Hello Shirley,

I am a serving member in the Australian Army, and I was blessed to receive one of your laundry bags today. 

I would just like to thank you very much for your time and effort to make soldiers and defence force personnel laundry bags.

Kindest Regards.

Hi Bridget,

Firstly I wish to congratulate you on an impressive Hero Quilt! It is exceptional! Your work with fabric to make the Power Ranger helmets/silhouette and overall quality of the quilt is superb – I am torn between hanging it on my wall or sleeping under it! So thank you very very much for your efforts! As a young boy I cherished everything Power Rangers and coming home from a long day here in Africa, I know your quilt will keep me smiling and remembering home!

Because I am not sure what you know about me already, I think an introduction of my own is in order. I hail from Queensland, although posted in New South Wales, and currently here in Africa, working for the United Nations – interesting work and a great opportunity to see and experience working with a great many cultures in one building. 

I am an Army Major who specialises in Mechanical Engineering and operations planning for a logistics battalion. This year I reached my first long service medal of 15 years (I don’t recall where those 15 years went). I’m happily married to a woman who happens to be a nurse. She is carrying our first child. We’ve only just surprised our families with the news this past weekend. My return to Australia, gives me a short time to catch up on being away for the best part of the year, and sure to pamper my wife, before our bub arrives.

We have to dogs, both German Shepherd mixes. They are keeping my wife safe and loved (and a little nuts) in my absence. One of my favourite parts about coming home after long periods away, is the sheer chaos these two create when they see me again. I look forward to the day that a patter of little feet joins that mad rush to the door for my welcome home.

Bridget, once again I want to thank you very much for the quilt and laundry bag. In a place so isolated from Australia, your gift warms my heart and will continue to brighten my days away from home.

I wish you and family a Happy Christmas and safe holidays.

Best regards

Hi,

I was fortunate enough to have received your quilt you made from me. Thank you very much! I absolutely loved it and you captured the beach theme very well! 

The quilt always puts a smile on my face each time I see it. I requested a ‘beach’ theme as it is one of my favourite places I like to visit. It is my time to enjoy the outdoors, sun (most times), a place to relax, reflect and unwind. I find water very calming. So thank you for providing me with ‘that’ place here where I work in the Force Headquarters in Africa.

I really enjoyed hearing about you and your family. 

I grew up in both New South Wales and South Australia, although I call SA my home, as such, with most of my family members living in relatively close proximity. I joined the Army at the young age of 19 and just hit 16 years in the Army. I never thought I’d stay in the Army as long as I have. I have met some really great people and take great pride in wearing my uniform, serving my country.

I initially enlisted as a soldier as a logistician for four years, prior to transferring to become an Officer. I completed my training to join the Medical Corps as a General Service Officer. I have had very limited deployment opportunities in my career, with two overseas trips of approximately 6 weeks long. 

The Army has afforded me the opportunity to participate in Ex Long Look (British Army exchange program) and also take up rugby. I have been also fortunate enough to represent Australia in women’s rugby as part of the Wallaroos. I’m not sure what your interest is in sport, but I know women’s rugby isn’t that well known. I recently retired after 22 test caps for Australia in Feb this year, which has been one of my greatest achievements in my life.

My deployment will be 6 months long, so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes. So far, so good, and time is going quick. It’s been a very eye opening experience and is a very unique deployment. I work as Desk Officer in the Force Headquarters. I find this part really interesting and it definitely changes the working dynamics that I’m used to. There is a lot of opportunities to learn from other nationalities, whilst also challenging my level of acceptance for flexibility and understanding! I currently work with a team consisting of Mongolian, Norwegian, Rwandan, Ethiopian, Kenyan, Nepalese Brit and Indian Officers. Each have varying degrees of experience, and knowledge and work styles. The Australian contingent is only a small number of people. 

I am throughly enjoying the job, but at times it has been challenging. We can’t explore outside of base due to security issues, but the base itself is approximately 4.8km, so it makes for a good walk. Weather here is moving into the dry season, so reaches a top of 35/36 degrees and doesn’t drop below 20. I have experienced the end of the wet season, it is storm after storm, with big heavy rainfalls. I love watching a good storm, but it leaves the place a big muddy mess. So walking to work is not much fun!

During my spare time here, weekly we get together on Fridays after work with the other ‘five eyes’ (UK, Brits, US, NZ counterparts, and we include the Norwegians), for a couple of drinks and dinner. It’s a nice quiet time to relax and chat about the week. During the weekends, time is generally our own. We have been conducting Australian training every now and then, which has been enjoyable. I still have a few reports to send in for work each day on the weekend, but it generally doesn’t take me too long.

Thank you very much again for my quilt. I absolutely love it. I will not forget the generosity you have shown in taking your time and effort to provide me with memories of my favourite place back home. I hope you had a great weekend and COVID isn’t restricting too much of your travel plans.

Take care.

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