Grati-Wednesday 10th June 2026

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

We have some ripper thank you's this week.

The first one from a recipient who has just attended his 50th anniversary of joining the Navy!

The messages come to us from all over the globe this week so grab a nice warm cuppa or cold drink (depending on where you live!), sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude

***

Hi Sheena B,

I hope this finds you well.

Have just got home from our 10 week caravan trip where we departed Hervey Bay and got home today.  The trip took us to Adelaide for my intake’s 50^th Anniversary of joining the RAN celebrations, where a great time was had catching up with some of the guys I joined with that I have not seen since March 1977.  A beer or 3 may have been enjoyed by us all :)

Thanks for the Aussie quilt that you made for me to recognise my 50 years of association with the RAN, nearly 40 of which is active service.  The attention to detail and quality of the quilt you have produced for me is outstanding and will take pride of place on our caravan bed as we continue our travels.

I mention the 40 years of service as I had a 10 year break when I discharged from full-time service in 1998 and commenced working in the corporate Information Technology sector.   Around 2009, I was contacted by a former serving colleague of mine if I would be interested in rejoining as a reservist to provide assistance in developing training for the Communications Branch which were about to start training sailors in Local Area Network (LAN) Administration as well as other computer focused subjects.   

During the period that I was working in the IT sector, I gained accreditation with Microsoft as a Systems Engineer as well as other IT areas as well, additionally, I had undertaken some university studies as well.  It was these studies that provided the basis for me to once again don the uniform and pass on some of the skills that I had acquired during my time in the civilian world.

I also undertook some 3 years of working in the Australian Public Service in a Customer Relationship Officer role at HMAS Cerberus and it was when Covid19 occurred that I again found myself back in uniform where over the 2.5 years of COVID19, I was responsible for looking after over 8000 personnel at HMAS Cerberus.

I am now in my final 12 months of service as my Compulsory Retirement Age extension will finish 30 Jun 27 and am working remotely for HMAS Cerberus. Your beautifully produced quilt will serve as a reminder of my service and all that made up the greatest portion of my adult working life.

Thanks again and I wish you well.

***

Good afternoon Bridget R. 

Sorry for not responding for so long. I was busy.

Thank you very much for the blanket. I really liked it. I will keep it as a reminder of the Australians who train soldiers from Ukraine.

Sincerely,

*** 

Hello Sue N 

Sorry it has taken a while to reply, life, need I say more!

Thank you so much for my Aussie Hero Quilt. It sits in my office and I have had lots of compliments!

Thanks and take care.

 *** 

Bridget R & Clarissa L, 

We received our quilts and laundry bags today and we were just thrilled. They are amazing and we cannot thank you and everyone involved in making them for us. What a wonderful keepsake everyone has created for us and we will always treasure them.

Once again thank you so very much for our beautiful Quilts. We are so very grateful and thank you to everyone who give their time for our service members past and present. Such a wonderful organisation.

Kind Regards

Note: The quilts made by Bridget R and laundry bags made by Clarissa L were organised and presented by Tracey P. The couple lost their property during the recent Victorian Bushfires. 

 *** 

Dear Leita H,

 

I just wanted to pass on a quiet thank you for your beautiful laundry bag.

 

My daughter who is eight, wants to be a dress maker and she was thoroughly impressed by your laundry bag, which this morning also became a quilt.

 

While Angel (the appaloosa brumby’s new name, if he didn’t already have one?) may hold laundry and keep small feet warm, the laundry bag has inspired sewing lessons with Grandma.  And who knows what else from there.

 

Thanks again

 *** 

Dear Jan-Maree,

 

I write on behalf of the 1st Landing Craft Battalion, which is the Australian Army’s newest unit. We were officially raised in January this year and had our establishment parade in March. Our unit consists of over 250 personnel across Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin and our mission is focused on littoral operations. This involves operation the legacy fleet of landing craft and preparing for the new Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels. These will be built in Western Australian over the coming years, with 18 medium vessels and eight heavy vessels.

 

In preparation for the new vessels, our people are out on various vessels across not only Australia, but with our international partners across the world. Some of us have been fortunate enough to have previously received a custom laundry bag and quilt whilst serving on Royal Australian Navy ships. They make life so much easier, as well as giving a personal touch whilst as sea.

 

Earlier in the year, Captain J wrote to the wonderful crew at Aussie Hero Quilts to request some generic laundry bags for our new crews and these arrived at our office this week. Thank you so much; your package put a smile on our faces! With an upcoming training block in Cairns, I will ensure our new soldiers have laundry bag.

 

I will have them individually write to the person who created their bag, however we wanted to express our collective appreciation for your organisation. As we develop our capability and grow vessel crews, we look forward to further forging a relationship and connecting more soldiers with Aussie Hero Quilts.

 

We would also like to offer our congratulations on Aussie Hero Quilts reaching its 15th Anniversary. It is a massive achievement, and our service personnel sincerely appreciate your team.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

*** 

Dear Angela T,

Thank you so much for your letter and for the laundry bag you kindly made and sent to us here on deployment. Receiving mail from home is always special, and reading about you, your family, and your connection to the Australian Defence Force made it even more meaningful.

It was wonderful to hear about your sons service and deployments, as well as the proud military history that runs through your family. It is clear that service to Australia has been an important part of your family’s story for generations.

Your support through Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags is greatly appreciated. While it may seem like a simple item, receiving something handmade and knowing that someone back home has taken the time to support us means a great deal. It reminds us that Australians are thinking of us and valuing the work we do.

Thank you also for sharing a little about your own life and family. I enjoyed reading your story and hearing about your move to QLD and the many experiences that have shaped your life. It is inspiring to see the dedication and generosity of volunteers like yourself who continue to give their time in support of serving members.

I am currently deployed to the Middle East and your letter was a welcome reminder of home. Thank you for your kindness, encouragement, and ongoing support of Australian service personnel.

Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved with Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags. The work you all do is genuinely appreciated.

Wishing you and your family all the very best.

Kind regards,

 ***

Good Afternoon Bev and Geoff C,

I just wanted to say a big thank you to the both of you for the quilt I have recently received. I appreciate the time, effort and craftsmanship that went into the quilt are truly appreciated.

Please know that your work makes a real difference and is greatly valued by those fortunate enough to receive one. Thank you for your kindness, dedication, and support of ADF personnel.

The season hasn’t been too great for us magpie supporters, hopefully the boys can pick up a few more wins in the next coming weeks and make a push for finals!

Kind Regards,

*** 

Dear Marianne R,

I hope you’re doing well.

I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for making the bag that I received. Your kindness, generosity, and the time and effort you put into creating it are truly appreciated.

It’s wonderful to know there are people like you supporting serving members through Aussie Heros. Receiving something handmade with such care means a great deal, and I am very grateful for your contribution.

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and for the support you provide through volunteer work. Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

***

Dear Margaret B,

 

Thank you very much for the beautiful gift bag and your thoughtful letter. I was touched by the care and effort you put into making it so personal.

 

The football theme was especially meaningful, as football is my son’s favourite sport and he currently play for Lions FC in the NPL 1 competition in Brisbane.

My wife and I also love coffee, and our family enjoys fishing, so many of the items on the bag connected with us perfectly.

 

The Australian and Defence themed items brought back memories of my time training in the field at the Officer Training school in East Sale. I especially appreciated the connection to service and chaplaincy.

 

By way of introduction, I am a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia and previously served within the Sydney Central Coast Presbytery before entering Military chaplaincy.

 

Thank you again for your kindness, support, and blessing. Please pass on my gratitude to everyone involved with Aussie hero Quilts. Your gift is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered.

 

God bless you and your family.

***

Good evening Clarissa L,

I am writing to thank you for my Aussie Hero laundry bag. I genuinely could not be happier with the themes and the work you put into it. A very cherished piece of memorabilia..

I am a country boy from a small town in NSW. Family farm has been in the family for over 100 years. Catholic Pastoral Associate with Catholic Military Ordinariate. 

Married with 4 children, 3 boys, 25, 25, 21 and 1 girl 13. 

My military pedigree started with my great uncle who was a Rat of Tobruk, wounded and held prisoner for 15 days. I have served since 2003 and my niece is serving in the Navy. I have not yet been able to convince one of my own children to join but maybe my daughter will give it a crack.

I am based in Puckapunyal at School of Armour (SOARMD), unaccompanied for the first time in 23 years. Hoping to be posted to Holsworthy to be closer to family.

You mentioned in your letter that you and your husband are Rugby fans, as I write this email my 13 year old daughter is playing in Dubbo at the State Rugby Championships for U/14 Illawarra Warriors.

I got a chuckle out of your joke "sew much fun" as my mother in law would make the same joke whilst making quilts for the family.

If there is anything I can do for you or your family please don't hesitate to ask.

*** 

Hello Bev & Geoff C,

I'm a soldier who received the hero quilt you made.

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart, it is truly an amazing quilt and it will be in my family for the rest of my life.

Thank you for giving me something so lovely to mark my deployment.

Kindest regards 

*** 

Dear Jan-Maree

I write to thank you for the beautiful quilt delivered via Pello's friend.  It certainly cheered my day.

Reading your letter and the history of Aussie Hero Quilts (& Laundry Bags), I feel very honoured to be a recipient of one.

I love it and will treasure it.

You also made one for my husband when he was deployed overseas many years ago.  Our grandson loves the boat on it and tried to claim it as his. (we play along)

Once more, thank-you. I am deeply moved by your kindness.

Go gently

 *** 

Dear Bev and Geoff C,

I just wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for the beautiful quilt you made for me.

The work and craftsmanship that has gone into it is truly amazing, and it’s clear how much care and effort you both put into creating it. I’m deployed on OP MAZURKA and currently at home on leave before heading back for a couple more months, and it has been wonderful to receive such a thoughtful gift.

Your work certainly does not go unnoticed. The quilts you make bring so much joy and comfort to everyone who receives one, and I feel very lucky to be among them.

Thank you both again for your generosity, talent, and the time you dedicate to making these special gifts.

With sincere thanks,

***

Good morning Marianne R,

I have newly posted to HMAS Canberra. I enlisted to the RAN early last year and spent all of 2025 in training completing my recruits and my IETs course to become a chef.

I am writing to you to thank you for the beautiful laundry bag I received.

I love the colours and patterns – they remind me of nan who loves bright colours and patterns, which this laundry bag is covered in. It brings back so many fond memories of sleep overs and Christmas’ that that I spent there with my sisters and all my cousins. This bag brings me so much joy and reminds me of home and my family when I can’t be with them. This connection was so unexpected and I am truly grateful for the memories and reminders you have given me.

I am so incredibly grateful for your kindness and generosity. I absolutely love it and it will be treasured and used often.

Thank you again,

*** 

Cheers Bel P

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

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