Grati-Tuesday 27 January

Written by AHQ

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27 January 2015

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You know that feeling you have at the back of your mind that you are supposed to have done something but you are not quite sure what it is???? Well today has been a really busy day with the request list and lots of other things happening. There has been something bothering me all day -what am I forgetting!!! I just realised that I had not edited the blog for tonight! Thank goodness tonight is the Gratitude Post and you guys have written most of it for me!

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Pennie,

I thought that I would send a short note, on the arrival of the wonderful quilt that you sent recently.

The quilt makes a dramatic improvement to my simple bed space, so thank you for making my world that little bit more like home. I have shown the quilt to several of my counterparts, who were similarly impressed. They wait with eager anticipation for theirs to arrive.

I feel for your arduous conditions (Pennie was quilting it in 40+C temperatures to get it done on time). The quilt is certainly very warm, given our below zero temperatures, thank you. I could only imagine the labour in creating it in an Australian Summer. You can rest knowing that your ‘sweat shop’ has delivered a product that will be cherished for a long time, well beyond this deployment. Understanding the effort in creating the quilt, from observing my mother’s efforts years ago, the detail is really fantastic.

So in closing, I wish to thank you again for the quilt, it is an exceptional piece of craftsmanship that will remain an heirloom within my family.

I am grateful for your dedication to support Australian soldiers, and your personal note. It strengthens my persistence during difficult days when I return to my bed space and have a little reminder of home.

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Karin,

I would like to thank you and the members of your working bee for the quilt that I received today. The generosity of your group has truly impressed me and to receive a gift such as the quilt is very humbling in deed.

As a commander, I am always amazed at the generosity of others and especially those who support us from home. There are many people back home that do not even realise that we are still here in Afghanistan so to know that people like you and your group are still supporting us through your gifts and through sacrificing your own time, it is truly heartwarming.

On behalf of all of our serving members, please keep up the good work and know that even if you do not receive a response from those that you send gifts to, believe me when I say that they are always appreciated and cherished.

Warmest regards to you and the Port Lincoln Quilters Guild

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Hi Jan-Maree,

Thanks for the quilt and laundry bag, they are just gorgeous and I love them! The laundry bag is so beautiful that I almost don’t want to use it and it is currently hanging on my wall as a piece of art work.

They arrived much earlier than now and I was hoping to write a thank you letter. The rate I am going it will never happen so this email is to say thanks and it arrived. I will still try and write a letter to the lovely ladies who made them.

Hope your January is going well!

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Dear Irene,

I recently received my quilt. And what a quilt!

You have outdone yourself with the personalisation. I was overjoyed to get something that really was related to my job and I’m pretty sure the guys in my office were all jealous. It is now laying on my bed and when I return to Australia, it will be sitting on my couch for those cold nights in Canberra. It’ll also provide a nice talking point for when people come round!

If there is anyway I can thank you or help out please let me know. You have improved my morale no end, just receiving post is a big plus.

Thank you for both the quilt and laundry bag. They will make my tour very memorable.

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Good Afternoon Jan-Maree,

I am writing to thank yourself, Lynn from Engadine and Kym from Bundaberg from the bottom of my heart for the lovely quilt that I received yesterday.

To be quite honest I was a bit taken back to receive one being that I hadn’t submitted an order for one, regardless it was a very pleasant surprise.

The deployment for me is coming to a close with only 3 weeks left in Kandahar and 4 weeks until I’m back on Australian soil, and it can’t come quick enough.

I’d like to thank you from all of the soldiers situated on Camp Baker, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan for all of your selfless hard work that goes into both the quilts and laundry bags.

It is always a warming feeling to look upon another servicemen’s face when they receive these gifts.

Once again thank you very much for the quilt, it is a welcome addition considering the temperature here has dropped dramatically.

Have a great year Jan-Maree.

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G’day Karin,

I am writing to thank you and your Quilter’s Guild for your magnificent gift.

It is extremely well made quilt with a wonderful pattern and colours. If it keeps me as warm at night half as much as it has warmed my heart to receive it them I will be warm indeed. We are currently going through a cold snap here at Kabul at present with the overnight temperatures dipping to as low as -16C so your gift is going into action straight away.

In another way, receiving it and knowing that you and your hard working quilter’s put it together for me, has done more for my morale than you can ever imagine.

Please pass on my eternal thanks and gratitude for this wonderful and heartwarming gift. Rest assured it will be returning to Australia with me and will be displayed with great pride.

Kind regards,

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Dear Robyn,

I have just received your laundry bag with the fantastic Australian theme! Thank you for very generous gift, it is greatly appreciated.

The work you undertake on behalf of the troops here within the Middle East is exceptionally well received and also provides each person with a memory of their deployment when they return home. It is interesting to read your father was in the services. It seems that once a family has been touched by one of their own undertaking service that it is something future family members remember proudly. Your efforts make a difference to the people within the Middle East and the breadth of your work is evident each time I enter the laundry and see the huge amount of bags which you and yours produce!

One again thank you very much and I hope 2015 provides you with all you require and then some.

Best wishes,

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Good morning Robyn,

Firstly let me introduce myself. I’m a member of the RAAF currently deployed to the UAE supporting ADF operations in the Middle East region.

Today, I received a parcel from you, thinking that it was from my wife, that is, until I read on the box Aussie Hero Quilt. When I read this I became like a child at Christmas, full of excitement and wanting to open it right away which I did and was amazed at what was inside. Your quilt looks absolutely stunning and I can’t overstate the amount of work you have put into this. I can’t thank you enough for this quilt and will look after it for many years. It’s great to know that we have so much support back home and everything we get from home no matter what it is, even from people we don’t know or have not met, means so much.

Please find attached a photo of your quilt which I will be using to keep warm during the cold nights here (I just wish I knew how cold it actually gets here before I left. I would have brought more winter clothes with me).

Thank you again and thank you to all the sewing heroes back home.

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Dear Evelyn,

I sincerely apologise for not sending you this email sooner to thank you for the lovely laundry bag that you presented to me during the Aussie Heroes Quilt visit to RAAF Base Richmond in September last year. Unfortunately I was on leave overseas when the visit took place and during my leave the laundry bag was put in a ‘safe place’ until my return. Well, that ‘safe place’ was eventually found and I opened it upon my return from the Christmas break. I am delighted with it, particularly the aircraft on the pattern and also my initials. I will definitely take the one you made for me overseas when I deploy next.

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Dear Tamsin and Jan,

I have just received your quilt with the fantastic Australian theme! Thank you for very generous gift, it is greatly appreciated.

The work you both undertake on behalf of the troops here within the Middle East is exceptionally well received and also provides each person with a memory of their deployment when they return home. The quilts are all top quality and are displayed in people’s rooms. They not only add warmth but also much needed colour to what are, at times, drab and dreary rooms (although a drab room is better than no room at all!!) Rest assured that your efforts make a difference to the service personnel here within the Middle East.

One again thank you very much and I hope 2015 provides you with all you desire and then some.

Best wishes,

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Good morning Tamsin,

I am the lucky recipient of a beautiful patchwork quilt made with love from your workshop team.

Firstly, I thank you and all those involved with the Aussie Hero Quilt program for your time and efforts contributing to the cause. From the pictures you sent along with your letter it appears that a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction is had in the process of creating.

When I opened up the package I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride for being here and to have this experience of such an exchange. The vibrancy of the colours and the Australian theme within the quilt did increase the homesick feeling I have been trying to avoid, but the smile hasn’t left my face, waking up to the quilt’s coziness every morning since it’s arrival. I am posted at Darwin base prior to heading over here and the winter weather is a large temperature drop first thing in the morning.

I have been here for one month of my six month tour, but have started slipping into a very methodical routine. So much so, a member of the catering staff doesn’t even ask me for my breakfast order anymore, he just serves it up knowing exactly what I want. There isn’t a diverse number of activities to occupy your time with outside of core working hours apart from going to the gym, watching movies or reading. I can tell you that your additional care package items have been enjoyed at a slow pace over a cup of tea, a chapter of a book or a chat with friends. The small pleasures in life keep us all going.

I hope that you enjoyed a safe Christmas period with family and friends and fellow quilters.

I trust that your continued involvement with Aussie Hero Quilts will provide recipients of your patchwork with a mmemento of significance. Taking my quilt home with me will always be a reminder of the experience I am having and the contribution I am making.

Thank you once again.

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Fran,

I got the most beautiful package in the mail yesterday. Thank you so much for putting such time, effort and skill into this lovely quilt & laundry bag. It really is great that it comes from you, whom I know and I realise how personalised you’ve made it.

As you probably know, we have hospital white covers here and the splash of colour that it adds has transformed my living space.

Thank you, and God bless you for this gift.

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For one made by Nancy

Good Afternoon Jan-Maree,

Thank you so much for the beautiful Aussie Hero Quilt. I absolutely love it! I have attached a photo below of myself with my quilt standing on the Flag Deck of HMAS Success while we were in port in Muscat, Oman this week.

The work you are doing is such a wonderful thing and we are truly lucky to have your support.

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Hi Pennie,

Would just like to say a very big thank you to the time and effort you put in to my quilt and laundry bag, I cant imagine the hours you put into making them and all the exploring you did to try and get a photo of a leopard. I absolutely love the print and patterns I am in love with it! I cannot thank you enough. I finally received it after being out for 7 weeks but it was most definitely worth the wait… Our mail drop got stopped and lost around the 4 week mark so we missed out on all of our xmas mail… so it may have been delayed. I enjoyed the photo of your cat Linux on my quilt haha, she is a big cat!

Over the past 2 months out here I have seen a lot that I never thought I would get the chance especially at such a young age of 20 years old, I am enjoying my time out here even though it gets a bit repetitive and boring at times and all I do some days is think about what I would be doing if I were back in Sydney but overall im having a ball seeing the different places in the world and serving my country. My role on my ship is a Chef, so I cook with a team of 7 boys and 1 other girl every day, its a challenging job but it keeps me busy and makes the days go fast and its enjoyable especially to have such a close team. In my spare time I play my guitar, read, go to the gym, spend time with mates and watch lots of movies etc etc.

Anyways, I hope you had a fabulous xmas and nye and work is treating you well! Thank you once again I appreciate it so much..

Thanks,

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Hi Gale and Jenny,

I have just received my quilt and would like to say a very big THANK YOU. I love it!

I am currently working as the navigators yeoman onboard Success. My main role consists of maintaining and updating all the ships electronic and paper charts. And as you could imagine we have quite a large number of them, so it keeps me very busy.

I hope you both have had a wonderful Christmas and New years and that 2015 brings good health and happiness.

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Robyn,

I would just like to thank you so much for my Manly quilt that I received this week. I only have about a fortnight before I return home and get back to normal everyday life.

I have just spoken to a few of our replacements about the work of your marvellous organisation. They are blown away by the different designs and craftsmen ship of the laundry bags and quilts. I will treasure what you have created for many years.

You efforts in providing this quilt in such a short time is appreciated.

Please pass on my regards to Jan Maree for her efforts.

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Hello Jan-Maree

I have received the Quilt it is AMAZING! It is honestly better than I could of imagined it to be, you girls do such an amazing job. A couple of the other guys got theirs too and we are all ecstatic about our quilts.

I have a message from the lady that made it for me, and I will be sending her a thank you letter as well, it has made my trip for me, I am also pleased to say that I only just found out that I am having a baby boy about 1 month after I get home, so there is no doubt that he will be growing up using the Quilt as his blanket all around the house and throughout his youth and maybe, if he is as much of a fan of them as I am, he can pass it on to his child one day.

Again from the bottom of my heart thank you so much for everybody’s hard work at Aussie Hero Quilts. Your time and effort on these beautiful gifts do not go unnoticed.

Thankyou

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

Jan-Maree xx

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,

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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,