Grati-Tuesday 18th March 2025

Written by AHQ

18 March 2025

Grati

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Happy Tuesday Friends!

Another awesome lot of gratitude coming your way from very thankful recipients.

Grab a cuppa or cool drink, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

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Hi Ellen N,
I have received the quilt you made for me. I absolutely love it. 
I loved reading about your family that have served in the military and thank them for their service. I have travelled alot as a kid and have done a lot of 4WD around Australia. Been up to Cape York as well. Also been up to Arnhem Land and through the Simpson Desert. 
I have been in the Navy for 3 years now and have done one deployment soon to be two. Been loving it so far. But can be hard being away from family for so long.
Thankyou again for making me this amazing wolf quilt.

 

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 Hello Jan-Maree and the wonderful people at Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags!),


We have returned from the Invictus Games in Canada with new experiences, lessons learned and accomplishments. We are now readjusting to the harsh reality of returning to work, school and a post-Invictus Games life but savouring the wonderful memories we have from being able to participate in this unique adventure.
My wife and I would like to thank you all again for the beautiful laundry bags you and your team have made for us and the other competitors. It was a frequent topic of discussion spotting other Australian's wandering the streets of Vancouver in their team puffer jackets with a beautifully crafted laundry bag over their shoulder, in search of the local laundromat!
Personally, the bags have been especially useful for me and have now formally replaced the laundry baskets at home. The bags are much easier for me as a wheelchair user to fill and cradle laundry on my lap and navigate the environment to get where I need to go without spilling laundry everywhere and bumping into things excessively! 
We are especially lucky to have both my wife and my bags, to cater for our entire household laundry needs, so thank you so much for both!
I also want to thank you again for the beautiful quilts you and your team lovingly crafted for my family and I after my injury. They are frequently used as a source of comfort and warmth in our home, and receive many comments and praise from visitors that want to try and take them!
Thank you again for you and your team's wonderful work!
Kind regards,

***

Hi Clarissa L!

 

I’m not going to lie – your new bag has really made me feel guilty about not using my original 2016 Laundry Bag as much! That bag had travelled multiple countries, postings and hospital stays with me. However I think with this new chapter of my life that I am now experiencing, a new laundry bag will help me for my next adventures!

 

I cannot stress how much the Invictus Games has helped me. It allowed me to feel like I was part of a team and able to play sport again. The lead up to the Games was the most focused and determined I have been for a very long time and then, the Games itself, just saw me suddenly find a smile from deep within that I hadn’t smiled for a very long time!

 

I will be at the Dinner again this year and hopefully we can catch up. I love that our paths have continued to cross after all this time. Please know that you have made a significant impact on my life and I am so thankful for you and the rest of the AHQ pers.

 

Thanks,

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Good evening Marianne R,


I had the great pleasure of opening your parcel this afternoon, and I absolutely love it. The colours and the design are fantastic and to be honest, far more than I expected.

 

The reason behind the designs is really two fold. Firstly, I have two oversized boys, my eldest is 21 (6”9) and my youngest 18 (6”11). Both competitive basketball players. One is currently in the US (where I just got back from) and the other is about to go. My youngest and I are both Houston Rockets fans, so the design is perfect.

 

 

Secondly, I am also from the UK originally and served 15 years in the British Army before transferring to the ADF in 2011. I have been a passionate rugby fan since I was 8 (now 45) and have followed Harlequins since then. I was fortunate enough to play for the British Army before my knee decided to give out and after multiple surgeries I decided to take up the whistle. 

 

 

A bit more about myself. I have been married for almost 25 years and we are the very proud parents of two boys. We are a very sport orientated family and love watching Basketball, NRL and the Swans. We have had postings in Darwin, Perth, Melbourne and currently Sydney which we all love. Across my service, I have now accumulated almost 30 years in the British Army and the ADF combined and can honestly say I am still loving it. I have one semester left to complete my Masters in Business and will finish this in June this year (Hooray).

 

 

This has been my third item from Aussie Hero Quilts (with my recently received wash bag), which came at very good time, as my laundry bag from 2012 is now on its last legs. I think that I can without hesitation say, your support is exceptional and really does bring a smile to the faces of all members that receive such fantastic works of art (the Tim Tams go a long way too).  

 

 

It was great to get to know a little bit about you and your family, including the Garage Girls. So please accept my sincere gratitude for taking the time to make my personalised Quilt, the nice gesture of the Tim Tams and the time to send a letter. 

 

 

Warmest regards,
***
Dear Jan-Maree,

I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible laundary bag you made for me. It’s clear that a lot of time, effort, and care went into every stitch, and I truly appreciate it.
I also wanted to say how much I appreciated your letter. It was lovely to hear a little about your life and the passion behind Aussie Hero Quilts. Your generosity and dedication to supporting those who serve is deeply moving, and I feel very blessed to have received such a thoughtful gift from you.
Thank you again for your kindness and for making such a meaningful difference.
Warm regards,
 *** 

 

Dear Pennie T,

 Just a short note to thank you for the fantastic laundry bag. The design and detailed work is amazing, and manages to capture the unique organisation I am honoured to lead.

It will certainly get lots of use as I travel around the area of responsibility; from Perth to Cairns and everywhere in between.

Please know your work, and the work of your fellow quilters, is greatly appreciated by the men and women of the Australian Army - it means alot!

Thank you, and all the best

***


Good afternoon Bridget R,

 

 

I hope this email finds you well.

 

 

Apologies for the delay in reaching out. I have just returned from overseas after an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable Invictus Games experience in Vancouver, Canada. I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the beautiful laundry bag you made, which was gifted to me by the Aussie Hero Quilts team before I departed for the Games last month.

 

 

It was evident how much thought and effort went into creating it and please know it was both cherished and put to good use! My time at the Games was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and these memories are something I hope to treasure for many years to come.

 

 

After the Games, I was fortunate to travel to Banff and Lake Louise with my parents and husband before he and I continued on to New York City and San Francisco. Returning to Melbourne’s 35-degree heat after four weeks in the Canadian and U.S. winter has been quite the adjustment!

 

 

Thank you again for this special memento and for the wonderful work you do in supporting the men and women of the ADF through Aussie Hero Quilts. Your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated.

 

 

Take care,

 

***
 Hi Anne Hnr

 Thank you so much for the laundry bag for the Invictus Games.  It is a beautiful bag but I didn’t appreciate how valuable it was until it came time to drop off my laundry at the laundry service.  It was so easy for the bag to be found amongst all the nondescript bags that were there!

 

The Games went well.  All the Australian competitors put in their best efforts.  Some came away with medals; others with the satisfaction of knowing they did their best against strong competition.  Moreover, I was so pleased with the way the competitors supported each other and came together as a team.  This is probably the most important part of the Invictus Games experience for most competitors – finding that connection with other veterans who are dealing with their own injuries, illnesses and other challenges.

 

I am wrapping up my duties as with Team Australia for Invictus Game 2025 and am about to take a holiday.  My wife and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary by going to Tasmania for a week’s holiday.  We spent two weeks there on our honeymoon.  We will spend a few days in Hobart, then down to Bruny Island and then on to Huon Valley before heading home. 

 

Thank you again for your thoughtful gift

 

Kind regards


***

Dear Toni D,

 

Thank you so much for the laundry bag you sent up to me while I’ve been deployed in the Middle East.

 

I apologise for taking so long to write. Things have been hectic here. Please forgive me for my tardiness.

 

I was blown away by your generosity in giving your time, skill and creativity to put that bag together. It has been a real morale boost. My roommates have all commented on it and I’m sure I will be the envy of every other officer when taking my washing to the laundry in that bag in every place my service takes me after this deployment. I was at sea for a South-West Pacific deployment in HMAS Choules last year and was quite jealous of other officers who had laundry bags from previous deployments. (None compared to this one though!)

 

I loved how you incorporated the Australiana theme along with images of the fleet and the Navy crest embroidery. Including the Bahrain flag was a special touch. Thank you too for including the Roulettes. I’ve done some work with the Roulettes before and so this was a welcome reminder of some pretty impressive people I met from that team.

 

I’m a Navy Public Affairs Officer. I am married and have four children aged 22, 19, 17 and 10 along with our much-loved (and spoilt) moodle, Oscar. 

My wife is the marketing, communications and community relations manager for a school in Nowra on the NSW South Coast, not far from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross near Nowra.

 

Daugher (22) is severely disabled, so I remain grateful for the NDIS support that makes it possible for me to serve in the Navy.

 

Son (19) has joined the Navy and started at ADFA this year, having graduated from his initial officer training at the Naval College at HMAS Creswell last year before undertaking the first phase of his Maritime Warfare Officer training at HMAS Watson in Sydney. 

 

Daugher (17) is studying at high school and looking toward a future in film and television production.

 

Son (10) is in Primary School and enjoys maths, music and jumping on his trampoline.

 

Oscar just loves being wherever we are, especially when it means a trip to the beach.

 

Like you, we enjoy camping. We have a Windsor Rapid 501 Low Line pop-top expander caravan. It suits us perfectly and we love getting away as often as we can. My wife did a lap of Australia with her family as a young girl and we would love to be able to do that at some stage.

 

Thanks again for all your creative handiwork with the laundry bag. It has brightened up my time over here and I will cherish it as a souvenir of this deployment and a reminder of your support when I am next at sea for future deployments.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

***


Hi Gayle W! 

 

Firstly, I am very sorry to be so late in responding to your lovely letter. We had some significant issues with the mail system over Dec/Jan and when your quilt arrived I was stuck head first into my work. 

 

Thank you for the obvious love, time and effort you have poured into this quilt. It is a treasure and exactly like I pictured! It was so lovely to read about your garden and what you are growing, I am very much missing my garden at home. Just prior to deploying I had installed some new veggie garden beds thinking I would be growing tomatoes all summer long, but I ended up missing the whole summer growing season sadly! 

 

I adore all types of ducks, there isn't any story here really except I think they are the funniest little things and I get overly excited whenever I see baby ducks. I was a Canberra/South Coast NSW girl and grew up with chickens everywhere we moved, but I could never convince my mum to get ducks. Runner ducks are just my dream animal for pest and stress free garden companions! A nice plus is they walk funnily, but that is just a bonus. 

 

Your amazing quilt has brightened up my afternoon and evenings, making my room so much more homely and bringing back some much needed green into my space. The desert being all brown and dusty has gotten monotonous, so it truly was such a bright spark at just the right time! I am leading into the end of my time out here, and your letter has made me so excited to come home and get to experience all the little joys you mentioned of time with family and at home in your element. 

 

I hope you have stayed safe and well throughout Cyclone Alfred, and I wish you all the best. 

 

Kind Regards,

***
Hi Jan-Maree,

 

I just wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for providing me with my first AHQ item, a laundry bag for the Invictus Games in Vancouver. 
It was an absolute surprise, thank you.
Kind regards,

 

***
Hi Jan-Maree (and Monica McK),

 

I would like to express my gratitude for my beautiful laundry bag I received at the pre-departure camp in Sydney before we left for Invictus Games. The bag is beautiful (I think it was the best bag! the fabric is gorgeous).
Please pass on my sincere thanks, and as a current serving veteran who has served overseas (Afghanistan in 2010 with Mentoring Task Force - 1 with 6RAR for 9 months) the work that you do to support us is generous and very much appreciated by us all.
Kind wishes,

 

***

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!
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Bobbie S and the Mystery BOMers. Emb Joan Quilted by Philomena and added to by Bridget
LB Ruth S

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Good afternoon Hilary P,

I am writing to say thank you so much for the lovely quilt, laundry bag and letter!

I am amazed at the detail and thought you have put into the quilt for me and I can not thank you enough!It is something I will treasure for a long time and I will definitely be using the laundry bag on my next deployed or trip!

I really appreciate the time you took to write the letter noting how busy you and all the other volunteers are at AHQ. I hope the annual dinner in Canberra goes well. You all deserve to be celebrated for the work you do.

Even though I am back from my deployment now, I am honoured to know there are people like you out there, looking out for those of us away from family, friends and loved ones.

Thank you again!

Kindest regards,

❤❤❤

Dear Sue-Ellen S,

I’m in the Royal Australian Navy posted to HMAS Stuart and currently on deployment in Asia. I am 25 years old and I grew up in Melbourne and joined the RAN when I was 19 and I now live in WA. The other week I received the laundry bag you made along with your letter. Thank you so much for the laundry bag as its well made and the perfect size. I greatly appreciate the work you do with AHQ and at your local RSL (pulling beers is essential work 😊) and all others who volunteer. As a sailor a sturdy Dhobey bag (laundry bag) is very nice to have and makes life onboard just that bit much easier as the standard issue bags tend to rip and tear. I enjoyed reading your letter and hearing about your family military history. I hope your retirement is going well and I wish your sons the best.

Kindest regards,

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Hi Ruth S,

I just received my laundry bag that you compiled. It is fantastic, so thank you for your time and effort to make us veterans feel people care.

Again, thank you and take care

regards

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Good evening Sue-Ellen S,

I'm an electronics technician in the Royal Australian Navy, proud father to a rabbit named Pickles, and as of the other day, the even prouder owner of a majestic blue laundry bag covered in platypuses (or platypies... whatever the plural may be).

I must admit, I wasn't originally looking for a new laundry bag we get issued a fresh one with every new posting, after all. But the moment I saw that vibrant blue pattern and the platypuses (which happen to be my mother’s absolute Favorite animal and that felt a little bit like the universe was trying to tell me something), I knew I had to grab it right away.

Fun fact about the humble platypus: because they lay eggs and produce milk. So, if you're ever stuck in the bush craving an omelette a platypus is your one-stop shop!

On a more personal note, I hope your sons are doing well. Reading your letter, your pride in them and the work they do shines through so clearly. They are incredibly lucky to have such a supportive mother in their corner.

I personally have not attended one of the charity dinners for the Doby bag cause, however a ex of mine has in 2024, and apparently it was quite the shindig.

Thank you so much for everything you do with your local RSL. The support you provide isn't just vital to active service members, it's a massive morale booster for the entire veteran community.

Please make sure to enjoy a well-deserved pint (or several) after reading this. You’ve more than earned it.

Warm regards,

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Dear Hilary T,

I would like to express my gratitude to you for the beautiful laundry bag that you so skilfully created. I was gifted it after completing a deployment. The design and craftsmanship is impressive.

I am a member of the Australian Army Reserves and work as a signaller. I too originate from overseas- I am Scottish, and like you moved to Australia for better weather and more of an outdoor lifestyle for our children to grow up in. It has been such a beautiful country to live in and we appreciate all of the opportunities that we have been given. I joined the Reserves as a way of serving and giving something back. (I am a Sonographer in my full time job. )

I will be proud to use the laundry bag whenever I am away with Army and once again, thank you so much.

Kindest regards,

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Good Afternoon Clarissa L,

I'm a Soldier at the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and was very fortunate to receive a laundry bag sewn by yourself from Aussie Hero Quilts. I know I and everyone who received one was very grateful for your token of appreciation and to know that we're being thought of. It will be very handy as I'm about to step off on a six week task within Australia. Again thank you very much for giving up your valuable time to help ADF Personnel across the globe, it's greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,

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Dear Janice L,

Thank you so very much for my new laundry bag (its going to get a good work out) it is very hot on our current deployment.

I just wanted to tell you a little about myself. I’ve been serving in the Royal Australian Navy for 15 years now. During that time I have had the opportunity to work across Submarines, Supply ships and ANZAC Class frigates. (currently on HMAS Stuart) It’s been a challenging career, but one that I am proud of and enjoy. I have also been lucky to have some incredible experiences.

I have a wife and Family of 4 children (not including our dog JJ) back home in Rockingham, WA. We come from Brisbane but I had to move to WA when I started working on Submarines. One of the hardest parts of the job is spending time away from them.

The Navy is a big part of my life but my family keeps me grounded.

I hope this gives you a little insight into who I am. Thank you to Aussie Hero quilts and your self for the quilt.

Kind regards,

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Hello Hilary T,

I'm the recipient of the Bag you made and had sent to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. I'm writing to thankyou for the lovely bag / letter and to express my gratitude for your support through Aussie Hero Quilts.

To let you know abit about the recipient of your bag, I was born and raised in Newcastle so I'm well aware of the beautiful country that is the Nelson bay area and try to take the opportunity to show it to my Cairns born partner whenever I get the chance, it just goes to show how close we probably were at one point even though we know live on the other side of the country.

I joined the Army in 2020 and commissioned through the Royal Military College - Duntroon in Canberra and was allocated to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps as a Cavalry Officer. Since then I have been posted to the School of Armour in Puckapunyal as an instructor then to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Townsville.

I thankyou again for your work and hopefully you know how much these bags were appreciated by everyone at the Regiment.

Kind regards,

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Hi Janice B,

I just wanted to email you and let you know I received my quilt and laundry bag.

I love them. I have read the Eragon series and recognised the Dragon right away. Not gonna lie, I squealed a little.
Also I did test the laundry bag and kept laughing.

My uncle was a submariner as well so we have a lot in common it seems! I loved reading your letter and about all your
adventures.

Thank you once again for my quilt and Laundry bad. I love them and appreciate all the effort you and your team put into
them.

Kind regards

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Hi Lois S,

Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt. I received it in perfect condition, and I wanted to let you know that it was exactly what I was after. The design, colours and space theme are fantastic, and I can see the incredible amount of work and care that went into creating it. The embroidered patches, ISS, Saturn V and Space Shuttle are particularly impressive, and knowing that they took around 250,000 stitches makes me appreciate it even more.

I also really enjoyed reading about your time in Florida and your visits to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Watching the launch of Discovery STS-120 must have been an amazing experience.

Like you, I have been to the Kennedy Space Center multiple times, and I honestly think it is one of the best places to visit in Florida. Every visit has been memorable, and as someone with an interest in space exploration, I never get tired of seeing the exhibits, launch facilities and history on display.

Thank you again for your generosity, time and effort in making the quilt. It will be something I treasure for many years to come. I truly appreciate the support you and the Aussie Hero Quilts community provide to veterans.

Kind regards,

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The following letter was published on the 26th August so it may be familiar. We have now received permission to publish the photo so I thought it was very tied in with the letter, it deserved a second publishing:

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 four 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.

I've attached a photo taken overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba at South Camp shortly after I received your parcel. I thought you might enjoy seeing where your laundry bag ended up.

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,



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Cheers Catherine D

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in. Wednesdays would be so totally boring without them!

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