocated and I work hard to make sure that every table mixes well. Please let me know if you have any concerns about your seating but do wait til closer to time, no more than two weeks out please.
Part of the evening is fundraising. We will have a raffle with awesome prizes, many made by volunteers and recipients. We also have a Silent Auction and a Live Auction each year.
There will be a couple of great speakers who will tell you their Aussie Hero Quilts story and you will more than likely be sitting at a table with a mixture of guests, volunteers, recipients, ADF members and supporters. I think one of the best parts of the night is the people you will meet at your table. If you are nervous about coming on your own because you have not met anyone before, simply let me know. I will make sure you know some people before the dinner.
The evening finishes around 2230 (1030pm).
Sunday: Brunch at Poppy's Cafe
0900 (9am)
We finish up the weekend with Brunch at Poppy's Cafe at the Australian War Memorial. This is your last chance to meet up with friends you have made throughout the weekend. You buy your own breakfast and then grab a table and make the most of your time to chat, swap numbers/email addresses, connect on Facebook etc etc.
Whilst you don't pay in advance for Brunch we do ask that you register via Trybooking so that we havae an idea of how many people are coming so we can make sure the restaurant is prepared.
Display Quilts and Laundry Bags
Each year we display quilts and laundry bags around the room for our Dinner. We rely on volunteers to bring quilts and bags along on the Friday night and these will be hung by volunteers on the Saturday night. We have enough quilt frames to hang 23 quilts but that is dependant on the layout on the night. The final number of quilts and bags that can be displayed is deplendant on the layout on the night.
All you need to do is wait til it is closer to the dinner, then pick a request that can be sent off after the dinner. Bring it with you to Canberra and hand it over on the Friday night.
At the end of the dinner, when everything is being packed up, it is your responsibility to grab your quilt/bag and take it home with you.
There is a process for having your quilt/bag included in the display on the Saturday night and more details will be advised closer to the dinner.
Tickets
Tickets are available for the dinner via Trybooking. There is one price for volunteers, and one price for Recipients. If you would like to take advantage of the Volunteers' discount please email me for the CODE. You fill out all your details and add in the code close to the end of the booking process and the price will be discounted for you. Let me know if you have any problems.
You can grab your tickets here
Only six and a half months til our dinner!
Till next time.... keep spreading the word and happy stitching!
Jan-Maree xx
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