Grati-Wednesday 8th Apr 2026

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

There are, as always, some awesome letters which definitely pull at the heart strings.

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

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Hi Bridget R,

I am writing to you to say a great big thank you for the incredible quilt that was given to me last week. In over 25 years in the Navy, I have never received a gift that has felt so personal or more timely than this one. 

I'm not sure what kind of information was provided to you and/or Aussie Hero Quilts when this quilt was organised, so you may know some of this already, but I'm going to tell you anyway. 

This year I had my last day in the Navy after more than 25 years of full-time service. I joined about 6 weeks after my 18th birthday, as there were not a lot of opportunities in the area where I spent my teenage years. I deployed on HMAS Sydney to the Middle East in 2003. I did three border protection deployments on HMAS Melbourne, and I spent about 5 years living in the United States, working and training with the US Navy.

When I received your quilt last week, it took me out of the space where I was missing things, and back to a bunch of milestones in my long career which I'm really proud of, but that often get drowned out by the noise and pressure of much more senior jobs. So thank you for making me feel once more that I was part of something important, for helping me remember those moments, and the rest in between, and thank you for putting a Pomeranian patch on the quilt. You have perhaps unwittingly captured the essence of me as a person throughout my Navy career. We do hard things, we go to undesirable places, and we see things we wish we hadn't, but there is always room in all that seriousness for a bit of fun and love. And it should never be so serious that we forget that there are those who love us waiting for us at home, and those are the most important parts of our lives, the reason we do this job in the first place. I also have a loving wife, but we both live for the dog :)

Thank you again, for the most special gift I have received through my military career, thank you to Aussie Hero Quilts, and please pass on my thanks to Joan B for the embroideries. I have attached a few pictures, and we were able to get our Pomeranian, Pumpkin, to sit still just long enough to snap a picture. 

Cheers,

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Hi Sue N,

This year I am posted to Darwin and have returned home for a visit, the first this year. I was delighted to open the Aussie Hero Quilt that you made and to be honest, this posting has been a bit of a challenge for me, so to come to the quilt, which is so well thought out, has really made my day. I love the colours, the Buenos Aires picture and trumpets is brilliant! 

I cannot thank you enough. It must have taken hours of work.

Kind thanks

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G’day Greg and Jan-Maree and Karen R,

 

I have recently returned from Europe and returned to work today. Your email is the first thing I wanted to respond to.

I was absolutely delighted when I unboxed the quilt and the laundry bag in Germany. A little piece of home to add to and to liven my accommodation was very much appreciated.

The personalised letter was warming to read in the sub-zero temperatures that was the end of my deployment.

I brought the quilt in to get the attached photo for you – the NATO staff at the Headquarters all found the quilt and the cause extremely humbling. The Ukrainians especially.

 

This is the second quilt I have received in my career – the first became both my daughters nursery throw blanket over 10 years ago and is still used today in their play room.

Now having two, my daughters will have one each for their rooms. They loved how beautiful and colourful they are and give them an attachment point for when I am away.

 

I thank you all for your support, the quilt continually reminded me of the support that is across the Australian community for our veterans.

Please keep up the absolutely fantastic work that you are all doing – I can tell you it is extremely appreciated

 

Thank you

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G'day Bel P and Jan-Maree (and Janice B),

Just a super quick note to say thanks for my quilt. It is simply wonderful in every way - craft, story and comfort. I really appreciate the way you have told my story without it being too 'in the face'. Thanks also to Joan B for the embroidery. 

My doggoes, they are my world and whilst they are not allowed near my new quilt - they are otherwise with me all the time. I do some limited craft, mainly blanket hacks and modified jackets for my dogs, but also a bunch of upscaled jackets for my dog show stewarding role and other cosplay stuff...

Again thanks for all you do to support veterans and a heartfelt thanks to the other (ex)serving family members around your team.

I hope this note finds you all well,

Bestest;

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When visiting a local nursing home for Remembrance Day, CPO Chris met Ian Leslie Smith, a Navy veteran.  As it turns out, Ian’s sister mentioned that he is a survivor of the Voyager collision. Chris’ first thought was to see if we could arrange an Aussie Hero Quilt for him. Absolutely!
A few months later, Ian was invited to HMAS Cairns in the Combined Mess.
Ian was able to tell his story of the collision, what took place in regards to himself and it was very well received by the 40 personnel present. As Ian said, he just wanted for personnel to hear his story and he got that in such a big way.
He was also presented with his very own Aussie Hero Quilt which was very well received. Thanks for facilitating this quilt for a wonderful veteran with a great story.

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Cheers Catherine D

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻