Grati-Tuesday 27 November 18

Written by AHQ

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27 November 2018

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G’day all.

As you read this I am getting ready to go to the Launch of the After the War Art Exhibition – an exhibition of Veteran’s art. At least two of our recipients have art on display so I am very much looking forward to going.

Enjoy these messages. There are some lovely ones! Great to see some from the patrol boats on APEC Assist who received their bags recently.
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Hi Bev,

I am currently deployed with the Australian army. I was lucky enough to receive the spectacular quilt you generously made for me. I would liked to have written you a letter back however I’ve chosen email as it’s much faster than our current mail system (sometimes 6-8 weeks from here to AUS). I would first like to sincerely thank you for the time and effort you put in to making it. I sure am the envy of all the other boys I’m with as they have all said it’s the best one so far.

I’ll give you a little insight into my life. I’m 29 years old and posted to Gallipoli barracks Brisbane. I’m engaged to my beautiful fiancé and we are looking at getting married next year. I am an infantryman and have served 5 years so far. I am qualified as an assault pioneer which is an infantryman specialised in explosives, breaching and IED warfare. My unit is the 6 battalion the royal Australian regiment Delta Company. We have a long standing history most notably the battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam war as well as Victoria Cross recipient Cpl Dan Keighran. We have also had the sadness of 5 members pay the ultimate price for their service in Afghanistan through the years, the highest number for any regular infantry battalion.

My general hobbies include 4×4, camping (i also have a camper trailer) AFL, NRL and generally anything that keeps me active. I’m also extremely lucky that my partner shares most of my passions which makes it easier however she’s doesn’t appreciate how much some of them cost.

Again I’d really like to thank you for everything you have done. It is a wonderful moral boost and something I will keep for the rest of my life, hopefully I can pass it down to my children one day.

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Dear Beverly,

I am writing to you on behalf of our small workshop here.The workshop consists of our mechanic, our armourer and me as the electrician. We are a small team working closely together to provide technical support to the rest of the task group and at times other coalition members.

We are currently nearing the end of our deployment but receiving the laundry bags you made provided a real highlight and has helped lift our spirits for our final weeks. Rest assured that the laundry bags are far more impressive than our previous laundry bags and will continue to see use wherever it is that our careers (and lives) take us.

The design looks fantastic and encompasses all the key elements of our time here. The task group and unit badges look great and represent both the units that we have come from and who we are working with. The Australian flag helps remind us of home and also why we are here, and the RAEME flag shows our pride in our corps and the work we do in providing technical maintenance and support to the task group.

We are very thankful for the effort you and your team have put in to making not only our laundry bags but all bags and quilts you have made for deployed Australian Defence members. People like you truly help make Australia the great country that it is, and make our service feel worthwhile and appreciated.

Many thanks again

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Dear Clarissa,

I would like to thank you for the laundry bag that you and others sent over to Apec 2018. Our cabin is quite colourful now.

Currently I am posted to HMAS Glenelg a patrol vessel based out of Darwin. I grew up down in The Yarra Valley Victoria, but now live up in Darwin with my partner and small dog. When we are home we try and get to the beaches and national parks camping, bushwalking and fishing.

Wishing you and all your family and new coming family a safe and happy Christmas and holidays. Bringing great ambitions for the new year.

Thank-you again.

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Dear Ms Ball and friends,

My sincere thanks for the lovely laundry bag that you provided me for APEC.

IT WAS beautifully crafted and easy to recognise .

I am indeed grateful.

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Hi Susan Pr,

Thank you ever so much for the washing bag you made, I have used it repeatedly during my time here in PNG helping with APEC Assist. This is the second time I have received a gift from Aussie hero quilts and I am always taken back by the effort you all take to show your appreciation of what we do.

Once again thank you so much for the bag, I intend to use it at home to assist in the washing with the baby when I get back so rest assured it will be put to good use.

Regards

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Good afternoon Susan,

I am the Able Seaman electronics technician on board the Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Larrakia. We are currently on deployment in Papua New Guinea as maritime security for the 2018 APEC summit held in Port Moresby. We have been away from our home Port of Darwin for roughly 3 and half months so it has been a very long extended trip away from friends and family.

As we are coming up to the end of this deployment the crew of HMAS Larrakia’s energy and moral levels can become quite low at times. Much to our surprise yesterday all of ships company was called up to the bridge of the ship to receive the laundry bags designed and made by lovely, caring people from all around Australia.

I left school in year 10 to pursue a career in the ADF. My enlistment date was the 30 March 2015 where I started Recruit school (Initial training) down in HMAS Cerberus VIC. From there I posted up to Darwin where I have been living for the Past 2 years and where I joined my first ship being HMAS Larrakia. I have been extremely fortunate to have many overseas deployments including the Philipines, India, Vanuatu, PNG, Singapore and Malaysia. I am most fortunate to have great ship mates that have been with me through all the highs and lows of each trip including our current deployment in PNG, where we received a bunch of wonderful laundry bags.

When I saw your laundry bag with the Rising sun emblem in the centre and the range of colours on one side I knew I had to win the race to grab it.

Receiving this gift that you have personally taken the time to design and create means a lot to both the crew and especially myself. I would like to thank your friends and family and most of all yourself Susan for taking the time out your agenda to create this wonderful laundry bag in which raised both my spirit and all ships company of HMAS Larrakia.

I wish you the best in your future endeavours and hope you continue your excellent work.

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Good morning Dianne.

I’m married with two children and I currently hold the position of a Leading Seaman Marine Technician posted to HMAS Larrakia, which is a Armidale class patrol boat, currently deployed in PNG providing maritime security for the 2018 APEC summit in Port Moresby.

Yesterday I received a beautiful handmade laundry bag which you Dot and Heather made.

It could not of come at a better time as moral was quite low due to our lengthy deployment and communication restrictions that were placed on the boat.

We have been away from our home port since July.

Thank you very much for your laundry bag, the reason I chose your bag was because the colours reminded me of my children’s drawings which I have in my rack space on board. It means a great deal to me knowing that we are not forgotten whilst on deployment sometimes it is quite challenging being away from my wife and two children for long periods of time.

Then out of the blue we get this delivered to our patrol boat whilst on deployment in another country, I wish you could of seen the expression on the crew’s face as we got to choose our laundry bag’s . Moral was at the HIGHEST it has been for quite some time we thank you and everybody from ‘Aussie Hero’s Quilts’ who take the time to produce laundry bags of an outstanding quality for our defence force personnel.

Thanking you very much

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Good Evening Sandy,

Just thought I would sent you a quick note to say that I picked up my quilt this morning from the post office. It looks great and the craftmanship is amazing! Thank you so much to you and your team for putting this time together and I know I am not alone in saying that your efforts are greatly appreciated by those currently overseas.

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Good afternoon Janis,

I am just emailing you to say thank you for the amazing laundry bag that I received from you today.

I joined the navy 8 years ago as a Cook and loving every day of it

So far I have been posted to the Perth and now I am currently posted in Darwin it is so much hotter up this way.

Well you should have or just about to meet you next grandchild I hope all is going well for you

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Good afternoon Bridget,

I am on board HMAS Larrakia, an Armidale class Patrol boat based out of Darwin, Currently deployed overseas in PNG providing maritime security for the 2018 APEC Summit in port Moresby,

There is many special times in my career to recall in times when morale is low on board, receiving this selfless gift is now one of my favourites, so I thank you and all the wonderful people working to sew these together.

As it stands we have been away from our home port for a few months now and the morale on board is slimming, as a chef on-board there is only so many cakes and warm Anzac biscuits coming out of the oven that can retain morale for the ships company,

Monday came around like any other day, weather was warm and I had just cleaned up after lunch, I think there was steak on the menu, then there was a pipe over main broadcast, everyone to muster on the bridge,

I was a little slow walking up to bridge as I just had to just finish the last touches on the galley cleaning jobs, As I got closer to the bridge and heard a distance racket I had not heard for some time, it was just simple joy, I arrived on the bridge and there were people with the amazing laundry bags going through them, trading and looking at these amazing gifts we had received, As soon as I saw those ducks on that amazing handmade laundry bag I knew that was the one for me, and I can honestly tell you now it was great timing, my laundry bag has seen better days, 8yrs of service out of my old laundry bag I thank you so much for this gift and I look forward to using this one for another 8yrs of overseas deployments border protection

Thank you so much for sharing the story of Jan-Maree Ball, It is amazing to find out the founder of Aussie Quilts was in the services as well,

It means so much to hear your family’s story as well, to have raised two great sounding children not too many years older than me,

Also I thank you for your service in nursing, they do not get enough credit for the work that they do, Patrol boats are only manned by 24-30 people at a time, 24-30 of the best personnel the NAVY can muster, small boat sailors are a unique bunch, sometimes we get missed when there are much larger ships involved in these operations, It was an amazing feeling when I got your letter and bag, it was just great to sit there and appreciate that someone out there created this gift out of the goodness of their own hospitality, It means more than you will ever know, I will always remember this sentiment in many years to come.

Sincerely the biggest thanks

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Hi Bridget,

I’m one of the sailors who has received the laundry bag you made. I’m not sure how many you have put together with Aussie Hero Quilts but mine has a big red bird on it as the feature, the rest of it is light blue. It has come in very handy and I just wanted to take the time to say thank you but I’m definitely not a hero… its not everyday you receive a token of appreciation from a stranger that you can keep with you. So thankyou very much.

I would have replied sooner but have been flat out on the ship, we received our laundry bags around the time we left Australia. I’m currently a trainee Marine Systems Technician, we’re just known as stokers. My job on-board HMAS Adelaide is a watch-keeper, I do shift work checking all the engine spaces in the ship, it takes around 2.5 hours to check the whole thing and that’s if you don’t find something that needs fixing, then off-watch I’m studying or helping the other stokers with the maintenance during the day. I’m leaving the ship next year to do a Cert III course in refrigeration then I’ll be coming back to sail again but from then on I’ll be looking after fridges and learning how to maintain the chiller plant and air conditioning on-board.

I joined the Royal Australian Navy just before I turned 32 in August 2016. Just like your son I hated school and left at around 16. I tried to join the Army but things were different back then and finished an apprenticeship in plumbing instead. I stayed on as a plumber for 16 years. I still really wanted to serve still. Haven’t looked back really, and have learned to love the job. It hasn’t been easy but its not really that hard either. I thought I knew everything about myself until now haha. If you were to ask me if its worth serving in the ADF, I’ll tell you it definitely is. Having read your letter I was touched, it was a good to know that even though we may not be right in the thick of it people still support what we do, because regardless of where we go in the world we do spend a lot of time away from home.

I have made true friends in this short time I never would have met or even crossed paths with, its the uniform which makes us all the same and a team, some become family. I honestly appreciate receiving your laundry bag and promise to look after it. Hope this e-mail reaches you soon, thanks again and enjoy retirement. I think just about everyone on HMAS Adelaide felt the same way as I do about Aussie Hero Quilts, please pass on the thanks from all of them.

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Evening Ruth,

Thank you so much for the wonderful laundry bag,

My design was the Crows and 36ers one, (Apologise for the Crows…LOL, my Wife is a collingwood supporter!!! Can only imagine how difficult it would have been for you!)

Its the little things that make the time being away bearable, the touches of colour and obvious love and care that has been put into the laundry bag is very much appreciated,

I am a part of the Theatre Communications Group, and I am a member of a small team at the main Air Force Base in the Middle East Region.

Thanks again and we all really do appreciate what you and the rest of the team at Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry Bags do for us whilst we are over here!
Regards,
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Hi Jenny,

The quilt arrived and I am super stoked. That is about the best present I have received in a long time, and not because I don’t receive many gifts, but because that is an excellent quilt.

I could not have imagined a better design: the picture of the Bear, the lettering, the foundation club logo and the numerous premierships were spot on. Take me back to when I was a boy and they were actually a team.

And the poppies on the back are awesome. It is sitting on my bed at the moment and while I know I should hang it for prosperity I just love having it on my bed.

Just wanted you to know how stoked I am about all the hard work and thought you put into the quilt to let you know that it is truly appreciated and something that I will treasure for years to come.

PS A lot of the guys over here are super jealous of my quilt and may start requesting you by name to make their quilts in the future : )
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Hi Helen,

I was lucky enough to be issued with your indigenous inspired laundry bag. I am 21 years old from Brisbane and I’m a Combat Systems Operator currently serving on HMAS Canberra. This is my first sea posting at this point in my career.

I joined on May the 7th of this year and am loving what service life has to offer so far. Your laundry bag comes at a good time for me as we are currently about to set sail for my first stint at sea and we will be deploying on a much larger trip in February next year.

I joined the Navy to be a part of something larger than myself and to serve my country with pride. Its people like you that give me the motivation and reassurance that what I’m doing is making a positive impact.

Thank you for your kind donation and thank you for everything you do for this country.

Kind Regards,

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Hello Clarissa!

I am the very proud recipient of one of your laundry bags.

First of all, thank you so very much. I absolutely love it – you have no idea. It is perfect!!

A bit of background – I am a Physical Training Instructor in the Air Force and I also have a part time job at a gym. I absolutely love my job there and the company for its ability to truly change lives and help people of all walks of life, shapes and sizes to become healthier and happier. This gym is like my second home. So to receive this amazing laundry bag was just incredibly special. I have showed my work colleagues at the gym and they love it and are blown away at how cool it is!!! So thank you for your thoughtfulness, your kindness and your amazing talent!!

Thank you also for the Tim tams (how could you possibly know I am a full blown chocolate addict!) but I also wanted to say thank you for taking the time to write me a letter. I read your letter with great interest, especially when I read that you were keen rugby supporters. I am a huge rugby supporter, having played for 20 yrs, and at state level both in and outside of defence. I was the Captain of the ADF team for a while.

I have been in the Air Force just under 17yrs. I was planning to do 4yrs and get out, yet here I am. I have been very lucky to have a wonderful career and met some truly amazing people. This is my 2nd deployment. My first one was in 2008/2009 when I was Air Force Police.

My first deployment was a great experience, but my current deployment by far has been a real highlight of my career. I am the only PTI for the US, UK, Italians, Dutch, NZ and Aussie troops and I have met so many wonderful people from all the coalition forces. The hours I work are very long, but because I love my job so much, it doesn’t feel like work. I feel very lucky to have had such a great deployment and I am genuinely feeling quite sad about heading homein a few weeks. I am based in Canberra and I love it there. Not a fan of winter as I hate the cold weather, but aside from that, Canberra is a great place, though I do miss Sydney.

I have also been very lucky to receive an amazing quilt whilst deployed as well, with all my favourite colours and little pictures of dachshunds and exercise equipment. I feel incredibly spoilt at how amazing both my quilt and laundry bag are, so thank you again.

Thanks again for your kindness – it is truly appreciated.

Take care,

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Hello Leanne 🙂

Many thanks for the amazing quilt and lovely letter I received the other day in the mail. (From a person without an artistic bone in his body, I was very impressed!)

I’ve just written a back to a primary school student from Victoria who sent a card for Remembrance Day, so between that and your package, it’s been lovely to hear from people back home who care for our welfare… rest assured, it is appreciated more than you could imagine and has a real impact on the morale of the guys and girls over here.

Enjoy your time down in Canberra, for what its worth, I loved my four years in the capital! It definitely cops an unfair wrap in my opinion!

I’m excited for my first white Christmas! They say Kabul can get down to – 20 in the most extreme parts of winter… we’ll have to wait and see – fingers crossed it doesn’t get that bad!

Thank you again for your time and effort in writing and making my quilt, I can’t tell you how much it brightened my day.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your family. …..

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. Durning 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,