Grati-Tuesday 7 Feb 17

Written by AHQ

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7 February 2017

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Sometimes, like when we sent quilts to the hospital to brighten the wards and the walls, we send a few quilts off to warm up a space that will be used by our Aussies so that they can remember that we are thinking of them in their down time.

This is one of those occasions. These quilts have gone to a small group of Aussies embedded with members of other coalition forces. This is their small “welfare” room and it was pretty bland and colourless until we sent a few quilts to brighten it up.

This message is the result of those parcels arriving

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Good morning Carol and Beverly,

Thank-you ever so much for the wonderful quilts which you took the time to hand-craft and send through to us recently. I’ve draped them over our chairs to add a homely feel. It’s actually quite nice to sit and feel encased in Aussie support. In fact, I walked into the room the other day and one of my colleagues was sitting in one of the chairs while conducting a video chat with her partner. I also sat in one chair last night to have a flick through a magazine that had been sent through, so they are definitely being utilised and appreciated! I’ve attached a picture but the lighting and difficult angle doesn’t do justice to the beautiful colours and detail, sorry.

It was interesting that you mentioned the recent Australian Open, Carol. I note that many of my coalition colleagues were watching and it was even on tele in the DFAC (dining facility). I guess I was surprised from an overseas perspective regarding how much international interest the Australian Open generates.

Australia Day was cold and rainy but we still had a BBQ off base and enjoyed each other’s company and some good music. The cooks even tried their hand at making lamingtons – not a bad effort indeed!

I am a Nursing Officer in the RAAF and have served for 14.5 years. This is my fourth deployment and I was fortunate to receive a quilt and laundry bag on my last deployment. It’s so nice to be able to see the same joy in people’s faces when they received their personalised quilts and laundry bags from people who genuinely care. My laundry bag definitely stands out from the rest, which makes it much easier to identify when I collect my laundry.

Once again, thank-you both for your enduring support and thoughts.

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G’day Gail Hall,

I would like to say thank you for the quilt that you made for me. I really like the design and it has become useful. Being a surfer and a country boy at heart, the name and design has really touched me.

My deployment has been going really well and cannot wait to get back home to our beautiful country.

Thank you again for your work and thought put into everyone that is in the military and away from home.

Keep up the good work!

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G’day Loraine;

Just thought I’d drop you a line to let you know I received your quilt and to pass on my appreciation, the quilt and laundry bag are smashing.

Anyway Loraine, gotta get back to work but thankyou again for your time and effort. It’s really, really appreciated and a comfort to know people back home really do understand what service to the country means.

Cheers and Thanks

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Dear Pam,

I had the honour of receiving your beautiful quilt the other day. I just wanted to thank you so much for the quilt, lollies and letter you sent me.

I absolutely love all the patches! My dog and I work in the security forces unit for the RAAF. I miss her a lot since I’ve been deployed. I also have a failed MWD (Military Working Dog), she is a German Shepherd, she didn’t make the grade so I brought her off of Defence and now she’s a pet. She is being looked after by my parents. I miss her too.

Having the quilt makes me think of both of them and they are that little bit closer to me.

Again thank you so much for the quilt, love the colours and all the patches.

Thanks again.

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Hello Lyn,

I can’t believe you sent me such a wonderful gift.

It is absolutely beautiful, I will treasure it always.

You have put so much effort into this and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It is cooling down here, I forgot to put the heater on in the car

(I collect the mail at 0330 Mon, Tues Thurs) but the days are still warm 30-35 degrees Celsius.

Your gift has really brightened my day. Can’t wait to get it on my bed and snuggle.

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Hee Hee, Jenny started her email to this fellow with “How the bloody Hell are you!”

Hi Jenny (and Steve)

I am bloody well – very busy, but in good health – how the bloody hell are you?

Thank you very much for the laundry bag that you made me. It is excellent – fit for purpose and filled the ‘Aussie Theme’ very nicely. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into your craft, it is very much appreciated. Receiving my laundry bag was my highlight for the day.

Again, thank you very much for your support and wishes.

Kind regards

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Hi Wendy F,

Firstly I have to say your choice in fabric is outstanding I absolutely loved the flowers on the laundry bag.

I have now been in South Sudan for 3 months with a further 3 months to go. I just came back from ROCL and spent 2 and half weeks with my family, which was fantastic.

I think it is fantastic you have met soldiers you have personally made quilts or laundry bags for that just makes it so much more special. I am not sure who is making my quilt but I liked one on facebook and I got a response of ‘ Hi Jo you think that one is nice wait until you see yours’ so I am super excited and so looking forward to receiving it. You know, they are so special and will remain a life time memento of this deployment and the care and love we have back home.

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G’day Tamsin, Just wanted to say hi and thank you to Angela and yourself for making the fantastic Quilt and Laundry bag I received.

I love it!

It has left a massive smile on my face from when I opened the box.

The timing was perfect as its been getting cold over here the last few weeks, so its been great to have it on the bed keeping toasty warm.

I can’t wait to use them on future deployments as well.

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Hi Bev

I am currently on deployment in the Middle East and have just received a laundry bag.

Thank you very much for taking the time to make the laundry bag. I think you did an excellent job.

Once again thank you very much for your gift, it is kindness like yours that often makes being away from home that little bit easier.

Thank you.

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Dear Cath

I am writing to thank you for the amazing laundry bag and tim tams I received for Australia Day it was very much appreciated and a very nice surprise.

I have been aware of the great work AHQ and laundry bags do over my last few deployments and can tell you it is a good feeling for our deployed personnel to know that there duty is appreciated.

I hope you and your family has a great 2017 and once again thankyou very much

Yours sincerely

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G’day Christine,

I just wanted to thank you for the laundry bag I received recently while deployed here in the Middle East.

It’s the little things which make a big difference, and I appreciate the effort you put into this bag every time I make the trek from our tent lines to the laundry. A large part of my childhood was spent in the NT fostering baby kangaroos and native birds, so the native Australian animals are a warm reminder of home (it also attracts a lot of attention from the American troops!)

We arrived here only a few weeks ago, and have several months to go.

I am an Aircraft Technician.

Thank you again for the time and effort you put into this bag, which adds a little more comfort to our day, not only making washing easier, but reminding us of the support we have from people, like yourself, back home.

Have a great day

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Dear Kaye

I recently received the gorgeous quilt you made for me.

Thank you so much; I absolutely love it! I know a lot of time, effort and skill went into making this quilt.

It was lovely to read your letter and hear about your hometown.

My quilt is excellent! It matches very well with my laundry bag and its arrival is timely as it’s getting a little bit chilly here of a night time. Now I can snuggle up with my new quilt. I also intend to take it with me on the plane (to stay warm) when I head home. It will be hard to keep it away from little Eloise as she will want it as soon as she sees the gorgeous lady beetles.

Thanks again for all of your hard work (and the extra goodies too). I just took photos to send to my family to show them. It’s a privilege to receive such a beautiful quilt.

Kind regards

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Dear Cath,

I trust that you and your family are all well.

Just a quick note to say thank you for sending the laundry bag (with my initials) and other goodies.

I guess words are not enough to express how grateful I am knowing that there are indeed people like yourself and your family who really care about the ADF personnel and what they are doing for Australia.

My family back home wish to extend their sincere gratitude as well. Please extend our thanks to your family and the other two lovely ladies who are helping you in this very noble mission.

Wishing you all the best.

Sincerely,

…..

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,