Happy Wednesday Friends!

I am still working through the backlog of thank you emails. Should be caught up soon.

Please enjoy another wonderful collection of gratitude letters.

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!

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Good Afternoon Janice B,

I have recently received a quilt from you and I just wanted to reach out to you to express my gratitude.

I enjoyed reading about your travels across the US and the world as I have recently been to California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah for a holiday and it was very beautiful.

I was very impressed by the effort put in to making my race car quilt it was exactly what I was hoping for. I want to wish you the very best with your future travels and thank you for making quilts your support means so much.

Kind Regards,

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Dear Clarissa

Thank you so much for the wonderful laundry bag. In the industrial workplace that is a ship, there aren’t many things that have been made to be aesthetic and I feel that absence. It’s lovely to have something that has been crafted deliberately with care, and that brings colour and beauty into the room.

Thank you also for your letter telling me a bit about yourself. I’d like to return the favour. I’m a Helicopter pilot based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra on the South Coast. I’m embarked on HMAS Supply for a deployment through Asia over the next few months.

My church family is All Saints Anglican. I lead youth group there on a Friday night and have the joy of serving in other ways throughout the week and on Sundays.

I enjoy surfing, reading, and playing guitar. I haven’t played rugby since high school, but I have watched the Wallabies with much hope (and disappointment) since we last won the Bledisloe when I was 5.

I grew up in Cooma, where my parents still live, and I still endeavour to go on cross-country skiing and bushwalking expeditions in the high country each year with my Dad and some of his old friends. My parents were medical missionaries in PNG before I was born. Dad is a GP/Obstetrician (amongst other things) and Mum is a theatre nurse by training. I have an older brother, also in the Navy, and two sisters.

I was pleasantly surprised to read that you are from Beecroft and worship at St. John’s. My Dad grew up in Cheltenham and my grandparents lived there for 47 years. My grandmother used to sing in the choir at St. Johns with her friend, who I believe is still a part of St. John's. I also knew LC (now G, I think) whose father was the minister there for some years. She was a teacher of mine at school and played a role in growing my faith as a teenager.

Among other interesting coincidences, I actually held a Bush Dance for my 27th birthday (but I wouldn’t call myself an avid dancer at all) and, having just bought my first house, I’m looking into setting up a small veggie plot and maybe getting a few hens of my own!

I hope and pray that you and your family are keeping well.

Very many thanks,

***

The following three thank yous are from the same recipient.

Dear Shirley D,

I hope this email finds you well.

I recently received the amazing laundry bag that you made for me through Aussie Hero Quilts while serving with the Australian Contingent in the Sinai as part of the Multinational Force and Observers. Thank you for the incredible time, care and generosity that went into making it. Receiving a parcel from home is always appreciated, but receiving something handmade by a complete stranger was something quite special and I couldn't be more grateful.I also wanted to thank you for taking the time to write such a personal letter. I genuinely enjoyed reading about your family, your textile art, and the remarkable work you have done supporting Australian service personnel since 2015.Of everything you wrote, it was the story of your father that resonated with me the most. During this deployment, I had the privilege of leading a battlefield study of Alexandria and El Alamein for our contingent, where we walked the ground, visited the Commonwealth War Cemetery and reflected on the actions fought there. Reading about your father's service with the 2/24th Battalion, and the sacrifices he made at both El Alamein and later in New Guinea, made me incredibly proud of his service and privileged to have stood on the same ground where he and so many other Australians fought. It also struck me that, more than eighty years later, an Australian soldier is serving in the same region while receiving a laundry bag made by the daughter of one of those veterans. That is a connection I will never forget.I also wanted to say how much I appreciated the Egyptian theme of the laundry bag. It was clear how much thought went into making something that reflected where I was serving, and the pyramids, the colours of sand and the kangaroos could not have been more fitting for my deployment with the MFO. It has already become one of my favourite keepsakes from my time in the Sinai and will be coming home to Australia with me when I return.There are many people who contribute quietly to Australia's military capability without ever wearing a uniform. Your generosity, talent and countless hours of volunteer work are part of that contribution. Although we have never met, your kindness reached me on the other side of the world and made a genuine difference.Thank you again for everything you do for Australian service men and women. It is deeply appreciated.

Kind regards,

❤❤❤

Dear Joy H,

I hope this email finds you well.I recently received the amazing quilt that you made for me through Aussie Hero Quilts while serving with the Australian Contingent in the Sinai as part of the Multinational Force and Observers. Thank you for the time, care and generosity that went into making them.Your timing was perfect. Linen is not easy to come by here, and until your quilt arrived my bed was covered by a fairly terrible white sheet that gave the room absolutely no colour or personality. Your quilt changed that immediately. It has made my room feel much more comfortable and much less temporary.I particularly loved your comment that the quilt is intended to 'gain character'. Please be assured it will not be folded away or protected from life. It will be used properly, both here in the Sinai (although it is currently 40 degrees here) and when I bring it home to Australia. I think that makes it far more meaningful.I also wanted to acknowledge what you wrote about not having served in the ADF yourself. Your decision to volunteer your time and skill to support deployed Australians is no small contribution. Although we have never met, your kindness reached me on the other side of the world and made a genuine difference.Thank you again for everything you do through Aussie Hero Quilts. It is deeply appreciated.

❤❤❤

Dear Jan-Maree,

I hope this email finds you well.I recently received a beautiful quilt and laundry bag through Aussie Hero Quilts while serving with the Australian Contingent in the Sinai as part of the Multinational Force and Observers. Although we have never met, I wanted to write to thank you personally for creating an organisation that has quietly supported so many Australian service men and women over the decades.I was particularly touched by the story you shared about how Aussie Hero Quilts began. What started with a desire to comfort one wounded Australian has grown into something that has touched the lives of thousands of current and former serving members. Reading that story before opening my own parcel made receiving it even more meaningful. I was in Afghanistan in 2012, in one of the darkest periods for Australian casualties and was a coffin bearer for far too many ramp ceremonies.It is difficult to explain just how much these gestures mean while deployed. Receiving a parcel from home is always appreciated, but receiving something that has been made by hand by volunteers who simply want to support complete strangers serving overseas is something altogether different. It is a tangible reminder that people back home are thinking of us, and it genuinely lifts morale.The quilt and laundry bag I received have already become part of my daily routine here in the Sinai. Like many deployed rooms, mine was fairly sparse before they arrived, and they have transformed it into a space that feels much more like home. More importantly, they serve as a constant reminder of the generosity of the Australians who support us from afar.Although I have already reached out myself, please also pass on my sincere thanks to Shirley D, who made my Egyptian-themed laundry bag, and Joy H, who made my quilt. Their craftsmanship and the personal letters they included made the experience all the more special.Thank you for having the vision to create Aussie Hero Quilts and for continuing to lead what is an extraordinary community of volunteers. The organisation succeeds in exactly what it sets out to do—it reminds deployed Australians that they are remembered, appreciated and supported by people back home. I can certainly say it achieved that for me.

With sincere thanks,

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Hello Ruth S,

I wanted to take the time to say a huge thank you for my Bluey inspired laundry bag.

It is very special to me as I have to Australian Cattle dogs myself and this now reflects them and when it is covered in dog hair it will be quite fitting!

This most definitely brightened my day.

Thank you again, I hope you are well.

Kind regards,

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Hello Marianne R,

I am writing to express my enormous thank you for my laundry bag you sent me whilst on deployment on in May 2026.

I absolutely love my laundry bag and it was a pleasant surprise when it was given to me, as I said...I wasn't expecting one!

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards,

***

The following two thank yous are from the same recipient.

Hi Bridget R,

I hope this email finds you well.

I recently received my personalised Hero Quilt at an unofficial (but very special) group gathering in Cape Town, South Africa. My wife and I were there on a safari organised by Nick Forster-Jones (of Diggers Rest)

To say my wife and I were speechless is an understatement. Seeing the care and effort that went into making this was extremely humbling. The fact that it was so personalised was deeply touching and greatly appreciated.

Please also pass on my thanks and great appreciation to Joan B. and Dorothy C.

I am going to hang this quilt in a prominent place in my house.

Warmest regards,

❤❤❤

Hi Clarissa L,

I hope this email finds you well.

I recently received my personalised Hero Laundry Bag at an unofficial (but very special) group gathering in Cape Town, South Africa. My wife and I were there on a safari organised by Nick Foster-Jones.

To say my wife and I were surprised (but extremely grateful) is an understatement. Seeing the care and effort that went into making this was extremely humbling. The fact that it was so personalised was deeply touching and greatly appreciated.

Thank you for sharing some details about yourself and your family. I want to thank you and your family for the service you have provided and continue to provide to our community. In particular, thank you to your son for his ADF service in Signals.

I work for RSL Queensland, and I am going to frame this bag and hang it in a prominent place in my office on the Sunshine Coast.

Warmest regards,

***

The following two thank yous are from the sister of a recipient. She nominated her brother for a quilt and laundry bag during out 15+ year offer from December 25.

To all the incredible team behind Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags,

It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about all the amazing people who made this idea possible and continue to keep it alive.

Both my brother's laundry bag and quilt have safely arrived and I have reached out to Ruth and Bobbie respectively to thank them personally from myself. I have no doubt my brother will also reach out and thank them himself once we present it to him.

Looking at his beautiful creations and even as I type this I continue to have tears welling in my eyes. His career in the RAAF hasn't been an easy one and yet it makes him who he is. So many deployments, so many weekends spent at their house when their children were young helping my sister in law out. We always just pray for his safety - both physically and mentally.

Bless you all for the time, materials and everything in between to make these quilts and laundry bags possible.

Warmest Regards,

❤❤❤

Good Morning Bobbie S & Mystery BoMers,

First and foremost I must apologise for opening my brothers envelope. I just knew it had to have your contact details in it and I wanted to let you know your beautiful quilt has arrived safely.

I have been in the Army Reserves for 16 years this year myself. My brother always told me I would see the light and move to RAAF and yet I have not. He is actually the black sheep of the family if I'm honest - everyone else went Army. Both our grandfather's and grandmother's served in the Army, our mum and dad, Aunt and Uncle - and they all met in the Army too. To keep with tradition that's where I also met my husband. You could say we all bleed green

My husband and I have 2 beautiful children who are 7 and 4.

I digress this is not about me, I have followed Aussie Hero Quilts for a long time and one day I saw that they were looking for nominations so I just knew I had to put my brother's name forward. He is celebrating 22 years of service on 3^rd August and my sister in law and I are planning a little shindig to present him his quilt and laundry bag. He is so passionate about the RAAF, the units he has belonged to all and all the deployments he has done. His daughter who is 16 and son who is 15 have been a huge part of my life especially when they were younger as I use to be over their house most weekends helping with the kids when my brother was on deployment. A lot of deployments. I am so very close with my brother, he is my best friend. Even typing this tears are welling in my eyes. His career has been a scary one at times but it also makes him who he is and we just pray for his safety all the time.

I absolutely loved reading about your story and why you are so generous with donating your time.

I can't thank you enough for making such a beautiful and incredible quilt. I have no doubt once I present my brother his quilt he will reach out and thank you himself.

Have the best day Bobbie - take care.

Wishing you health and happiness always.

Warmest Regards,

***

Good morning Janice B,

Thank you for the beautiful handmade quilt, the design and combination of colours are fantastic. It feels like really great quality.

I’ve shown the quilt to my co-workers, all who are very jealous.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your craft which inspires positivity in so many people, both in the crafting world and in the disability service – my fiancé is also in the disability community who works in advocacy for youth with disability.Please thank your husband Jeff on mine and my work mates behalf for his service – I would certainly rather be out field than in a submarine.

Best of luck with your future endeavours, thank you again for the quilt and your hard work.

Kind Regards,

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To Dearest Swanky G

Just wanted to say thank you for the BEST QUILT ever . This deployment in the Middle East has been a challenging one and not expected. Coming home and receiving the most thoughtful present and card made me feel so loved and supported. It genuinely lifted my spirits back up to know that my job matters and there are people who care xox.

Thank you for the card and giving me a bit of background. This quilt will be travelling around with me for the rest of my career. It’s perfect! You son must be very proud of what you do and how you support us. You quilt was the high light of my tour as we faced a lot of up and downs over in the Middle East. Every time I see this beautiful quilt it will remind me that it was all worth it. Thank you.

I wish you the very best in all you do and I hope you know how much we appreciate all of what you all do for us. It makes our service all worthwhile. Take care and stay blessed

Much love and regards

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Good Morning Janice L,

I hope this email finds you well, I do apologise for the delay in which I got a response to your letter you wrote in the bag so here goes.

I’ve had a read over your letter and that quite a interesting life you have lived. Mine is a mere drop in the ocean of life tales everyone lives. How is your husband and how’s his wood shop projects going?Retired in 2025 a mile stone is reaching retirement age and being able to move out of the rush of working.

A fair trade of life story’s mine so far has been a interesting tale that is ever growing with plenty life has to offer, I was born and raised in Melbourne to a middle class family, mum was working as tailor and then a stay at home mum.

My father was in the Army as a Combat Engineer then moved to being a train car shunter for the train lines (now retired to look after my mum)I’ve got three sisters 2 older one younger, the only boy in the family I am so joining the Army was hard for my mum to cope with at first yet she is proud of the journey I’m on. I joined as Infantry yet I did try to be a Engineer like my father yet Army took too long.

I’m Infantry now and doing well being 36 joined in 2024. It has its moments of things getting rough, but I persevered and marched out of Kapooka and Singleton. I now reside in Townsville at the Lavarack Barracks. I have been working hard since. I am in deployment in Malaysia and it has not been without its troubles; being bitten by random bugs that cause wounds on the legs and adventures to historic sites like Hellfire Pass.

It has been my first time out of the country and I’m sure it won’t be my last haha. Being 36 I’m not married and don’t have any kids so I’m just charting my own course. Life will show the way eventually so I’ll take it easy and sail through these waters and create many amazing memories. I will also say apologies again for the delay. Thank you so much for the laundry bag definitely love dogs once I have my own place I’ll adopt my next fur missile and he/she will be my adventure companion.

I’ll end this here with I do appreciate your laundry bag and the letter I do call home every time I get a chance to, please be safe and have a healthy and happy rest of the year full of great adventures in your running group or wherever the winds of adventure catch your sails may they carry you to the grandest dreams.

Kind Regards and best wishes

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Morning Bel P,

Just wanting to say that I have gotten me Laundry bag and I love it so much.

Can’t wait to show it off on the boat.

Also I do work with your daughter and she is such a great Storbie and has helped me out so much.

Kind Regards,

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I have received the PACKAGE! And I have opened it up and it looks AMAZING. Thank you soooooooo much for this amazing and definitely soul braking mission on a quilt you made.

I have already gotten all my friends telling me they want it, so I gotta keep it safe otherwise all me friends gonna steal it HA .

Also the story behind the Homer is I love the Simpsons and it’s a long running gag at my work and for me as a good moral joke; as I draw Homer everywhere. And was a funny part of the big trip, and wanted to connect it with the C-17 aircraft we work on.

But it is such a beautiful piece and I appreciate it sooooooo much more than can be said on this little yap. I will be taking care of it for da rest of me life .

Also love Tasmania have some family down there, love coming over every now and then for some peace and quiet. I hope you have a lovely rest of your week. Thank you thank you thank youuuuuuuuuu for alll your time you’ve put into this quilt for me again. It means the world

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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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