Grati-Tuesday 30 May 2017

Written by AHQ

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30 May 2017

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2 Comments

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Lots of wonderful messages for you to enjoy tonight.

Just a little business, I am heading to Canberra tomorrow morning. I have a huge schedule and very little free time which I why I have not mentioned it before now. I look forward to catching up with those of you who can make it to the Morning Tea at JOC.

Now grab a cuppa and enjoy the read…

Hi Janis

I received your quilt and I am speechless. It is beyond words and I was so grateful when I opened the box and pulled it out.

The work you put into it is amazing and all the details was so very thoughtful. You have a brilliant skill. I haven’t named the camel I will get the kids to do that for me 🙂

I miss them so much but I know they are proud of me and I am proud of them for coping while I am away. My Hubby is taking great care of the kids while I am away and he is doing an amazing job.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. The quilt will be treasured forever.

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Dear Joan and Robin,

Firstly my apologies……

I received your laundry bag a few weeks ago and only now found time to say a big thank-you to you both for making and sending the laundry bag.

The laundry bag has a special part of my deployment, the quality and attention to detail is absolutely fantastic so a big thank-you once again. Everyone within the group has really loved what they have received. Please keep up the great work because everyone that receives this, does really appreciate it from the bottom of their hearts.

Regards

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G’day Joan and Robin

Thank you very much for the laundry bag.

Receiving mail whilst deployed is always a novelty, but it was particularly exciting to receive my laundry bag. I’m thoroughly enjoying my deployment, but the parcel brightened my day nonetheless.

Thanks for making it and sending it so quickly. I am deployed with a small group of people and mine arrived first out of everybody, so it was exciting for all of us.

I’m a big fan of the Star Wars movies and the bag you made certainly fit the bill!

Please know how much we appreciate the time, generosity and goodwill which you put into making each of these laundry bags and quilts. It is a wonderful thing to do.

Thank you once again.

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Hi Sue,

I just wanted to send you a short note to say that I have received the quilt and laundry bag (and other goodies) a few days ago that you made for me. Thankyou for doing such a fantastic job. It looks great and has already taken pride of place on top of my bed.

I am the first to receive a Quilt for our rotation, so there has been a lot of interest (and positive comments) from the other guys over here. Many of them are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of their own quilts in the coming months.

I have also sent Jan-Maree an email saying thankyou. The work that you guys are doing goes a long way towards making our accommodation feel more like home and is something we will be able to look back on in years to come as a reminder of our deployment.

Thanks again,

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Maddy,

Thank you so much for making and sending this excellent quilt.

Receiving mail is always exciting, but receiving a bulky soft parcel is especially so.

I must say I appreciated how quickly it arrived – I expected to return home before it arrived.

Please be assured it looks excellent on my bed and will get plenty of use before I return to Australia.

Your connection with Vietnam and the Air Force is particularly relevant.

My unit, Number 2 Squadron, flew to Vietnam and marked 50 years since commencement of flying operations there only a day before your quilt arrived here in the Middle East.

Making these quilts is a fantastic and generous thing to do.

Please know how much we all appreciate them.

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Hi Joan,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift of the quilt sent over to me here in The Sinai, Egypt. It means a lot to me and my fellow service men and women, the great job you and your team do at Aussie Hero Quilts. Every package we receive overseas is a little home comfort and a small reminder that our work over here does not go unnoticed by our fellow Australian back home. It certainly brings a little bit of “something from Australia” into our lives.

Though our service in The Sinai is not widely recognised by the Australian public (or the world for that fact), nevertheless, our contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) is one that holds the Australian Defence Force in high regard with the other contributing nations. We have the privilege of serving with men and women from countries form all over the globe, including Colombia; Uruguay; The USA; The UK; Fiji; Norway; Canada; and New Zealand. Each nation provides a number of service men and women that fulfil a role which is crucial to the operation of the MFO and the upholding of the Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel.

My position here in the MFO is one that has me working quite long hours, which can be stressful at times. It’s comforting to know that when I get back to my room, and see the quilt you made me draped over my bed, that it must all count for something. I have shown it to my partner back in Australia, and she also wanted to thank you for your thoughtfulness and the time and effort you have put in to make such a wonderful gift. She’s also looking forward to using it back in the Sydney winter!

Once again, thank you Joan for the quilt and I hope you continue your work to support my fellow soldiers, sailors and airmen in the various theatres around the world.

Kind Regards

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Good Afternoon Bev and Russell,

I am just dropping you this email to express my appreciation and gratitude for the quilt and laundry bag I received on the 23 May.

You guys did a fantastic job and it is perfect I will certainly cherish it for years to come.

A little bit about myself I joined the Army in 1999 and stayed there for 10 years until 2009 when I swapped over to the Airforce where I took up a career on the C-17 Aircraft flying cargo all over the world which keeps me very busy. During my time in the Military I have deployed numerous times to different parts of the world which has certainly made me realise how lucky we are to live in our beautiful country.

I married my wife in 2005 and we have three beautiful children who I can’t wait to see when I finish over here (only six weeks to go ) not that I am counting. My deployments are equally hard on them as well but they understand and I am lucky for that.

When I am home I enjoy spending time with my family at the beach when it is warm, attending my kids dance and sports events and watching the mighty Broncos play, I also enjoy golf although I haven’t played for sometime.

But once again thank you for the effort and time you put in to give me the beautiful quilt and laundry bag. I will certainly look after it and will tell everyone here about the the fantastic people who give their time up to provide this service. I hope you both enjoy your travels and wish you all the best.

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Hi Louise,

A quick email to thank you for the quilt that you made me. My room now looks much nicer 🙂 It is a keepsake I will have forever. We all appreciate the work that you do. It really is a nice feeling knowing that people like yourself are taking time out of their own lives to show their support through such a great organisation. Once again thank you for the quilt, but more

importantly the support. Thanks,

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My husband has just returned from deployment with this absolutely beautiful quilt from Aussie Hero Quilts ie. Gail Mac. We would both like to Thank all the incredibly hard working ladies who collaborate to create these amazing quilts. The boys are so grateful to receive them, we are all humbled and thankful for the support you extend to them. A heartfelt thank you

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Dear Melissa,

Thank you so much for the effort you and your mother in law went to in making my quilt and laundry bag.

You guys did an amazing job and its more than I expected, it is simply amazing. If it makes your mother in law feel better I am only a few months off turning 30 and I still hate using computers I am very much a hands on kind of person.

I am in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and my job is a PTI (Physical Training Instructor), your son might know about them, but basically my job in the RAAF is to take all members of the RAAF for their physical fitness test and take them for Physical Training.

I know a little bit about the army, but I know a lot more about the RAAF so if he does ever look at joining in a few years time feel free for him to get in contact with me with any questions.I am definitely all over the fitness standards and the type of training we do and what he could do if he needs to work on his fitness, although I am sure with the amount of basketball he has played fitness will not be an issue.

Once again thank you to you and your mother in law, you have both done an amazing job with your quilting. As you can imagine it is very hot over here and when I sleep I have to have something over me with the air conditioner on full, so the quilt is perfect for me.

You’re amazing.

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Hello Jan-Maree,

I would just like to say thankyou on behalf of the soldiers in my PL over here, to everyone who puts in the fantasic work and effort for Aussie Hero Quilts.

Everyone who has recieved one, is very thankful and appreciative. They are all absolutely wonderful, and definitely put a smile on your face when opening up your box 🙂

Thankyou for your support and all the smiles you create!

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Good afternoon Anne,

I would just like to thank you for the beautiful quilt you made for myself! I absolutely love it! I have also read the letter you have written for me, thank you very much!

I had a good deployment, it was 7 months long, but felt as though it went fairly quick. I have been in the Defence force for 8 years now, serving in the RAAF as an Airfield Defence Guard. I do love soccer and i also love to play but its a bit difficult being being able to play in defence as we constantly go away on exercises so you end up missing a lot of the season. Maybe one day I’ll be able to play again. Back to work i go next week.

I just though id write you a quick email and thank you for the quilt and the letter.

Thank you very much!

Kind regards,

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Dear Bridget,

Thank you so very much for the fantastic quilt that you created, it arrived in the mail yesterday.

The time and effort that you have put into this creation is clearly evident, I can only marvel at your creative ability.

Best Wishes, Kindest Regards and Many Thanks,

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Hi Bridget,

I hope this email finds you and your family well.

I returned home from work this evening to find the beautiful laundry bag you made for me in the mail. I cannot express in words how beautiful it is and I will admit I have shed some happy tears today. I can’t stop looking at it, its more than I could ever have imagined! I wouldn’t have the first clue about where to start making something like that, its amazing! Sewing names on my socks is about the best I can do hehehehe

I soon join a new ship and your beautiful laundry bag will be coming with me so I no longer lose my laundry!! Thank you so much.

Once again thank you so much. My laundry bag is something i will treasure for a long time.

Kind regards,

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Hi Debbie,

I have recently received a handmade Aussie Heroes Quilt, so generously created by you.

I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating this for me, as well as taking the time to send a letter about yourself. I have attached photos of my quilt so you can see that your work has arrived safely.

Kind Regards,

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Hi Thelma,

I received a parcel in the mail today from my husband which contained a very carefully wrapped package with a note attached which read:

Please take care of Sally and Veronica. I’ll be home soon with you all.

When I opened the package I found an absolutely gorgeous handmade quilt and a beautiful letter from it’s creator. Thank you. It is a truly beautiful thing that you ladies do and it means more than you can imagine to not only the troops but their families as well.

The time and thought and love you have put into XXXXX’s quilt shows in every beautiful square and every careful stitch and I cannot thank you enough. He is due home in a very short time and although he didn’t want to let it go even temporarily, he wanted me to be able to clean his quilt and have it ready for his return.

As an Army child and now an Army wife, it means the world to know that wonderful people like yourself are thinking of my husband and his colleagues and put so much time in to these quilts which mean so much to them and us.

So thank you again, Thelma. Sally and Veronica are now members of the Ford family and will be with us wherever the future may take us.

Kind Regards

…..

Dear Robyn,

Thank you very much for the lovely laundry bag. I actually didn’t need one, remembering during my last minutes of packing that one might come in handy, so threw one in my bag that I had been using on trips away at work.

Your laundry bag was passed on to me, unused my a young sergeant named Luke, who I worked with a few years ago, who just happened to be working on the same base that I ended up at. He wanted one, but when he saw the design on it he gave it to me. You have probably made more than one, but this one is made from a tea towel from the Heartbreak Hotel in the Northern Territory. It is not that I have been there, it was because it is covered in examples of Bush Tucker that made him pass it to me. In the defence force I teach survival skills to Army, Navy and Airforce pilots and crews, and Luke used to be posted to the same unit in Townsville.

It almost looks too good to be the holder of my smelly dirty clothes, so I haven’t used it yet. I will take it home with me, with your permission, and put it to use as it was intended, as a laundry bag in my camper van. It will be a constant reminder to me of the generosity of some of the people back home.

That certainly has been an amazing highlight of this deployment for me. The messages, thoughts, gifts, quilts, laundry bags, and random boxes of goodies that turn up, simply addressed to An Australian Servicemen or Woman. It has really been quite touching and humbling. So I sincerely thank you for the work you have done to bring a smile to my face, and for the lovely card that came with it. I would also like to thank you for any others that you have sent as well. I know that not all others who receive them have the time or resources all of the time to send back their thanks. There are a lot of ADF members in this part of the world who are doing things a lot harder than me.

You are absolute right in the your card, that Australia is a wonderful country – truly the best place to live. It has been my pleasure to serve it for the last 39 years, and I appreciate the thanks I receive from people like you, total strangers, who go out of their way to support us. The same as someone shaking my hand on Anzac Day after a march. It is very much appreciated. So I thank you, for your support. Please accept that too from the other soldiers, sailors and airmen and woman, who don’t have the chance to pass on the thanks directly. Please pass on our thanks to the rest of the Maitland Patchwork Quilters, and anyone else you know who is supporting us. It means a lot to us.

I will keep your card, and will look you up when I eventually pass through Maitland again, to thank you personally. In the meantime, if you are ever heading to XXXXX in the next year or two, please let me know and I’ll return your generosity.

Warmest Regards, and Thanks,

…..

Hi Bridget

Thank you ever so much for the lovely quilt and bag. Your handy work is second to none!

I really appreciate you taking the time to make a Hawks quilt for me. As I write I am hustling my things together about to head away again, this time to Rockhampton for a big exercise for a few months after only a few weeks at home, so I fully understand how much your time is worth not having much time at home myself!

My mother is still nursing but I will surely put forward your hobby and inspiration as a potential time filler for years in the near future.

I hope you got to see the picture of the quilt hanging on our wall (Jan put it on Facebook).

Thanks again. Heartfelt, truly.

……

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,