Good Afternoon Sandy,
My quilt arrived today – thank you so much (and all those who were involved), for lovingly crafting such a beautiful quilt. My daughter is 11 and missing her is definitely the hardest thing about deployment, so having her name on the quilt is very special. The logo (cockerel) is from the English soccer team I have supported all my life – Tottenham Hotspur. My daughter’s middle name is Tottenham! So when I look at the quilt there is a lot of meaning for me.
Please thank Ros, Chris, and Nola for me. And thank you all for your dedication and support.
Regards
Thank you so much for the lovely laundry bag that you made for me. It will be cherished and well used. We are only a small contingent here in XXXXX and anything from home brings joy to all of us and we don’t have many opportunities for interaction with others. You are both doing a wonderful job as do all of those who volunteer with the Aussie Hero Quilts!
I was able to have a quick look on the blog when we were first told about it and it is amazing, the work you all do. I will be giving the laundry bag to my young granddaughter when I am finally home next month so she is able to use and enjoy it for many years to come.
……
I have been holidaying in the North West of Western Australia, specifically in Broome and whilst there met a lady whose daughter was in the Army and was a recipient of an Aussie Hero Quilt. She said her daughter was absolutely blown away with her quilt and now since retired she has started to quilt herself.
Keep up the good work everyone.
…..
Hello Lisa,
I have only recently received your fantastic quilt as I believe there was a mix up with the mail service which saw my parcel complete couple of laps of the MER. That being said, it has arrived safe and sound and I am most impressed with your work!
Whilst it is currently averaging 46-50 degrees Celsius during the day, my room has a very effective (albeit noisy) air conditioner and the quilt certainly won’t go astray! I have also used my new laundry bag twice and I must say it’s doing a stand up job too.
It’s great to read about your students and how proactive they are within the community at such a young age. As you mentioned, if given the opportunity young minds can achieve wonderful things with the right influences.
It’s also great to see that your school has embraced significant events such at ANZAC Day and been afforded the opportunity to have current and ex-serving members of Defence speak to the children about what it means to be an ANZAC.
Veterans are no longer all elderly men and women and I think it’s good that our youth be exposed to the fact that we have a generation of soldiers who have been on operations longer than ever before. This has undoubtedly taken its toll on some and I believe that education early will be the key to long term assistance for our sick, wounded and ill veterans no matter their age.
I have been fortunate enough to deploy to the MER twice in my 13 years service, with my first tour in Afghanistanin 2012 as well as my current deployment to Iraq. I absolutely love my job, and would be more than happy to stay here indefinitely if it weren’t for missing my wife and daughters (7&2). I can assure you that no matter how tough it gets here, it’s much tougher on my wife who is essentially a single mum who has to work, wrangle the children and run the house! I am lucky to have such a strong partner and supportive family to allow me the opportunity to do what I love.
Well that’s probably enough waffling from me; I would like to say a big thank you for the time, effort and skill that you put into my quilt and laundry bag. I would’ve never guessed that it’s your third quilt given the quality of your work! I know all of us who receive quilts from AHQ appreciate them, but more importantly we appreciate the fact that there are good people at home thinking about us here.
I hope for the sake of future serving Defence Force personnel you continue to give up your time to contribute to what is a fantastic organisation as it will certainly be appreciated.
Thanks again and take care,
…..
Dear Gail,
I recently received a lovely laundry bag from you with a racing car pattern and a gorgeous embroidered Miniature Schnauzer on it. Thank you very much for this. It is simply brilliant and brought a huge smile to my face as I opened the package.
Also, thank you for the range of goodies in the package. I could tell that you had put a lot of thought into the selection of Tim Tams, Vegemite and other lollies that we all miss when away from home.
I was also touched to receive your letter. Please do not understate your family links with the military. Your father’s service in World War II, and especially in New Guinea, was a considerable sacrifice that many young men and women have made over the years to preserve the lifestyle that we all enjoy in Australia.
On behalf of all the Australian military in Iraq I would like to thank you, and all of the others involved in the Aussie Hero Quilts organisation, for the fantastic work you do in making the quilts and laundry bags. They are treasured by deployed members as a link with home, and the fact that you incorporate ideas and images that have a personal meaning to the recipient makes them even more special.
Once again, many thanks for the lovely laundry bag and the package of goodies, and enjoy the forthcoming Spring weather and exploring the wonders of Australia.
Kind regards,
…..
Dear Su,
I cannot thank you enough for the fantastic job you did on the “Aussie Hero Quilt” and the laundry bag you made for me. The black and white pattern materiel is great and it will help to hide the dog hair that gets over all my clothes back home. Having one black dog and one white I can’t win either way. But maybe now I have a solution.
Also thank you for the Tim Tams and the chocolate-coated fruit. They are a valued item over here; they made for a very pleasant morning tea and were well received by all of the people I work with. I have never had that flavour before but will have to try it some more when I get home.
So that you know a little bit about me I am in the Army although I am working with both RAAF and RAN personnel. Together we manage the logistic for all the ADF troops operating in the Middle East. My specialty in ammunition and yes I was one of those kids that was fascinated with things all things Army and things that went bang growing up so my parents knew it was inevitable where I would end up. My job is very interesting and I travel around to all the areas our troops are working ensuring they are getting what they need and looking after their ammunition safely.
I was glad to hear your daughter enjoyed her time in Afghanistan. I have been there a few times and I find the landscape very beautiful in a harsh way, bit like the Australian outback. Most of the Afghans I met there were also very nice people too.
I hope this email finds you and your family well. We are all keeping ourselves safe over here and have been trained well to do what is asked of us.
Cheers
……
Clarissa,
Thankyou for the Beautiful Laundry Bag I really appreciate it, as well as the goodies you sent me which won’t help my fitness or waist line but will help with morale. I hope your son has a safe deployment and I have no doubt his deployment will be a lot harder than mine. I’m married with two young daughters who have birthdays while I’m deployed and are 3 and 7 this year – time flies as no doubt you know having now grandchildren to baby sit.
I grew up on a Dairy Farm which is located an hour and half inland from Cairns and have been in the Navy coming up to 23 years, Thank your Father in-law for his service as if it wasn’t for brave men like him we would not be here today.
Again thank you so much for the care package and laundry bag it was very appreciated.
Yours Aye
…..
Dear Steve & Jenny
First of all thankyou so much for making my quilt. It looks amazing! Quite a few people have said its one of the best they have seen. When I put my wish list in for the quilt I never expected anyone to have found any old Bears stuff but you did. The chances of someone selling North Sydney stuff is rare as some asking for a quilt. Don`t worry I wont be going looking for any defects with quilt. I still impressed that you got made.
A little about myself. I`m 32 years old and have been in the Navy for 8 years come October. I grew up in Victoria. I was a Butcher before I joined the Navy. I have a partner, and a son who will turn one year old on the 16th of December. Just in time for when we get home.
I hope you enjoyed you tour on HMAS Darwin – it is one of Newcastle`s sister ships. So what you saw Darwin is exactly like ours. I am in charge of the Engine Room so The main propulsion Gas Turbines and all the associated systems that go along with it.
Once again thank you so much.
…..
Hi Jan-Maree,
I recently received a safari themed blanket from you whilst on deployment on HMAS Newcastle in the Middle East Region.
I’d just like to say a huge thank you to all that were involved in putting it together. It looks absolutely incredible, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I am so grateful.
We are just checking out the sites in XXXX for a few days before we head back out to sea.
Hope you are well, and again, thank you very much for everything you and your team do. It’s brilliant.
…..
Back to work for me, more covering letters to write!
Till next time…. keep spreading the word and happy stitching!
Jan-Maree xx
Lovely.
Great messages – what lovely sentiment