Hi Ruth,

Thank you so very much for my laundry bag. I absolutely love it and it has made my day. This deployment has been very challenging with the COVID situation. It is nice to have a laundry bag that reminds me of my passion for sailing and the reason I joined the Navy.

I also have a turtle at home, so this laundry bag is me through and through.

I hope you haven’t been too effected by COVID.

Thank you again.

….

Good Afternoon Bridget,

I am the Tactical Data Link Advisor aboard HMAS Sydney. I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for the amazing quilt and laundry bag that you have lovingly put together and sent to me. I received them during our Combat System Sea Qualification Trials to the United States.

The first time I heard about Aussie Hero Quilts was whilst deployed to the Middle East Region in 2016. That was a very tough deployment for the ship, and sadly we lost one of our brothers whilst on shoe respite. Upon return to Fleet Base there were a number of the ladies who made some of the quilts and laundry bags on the wharf alongside Jan-Maree, which was a lovely gesture to finish our deployment.

I can’t recall if it was after that deployment or during that there was a fire that destroyed a signifcant amount of the quilting equipment owned by Aussie Hero Quilts. I recall our Commanding Officer jumping on the Main Broadcasting System to allow us all to know what had happened. 

Darwin decommissioned shortly after in 2017 and I was lucky enough to go through the process as a Leading Seaman Anti Submarine Aircraft Controller. I recall Jan-Maree return to the ship prior to our decommissioning to thank us for our donation with our own Darwin Laundry Bags which were embroidered beautifully with our ships crest. This along side my South Sydney bag that I am now using onboard that hold significant place in my heart with my experiences on board that ship and with the kind souls at Aussie Hero Quilts.

Now for a little about me; I am Petty Officer. I am 27 years old and joined the Royal Australian Navy straight out of year 12 from NSW. My family background is heavily farming with both my mothers and fathers side conducting a mix of dairy, beef and produce between them. The going has been pretty tough of recent with the drought back home but the recent rains over the last 12 months have been a great relief and is slowly allowing us to return to normal practices. Slowly but surely.

I decided to join the Navy in 2012 at the age of 18 as Combat System Operator. Most people from my town, became farmers, mechanics or go to University. So joining the Navy was quite different from the norm. I am also the first member of my family since the 1940’s to conduct full time Military service of which I am very proud.

My mother and father still live in my home town, and my two brothers live close by. Recently my father quit his job as a mechanic and has taken over the farm from my grandfather who has recently gotten to the age where working the farm by himself has become a bit too much. My mother works at the local school as a teacher, which she loves.

Since joining the Navy, I have served on HMA Ships Maryborough, Ararat, Parramatta, Ballarat, Sydney (IV), Darwin, Hobart and presently am serving on Sydney (V) since 2019. Totaling 8 years of sea going service. I have always loved the Navy since joining in 2012 and am extremely proud of my service. What fills me with joy is patriots such as yourself, who are more than happy to dedicate their time and support people within the ADF with gestures such as the quilts and laundry bags you create.

Once again, thank you so much for the quilt and laundry bag. I hope you and your family are remaining safe in these uncertain times.

Regards.

….

Good Afternoon Marilyn,

I received your beautiful laundry bag today, with your letter inside.

We are currently preparing to deploy on Operation COVID-19 Assist to work with State Police to contain the COVID outbreak on the East Coast.

Your laundry bags are really important to us – not only are they cool designs, but they help us distinguish our laundry when we have to wash our clothes. Due to the nature of our work and the virus, we have to get our washing professionally cleaned and separated from the laundry of others on base.

You beauty! It’s not everyday that someone does your washing for you.

I particularly love the design of my bag – I grew up in the country so have become very affectionate of my farm animal-themed laundry bag. I love it.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and considerate gift, it makes us feel loved and appreciated- and that means a lot.

With sincere thanks

….

Enough from me, hope you enjoy the read!