Hello Friday!!!
Another week of Amazing Quilts and Laundry Bags being sent off to our ADF!!
I think we can all agree, a great display of skill, imagination and creativity in the following quilts and laundry bags.
Please enjoy!!!
🌟 🌟 🌟
This week we dispatched 9 Quilts which takes our yearly total to 47 and our grand total to 15,226!!
We also dispatched 7 Laundry Bags which takes our yearly total to 105 and our grand total is 32,841!!
🧵🦘🇦🇺🪡
Dear Barbara W,
Thank you very much for the beautiful quilt you made and sent to me during my recent deployment. I was so thrilled to receive it!
The inclusion of my grandmothers' birthdays was significant as I lost both of them in 2022 aged 96 and 101! They were both amazing women who I admired and loved greatly and miss very much. So the quilt will always hold a special place in my heart for that reason.
I applaud you and all the other ladies who give your valuable time making the quilts and laundry bags for those of us serving away from home. It really means a lot to us.
Kind regards,
...
Dear Lynn F,
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the lovely hero quilt I have received and I was fortunate enough that I was presented it by an old friend and my wife during my last days in the Regular Army.
I have been to the American Hospital in Germany on several occasions to visit our wounded and seen the benefits of the quilts to those soldiers who have received them, also for those ADF personnel in the Middle East and Afghanistan, great work by Aussie Hero Quilts organisation and the ladies who create them.
Again my thanks to you for the fantastic quilt and time and effort that had gone into making it, it will be a treasure I will value always.
Kindest Regards
Dear Ellen N,
Thank you so much for the extraordinary quilts you made for our HMAS Anzac Sick Bay. They are so creative and special and the team will treasure them through our upcoming deployment and for many, many years to come. Our crew think that what you and the AHQ team of volunteers do is really amazing and makes service life so much more special for each of us working in the Australian Defence Force and often away from our loved ones, homes and our communities. The quilts bring so much joy to the crew and they really look forward to seeing the fantastic designs that you all create around the ship. We feel so very privileged to have an item aboard that really carries the creative spirit of the person who made it.
I am a Maritime Spiritual Wellbeing Officer (MSWO) in the RAN, which is essential a secular/non-denominational Chaplain. I’m very privileged to be one of the first of my kind in the ADF and the first MSWO at sea. As a MSWO, it’s an absolute honour to serve, support and care for our sailors, officers and their families and loved ones at sea and ashore and it’s a role that resonates in all I do. Before I appointed to the RAN, I worked as a mental health clinician in the civilian health sector for nearly two decades, primarily in acute inpatient psychiatry, community case management and private practice; so whilst it’s similar work in the helping people sense, it’s in a different and dynamic environment at sea and in an operational capacity. My professional background is as an occupational therapist, so I loved hearing that your daughter is an OT too. It sounds like you have not only a strong military tradition in your extended family, but strong links to healthcare with your previous work in nursing and both daughters in health.
I joined Anzac last year and we were away for about half of the year on various deployments. I will continue to be posted to Anzac for this year and we have a big deployment coming up in a couple of months so I’ll be gone for most of the year ahead. My husband also serves in the Navy as a Submariner and whilst I have only been in the RAN for just under two years, he has served for eighteen years now. My father was a Vietnam Veteran and served in the Army so our family also has had a strong tradition of serving Australia, the Commonwealth and her people. Unfortunately my father passed away a few years ago before I appointed so he did not get to see me in this role. Dad used to talk about the Padres and how essential they were in supporting the troops; so this position is even more poignant for me on a personal level. My husband and I have a little boy who’s four and starting school at the end of the month so that’s really exciting for us and we’re happy we are both alongside and not away at sea at the moment to be there for it.
Thank you again for the beautiful quilts and your involvement with Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags), we are so very grateful for your time and effort and your ongoing support of our people who serve. I’ve included some photos of your quilts. I hope that you and your husband have some great traveling adventures this year across Australia. Many blessings to you and your loved ones.
Cheers,
G’day Margaret B,
Thank you for the Hero Quilt it is fantastic and I’m incredibly impressed with your efforts! I had just returned from my mid-mission leave and received it, so it was a nice surprise to be given something upon returning to the mission.
I’m impressed by the detail and you’ve hit the tone perfectly in reference the blue, it’s something I’ll ensure is placed with all my memorabilia for my career to date and specifically with the OP ASLAN portion.
Between you and me I like to crank up the air conditioner in my room to make it cold enough that I actually use it on the couch!
I was pleased to hear of you attending the function in Canberra, one of my mates who deployed just recently, was actually at the event, and is a big supporter of the cause. I learned from her about Aussie Hero Quilts whilst on a training course for pre-deployment.
I’m currently transitioning to the back end of my deployment with just less than 10 weeks to go. Upon return to Australia my fiancée and I will be moving to my next posting as an instructor at the Royal Military College – Duntroon, we’re both looking forward to living and working within Canberra.
Prior to deploying we were in Lismore NSW and I was able to help out with all the flood rescues and assistance efforts, we were lucky in that the Defence property we were in was on the ridge above the town so the worst we encountered was a waterfall through our backyard. The dogs were soaked and essentially from then lived inside and my partner works from home and was able to welcome me home with a hot meal, as the unit was on the go 18 hours a day there for a bit to ensure we did the best we could to help the community.
Say g’day to your husband, the cats and dogs for me, I hope all is well for you in the New Year and that it’s a healthy and prosperous year for your whole family.
Once again thank you for the quilt, I have a son due in June this year which is my first and I’m sure he’ll also love the quilt.
Cheers from a hot and dusty South Sudan!
Good Morning Aussie Hero Quilts,
Thank you to the team for organising such beautiful and thoughtful quilts to be sent to the current rotation of ADF personnel on Op Aslan. My own quilt is just gorgeous and I was hoping you could pass on the below message to Deni G for me.
Dear Deni G,
Thank you so much for the wonderful quilt and laundry bag you made for me. It means so much to receive such a special gift which I know would have taken a lot of effort and skill to make. I myself have only made two quilts in my time, but the experience has taught me that there is a lot of care, expertise and patience going into a quilt as beautiful as the one you made for me.
I am an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force and have been serving for 17 years now. My current deployment to South Sudan as part of the United Nations Mission is my first peacekeeping mission and it has been quite the eye-opening experience. I am reminded every day just how lucky we are to live in such beautiful country with clean water from the tap, food, health care, free education and most importantly – a community that cares.
Thank you for the lovely letter that came with the quilt and blanket. 5 grandsons must be quite the handful! It sounds like you have a lovely family around you (and an interesting and distinguished family history). It must be very special to have your mum celebrating her 97th birthday- quite the achievement! I’m glad you got to escape winter this year to Darwin. I was posted there for 5 ½ years and have very fond memories of the warm nights, walks along the esplanade and the great atmosphere during Dry Season. Hopefully you had a chance to do the Adelaide River Jumping Crocs cruise, it is definitely my favourite tourist attraction up there.
I count myself very lucky to wear the uniform and follow in the footsteps of pioneering women such as your mother and serve Australia in whatever way I can. Thank you for your creativity, patience and kindness in creating something that is likely to be a family heirloom for my family.
Kind regards,
Dear Jan-Maree (Bridget & Keryn),
I received my Aussie Hero Quilt and Laundry bag in the post just before Christmas last year 2022. It appears it had been redirected to my home address by the defence postal system.
Thank you so much for these beautiful and unique gifts. I am particularly impressed by the amount of time and effort that must have been dedicated to making the quilt and laundry bag for me while I was deployed. I’m sure this would have been very memorable had I received it while I was still overseas.
Now that I have returned to Australia, I will continue to work in my normal field of expertise with the memory of my time on operations in Africa. Your Quilt and Laundry bag will provide a positive reminder I can keep for the rest of my life.
Kind Regards
Good Afternoon Gail M,
I’m a Combat Engineer in the Australian Army.
I recently received one of your laundry bags. I’d like to thank you and your fellow Quilters for the time and thought you put into creating quilts and laundry bags to supporting us.
I grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. After completing year 12 I became an arborist and spent five and a half years in the industry, before joining the army in 2014. I went through basic training at Kapooka then job specific training at the School of Military Engineering at Holsworthy. On completion I was posted to the 1st Combat Engineer regiment in Darwin and I have spent the last seven years posted there. I have been promoted twice and I’m currently a Corporal.
Whilst in the Army I have done training all over Australia. I haven’t been overseas with defence, but I’ve been part of three Operations. I helped clean up around Darwin after Cyclone Marcus in 2018. I went to Kangaroo Island as part of Operation Bushfire Assist at the start of 2020 and received an ADF Bronze Commendation for my professionalism, skill and leadership while leading small teams conducting tree work as part of the clean-up. I was also part of Operation COVID Assist first in opening a military quarantine area near Darwin and then helping out with the hotel quarantine in Melbourne.
I am currently in the process of leaving the full time Army. I intend to become a carpenter with my Dad and continue to serve through the Army Reserves.
Thank you again for the laundry bag.
Kind Regards,
Gday Gail M,
I was fortunate enough to receive your laundry bag just before leaving for my Christmas break.
I am 22 years old and currently serving in the 1st Combat engineer regiment in Darwin N.T. Firstly I would like to thank you for this lovely gift, wherever I travel now for work it will accompany me. Loved reading about your family and your passions. My girlfriend and I have a dream of buying a sailboat and sailing around Australia. I have grown up on fishing boats all my life but never attempted to sail. Your grandchildren sound wonderful and remind me of my sister and me, she rode horses and I rode dirt bikes.
I am from a small country town in Victoria where my parents still live, I have a twin sister and an older brother. My mum also loves to Quilt and has been doing so for quite some time; my place has three quilts she made for me and when I sent a photo of the laundry bag, she was quite jealous that she hadn't thought of making one.
I would like to extend the invitation to you and your husband that if you decide to brave the territory heat and visit Darwin for a holiday, I would love to give you a tour of where I work and what capabilities my job holds.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday,
...
Good morning,
We
have another relatively small request list this week but don’t you worry. In
the next few weeks the numbers will grow again. I am delighted to let you know
that very soon we will be receiving requests from the soldiers who have departed
on Operation Kudu. These are the troops
that departed for Europe last week where they will be training the Ukraine
soldiers to defend their country. What an important task to be part of and I am
so pleased that we will be able to let our troops know that we are proud of
them.
The
Commanding Officer of the Regiment that has sent these troops to Europe was on
the phone to me as soon as he knew we had extended the offer of quilts and bags.
He immediately told me that he is a recipient himself, after a deployment to
Iraq in 2016, and that he still treasures his quilt made for him by Jenny
W. He is really delighted and grateful
that we will be looking after his soldiers.
These
videos will explain more about their mission if you have not heard about it.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-17/australian-troops-bound-for-uk-to-train-forces/101865504
My
plan is that each quilt will include a patch that reads Op Kudu 2023.
I
am sure that you all know that the Ukraine flag is blue over yellow and you probably
know that their national flower is the sunflower. Usually a symbol of loyalty
or adoration, a happy flower, sunflowers have taken on a new meaning with the
event of the war in Ukraine.
On
Feb. 24, sunflowers entered the world's consciousness thanks to a video clip
first posted by Ukraine World. In the brief clip, a Ukrainian woman is seen
challenging a heavily armed Russian soldier, insisting he pocket a handful of
sunflower seeds so that they'll grow when he's killed on Ukrainian terrain. My goodness, what courage!
So, a small list this week but let’s see if we can get some of these requests out of the way so that we can be free to eagerly support the soldiers on Operation Kudu when their requests come in.
Here
is the request list for this week. Happy hunting. I hope you can find something
that tickles your fancy.
POST BY DATE
The post by date for all Requests on this list is 27
February 2023 please, or earlier if you can manage this. If you cannot make that date, please let me
know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or
the other. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know
BEFORE you post it. Also, if this time
frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss, thank
you.
Request Information
When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable. A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours and include only one of their interests. It is fine to keep it simple.
If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated….i.e. one of the following please…. There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list.
Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there. We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.
A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the PMKEYS number given you in any correspondence with the admin team. This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc. The PMKEYS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g. the 7-digit number in bold below.
CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432
TG 3456
AFPO XX
ADF
Sydney NSW 2890
Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender - the PO Box is a safe place in the event of any mishaps with postage.
Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags)
PO Box 248,
Cherrybrook, NSW 2126
Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name and PMKEYS of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops. I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring.
If you are using a AHQ supplied prepaid satchel please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney.
Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination.
Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you.
Helpful info may be gleaned here http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/2019/07/information-post-for-those-that-sew-for.html I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.
For example….
Marvel Theme. Ironman
M LB 1
This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request. If you find it hard to copy and paste, please copy the line out as above.
Decoding The Columns
The first column is the theme or preferences requested.
The second column indicates the gender of the recipient.
The third column is as follows.
B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish)
Q= just a quilt
LB = just a laundry bag
F= female
M= male
Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions....Just email friendsofahq@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing what you want to make
this week. Happy stitching!
Cheers,
Jan-Maree
P.P.S. Don't forget to check out AHQ on the Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
|
Green, Blue, Yellow. Liverpool Football Club, Fav sports to play
included Golf, Volleyball and Soccer |
M |
Q |
1 |
|
Batman Joker, Darth Vader Luke Skywalker |
M |
Q |
2 |
|
Tiger/Whale Sharks, XXXX Gold beer, labradors |
F |
Q |
3 |
|
Red, Adventure Dirt Motorcycles, 4WD Adventure, Dakar Rally |
M |
Q |
4 |
|
NRL Cowboys, Red cattle dog, Rick and Morty, Adventure time, Katana
(Sword). F1 |
M |
Q |
5 |
|
Legend of Zelda, The Avengers |
M |
Q |
6 |
|
NRL Melbourne Storm, Gym, Chef |
M |
Q |
7 |
|
Rotweillers, surfing, VBs |
M |
Q |
8 |
|
Surfing, Kitesurfing, Yacht, Blue/Grey |
M |
Q |
9 |
|
Southeast Asia / Northeast Asia theme, missiles, destroyers, AEGIS
logo (we can provide the logo) |
M |
Q |
10 |
|
Rainbow, Dungeons and Dragons/Fantasy Monsters |
M |
Q |
11 |
|
Melbourne Storm, 2 names on it |
M |
Q |
14 |
|
XXXX (beer) Naruto Shippudon, Ice cube(rapper), easy e(rapper), tupac
(rapper), Biggie smalls(rapper), |
M |
Q |
15 |
|
adventure time cartoon, rick and morty cartoon |
M |
Q |
16 |
|
Staffy dogs and pineapples. With some military aspects like Lest we
Forget, RAAF crest (we can provide the crest) |
F |
Q |
17 |
|
Navy blue, tuquoise, black, silver, red. Tennis, surfing, sports cars, super
hornets |
M |
Q |
18 |
|
Cowboys (NRL), |
M |
Q |
19 |
|
Blue, Sports |
M |
Q |
20 |
|
Red, Liverpool Football Club |
M |
Q |
21 |
|
Dark Blue quilt with RASIGS badge + NZDF REME Text "Amicitia" (we can provide the RASIGs badge and the
NZDF REME badge and can have the text embroidered) |
M |
Q |
22 |
|
Navy Veteran, enlisted 1963-1984 |
M |
Q |
23 |
|
Rising Sun and RAAC badges |
M |
B |
24 |
|
Military Aircraft, RAAF crest, RAAF theme (we can supply badges) |
M |
B |
25 |
|
Air to Air Refuelling RAAF KC-30A & USA KC-46A partnership (we
could provide silhouette for applique) |
M |
B |
26 |
|
Army service crest (Rising Sun), the RASIGS Corps badge the Australian
flag and a Raven (yes, the bird represents my trade in the Army). (We can
supply the badges) |
M |
B |
27 |
|
Archery, Yellow & Red |
M |
B |
28 |
|
naval flavour and/or snowy mountains (WE can supply RAN Crest) |
F |
B |
29 |
|
I am a golf nut, Brisbane Bronco’s and Carlton supporter and a fan of
English soccer team of Leeds United. |
M |
B |
30 |
|
RAAF Crest and/or the Roundel and other RAAF images such as some of
our iconic aircraft would be fabulous. Childrens names and DOB. (WE can
supply crests/badges/embroidery of children's details. We can also supply
silhouette of aircraft for applique) |
F |
B |
31 |
|
RAAF crest. Aviation theme - KC30A & Hercules (the aircraft I have
deployed to the middle East with) |
M |
Q |
32 |
|
dark blue, light blue, black, silver, orange |
M |
Q |
33 |
|
Formula 1 (Sebastian Vettel), Le Mans, All things car racing. My
favourite colours are Blacks, Greys and blues. |
M |
B |
34 |
|
I’m a crazy cat lady. I have 2
cats- Willow is black and white and Tiger is ginger white. (Photo available).
Please incorporate the letter "B". dark blue / Purple (no pinks!!). I scuba dive and love the coral reef of
Fiji and the sharks. Red and purple poppies |
F |
Q |
35 |
|
Yellow, black, reading, beach,
travel |
F |
Q |
36 |
|
The RAAF Crest and WOFF rank to
be included. 38SQN with the Caribou aircraft and 10SQN with the Orion
aircraft. OP Helpem Fren Solomon Islands 2004. Blue and green. Passionate North
Queensland Cowboys supporter (we can supply RAAF crest and WOFF Rank) |
F |
B |
37 |
|
a military theme I love some poppy's on there and the silhouette of a
soldier (if possible) and the rising sun badge. (We can supply the bagde) |
F |
Q |
38 |
|
Bright and bold colours, anything from the Simpsons, and if it could
have the Special Operations Command and
Regiment badges that would be fabulous. (We can supply the badges) |
F |
Q |
39 |
|
rising sun, Artillery, military police badge, recruit instructor badge |
M |
LB |
40 |
|
Australian flag included and also the RAAF service crest including
persaonl details. Caravanning and fishing (We can supply the service crest) |
M |
B |
41 |
|
RAAPC badge and poppies. |
F |
B |
42 |
|
GWS Giants (AFL Team) and running, as I am an endurance runner. |
M |
LB |
43 |
|
Dogs (working dogs or on the very minute chance of Belgian Malinois or
German Shepards), |
F |
B |
44 |
|
RAAF crest, aircraft worked on - HERC, Falcon, Hornet, hawk, spartan
or 37sqn, 34SQN, 77SQN, 2 SQN (before planes arrived ) 35SQN, 76SQN ..he
loves Holden cars, Star Wars, star trek, scotch (whiskey make his own home
brew-spirits ) Remembrance poppy (We can supply the RAAF crest and crests for
the air force squadrons. alternately we can supply silhouettes of aircraft
for applique) |
M |
B |
45 |
