Hi all

Over the last weekend in March, Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags was represented at the Avalon International Air Show for the first time. We were set up in the Defence Community Marquee which was perfect. All the organisations represented in this marquee provide tremendous support to serving and retired servicemen and women and their families.

Our display was set up on the Friday. I had to work for half the day before heading to Avalon so by the time I got there, the set up fairies had completed their mission. I just had to add a couple of items I’d brought to display. Too easy. Thank you Wayne, Bev and Geoff! Legends!

By late afternoon, the stall next to us was reducing their display as they would not be manning it for the weekend. We very quickly grabbed one of their tables (after they left) and expanded our display a little further. We hung a few more quilts along the wall. You can never have enough quilts on display! It was certainly eye catching. Looking around the marquee, the various stalls had their banners, etc but our corner stood out as it was full of colour. One lovely lady stated, “You’ve brought the art gallery!”

On the Friday night we spent time in the company of Lockheed Martin Australia. Due to the unfortunate events of Friday afternoon, the evening was a sombre affair but it was lovely to catch up with Wade, one of the LMA staff members.

Over the course of the weekend we met so many amazing people. Some would stand back and quietly view our display, others would come straight up and openly thank us for what we do. Chatting to them we’d quickly learn they were a recipient of a quilt or laundry bag or both. Once we got talking, they would explain where they were and the year they received it, etc. Some of the people we spoke with had pictures on their phone with their quilt/laundry bag and could remember the name of the person who made their item (even from 10 years ago!). Others we spoke with knew friends or family members who had received a quilt/laundry bag. The stories shared during these conversations were SO special. I heard stories of laundry bags that go everywhere; even on family holidays. And quilts that are kept out on the bed at home. AHQ volunteers, you need to know that these gifts we make are truly valued. The appreciation and thanks was palpable.

I believe 40,000 people attended the show on the Friday and 60,000 on the Saturday. I’m not sure how accurate these figures are but it was VERY busy and VERY loud. The Sunday attendance seemed to be more of the general public than previous days and we had a lot of requests to buy the quilts and laundry bags. Ahh, no, sorry. After we explained what we do, some people thought they may get a loved one to volunteer with us. Plenty of business cards were handed out and recommendations to check out AHQ’s website and blog.

I’ve never been to the Avalon Airshow before so this weekend was quite an experience. It was wonderful to spend the weekend in the company of Wayne, Bev, Geoff and Greg too. Generally the only time we would usually see each other is the Thank You weekend, so this was an opportunity to get to know each other better. Wayne educated me on what aircraft were flying outside just by the sound of them… Bev and Geoff lived in the same neck of the woods as I did in another lifetime … mess food is pretty amazing, there’s certainly plenty of it … guarding a stuffed toy dog is stressful … 

I’m not a coffee drinker but I’ve learned that some people will go past one coffee van to queue for ages at another if the coffee is no good. 

Thanks J-M for the opportunity to represent AHQ and for being able to talk directly with so many recipients and their families.

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Thank Melissa!  What a great write up! 

Till next time… keep spreading the word and happy stitching! 

Jan-Maree  xx