Dear Jo H,

Thank you very much for the wonderful quilt I received. It is MAGIC!

Ha yes how very appropriate that you with Mob on country when you got the request, it truly was meant to be. It really is a great part of the world the Mid-North Coast or as I’m constantly reminded now by some the “Barrington Coast”….

I would like to thank you for your efforts and it is really commendable that in retirement you dedicate your time to sewing and producing quilts for our soldiers overseas on operations. What you have done with the quilt is amazing, the colours and pictures were exactly what I was after so thank you very much. Please pass my gratitude to your friends that supplied the African Fabric and those that added to the quilt. And yes the Biripi Shark is very special to me, so I am truly appreciative of the efforts to have it included onto the quilt.

I am a Melbourne Storm tragic…. Please don’t hold that against me lol. Has been a tough year for the Storm (respectively speaking…), I’m not sure they’re up for the challenge of beating Penrith, hopefully South Sydney can bounce back from last year. Yes, as a Knights fan it can certainly be a roller coaster! Some of my very good friends follow the Knights and I am constantly reminded that it can be a tough ride but it could worse… You could be a Tigers fan….

Thank you again for the quilt Jo, I will enjoy it keeping me warm.

Regards,

Dear Jo H,

Thank you very much for your kind letter that accompanied the lovely quilt which was presented to me and for your considerable part in producing the quilt.  I was completely overwhelmed by the whole thing!  The skilful hands and caring hearts that put such effort into compiling these quilts is quite magnificent.

I joined the Women’s Royal Australian Corps (WRAAC) in 1955. Military service certainly had its highs and lows! Many of the highs related to successfully representing the WRAAC in Army and Interservice Athletics, Tennis, Softball, Netball and Hockey.  A few others were more academic in nature including a course-topping thesis while an Officer Cadet at the WRAAC school when I took on the establishment and expounded the cause of ‘Field Training for Women Soldiers’ in complete defiance of current Defence and Corps policy.  It only took them 30 years to see things my way!  And later, while serving in the NZ Army (NZWRAC) on the personal staff of the Chief of Army General Staff at Defence Headquarters, Wellington in 1972 I wrote a staff paper recommending the introduction of women into the Field Force to take up the slack when it was clear that the labour Govt was about to win the upcoming election and abolish National Military Service leaving the Army with only a handful of volunteers.  I was agreeably surprised that the suggestion was adopted immediately and not unduly surprised when the Army was swamped with young women lining up from all over New Zealand wanting to join.  As for the few lows they are best forgotten!

Anyway, thank you once again for your considerable contribution to my quilt and please also pass on my sincere thanks and admiration to the other contributors for their skilful hands and caring hearts.

Yours sincerely and with kind regards

 ….

Dear Wendy V,

Thank you so much for my handmade laundry bag! I was so excited when it arrived, and it made me feel really special.

I enjoyed learning about you in your letter and thought it was really lovely to include.

I grew up in QLD and joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2020, seeking a rewarding career that would challenge me. My main role is an admin specialist but we also learn additional skills such as firefighting and scuba diving.

My parents live on the Sunshine Coast in QLD, and I enjoy visiting them throughout the year. We all recently met up in Cairns where I competed in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon event, representing the ADF triathlon Team. It was a really fun weekend and even more special to have my parents there cheering me on.

I currently live in Bondi, and enjoy riding my bike along the beach in my spare time. I love living in Sydney and the fast paced lifestyle, but I’m hoping to move to Darwin, NT soon to chase the warmer weather.

Thank you again for creating the best laundry bag for me! It does make me smile when I use it knowing how much time and care you put into making it for me.

I hope you have a happy and healthy rest of your year.

Regards,

….

Dear Jan-Maree B,

Today we presented a veteran with his centenarian plaque to mark both his 100 years and his service to the ADF during our centenary. He was aware this was coming, and had a great time.

What he didn’t know was he was receiving a quilt. The look on his and his wife’s face was amazing. They were so happy, and appreciative to receive it. It was actually quite emotional for me as well.

Apparently it will sit over his bed to warm him.

Made by Jenny P, quilted by Alison C and embroidery by Keryn M.