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

https://www.google.com/search?q=LTCOL+Chris+Gilmore&rlz=1C1UEAD_en-GBAU974AU974&oq=LTCOL+Chris+Gilmore&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i30i546j0i546l2.5207j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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 to 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 from Information For Those That Sew

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….

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 or write the line out as above as:

Marvel Theme. Ironman   M   LB   1

Decoding The Columns:

The first column is the theme or preferences requested.

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient:

F = female

M = male

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

The fourth column is the number of the request.

Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions….Just email co*******@au**************.au

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 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.