Grati-Tuesday and start to think Christmas

Written by AHQ

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15 October 2013

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G’day all.

A couple of reminders first.

The next sewing day at my home is on this Friday.

If you are coming can you please let me know so that I know how much to bake and how many projects to have ready for you to work on.

If you can’t make the 18th then

the next day at Penrith will be on Sunday the 3rd of November.

Same deal applies for both days. BYO sewing machine and lunch. Morning tea and materials provided.

Now a few people I know have started to terrorist the rest of us by reminding us that there are only ten Saturdays to go to Christmas.

Good grief! Like I have time to worry about Christmas with all that has to happen between now and then -the dinner, the raffle and so much more that you don’t even know about!

BUT what that has made me remember is that it is time to start thinking about sneaking a little Christmas cheer into your boxes. Maybe a Christmas decoration or two or some tinsel. Remember, they cannot buy Aussie decorations in the Middle East as far as I know, and that includes the ship, and these guys and girls are going to be away over the festive season.

Personally I will be looking for some tinsel to send for starters. So light, not expensive to buy and nothing is more cheery at Christmas time that tinsel!

Last year I asked several of the troops to send me pictures of Christmas over there for a special Christmas Eve post for the Aussie Hero Friends. This is one of the great pics I received and having now received a hug from one of these fellows, it is one of my favourite pics.

If you want to check out the whole post have a look here – I just did and it made my day all over again. Big thanks to the handsome heroes who provided the pics.

😀

Okay, time for a few thank you messages!

Good Afternoon Julie,

Thank you so much for the laundry bag which I’ve received in the mail today.

I will be home just before Christmas and my birthday so I’m really looking forward to that already once my job here has been successfully completed here in country.

I can’t thank you enough for thinking of me whilst I am over here and I feel very honoured to have received your gift today.

Please take care.

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Good day, just a quick email to thank you for the quilt !! It was a great surprise to receive it and just in time as its starting to get cool at night, it is well made and a credit to the talented people that are making them. It is something I will treasure, I am here until December its is very mundane work here at the moment and were all looking forward to getting home o our families for Christmas. Again thank you very much

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Dear Peggy,

I just received a huge parcel from you and it was very humbling to open. I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful quilt you have made me as I will keep it for ever. I also want to thank you for the wonderful letter you wrote me as it reminded me of home and my family so much.

I will be returning from my third and final tour in Afghanistan as we are deconstructing and packing up to get all the guys and girls home as soon as we can by Christmas hopefully. We all miss our families a great deal and it’s hard to explain to those back home how difficult it can become.

I also want to thank you for the chocolates which I have already eaten and the lip balm which I used out on site today as the heat is unbearable at around 47+ most days.

Thank you so much Peggy for what you have done for me as I will always appreciate it.

Yours Sincerely

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How about a picture of a happy Heroine modelling a gorgeous quilt by Angela.

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Hi Jan,

My AWESOME quilt arrived yesterday, and I couldn’t be more happy. Thank-you so much for all the effort you guys put into it – when I get home it will be my 2 year old’s security blanket so he can drag it down in front of the TV at night just as I did when I was little. You guys will always have a special place in all our hearts for all the support that you have provided over the last Afghanistan Rotations. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe new year.

Kindest Regards,

Funny story about that one. This fellow requested a quilt that says “Keep Calm and Chive ON.

This is the background to the design in the recipient’s words …

The American public wanted to support their Soldiers on Operations a few years ago. So they started a Web site called “www.thechive.com“. This web site has funny pictures, stories, video’s and of course girls in swim suits and the like. So when ever it gets tough when away from their families they could use the power of their new found Motto ” KEEP CALM AND CHIVE ON” or “KCCO”. So now every country over here goes by that motto.

Simple enough you would think……..

Simple enough to fix thankfully!

LOL

Oh and if you decide to go on line and check out the website…be warned, Rita C did after I told her about the quilt and this was the feedback I received…

this is an EVIL website, I spent (wasted) 2 hours the other night looking at it and LAUGHING

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Hi how are you. I am just letting you know how thankful I’m am in receiving your quilt. I think it’s fantastic in what your doing and I know that it brightens everyone’s day up in receiving a package from home, I know it did mine. I hope that this email reaches you and sorry that it took a while to reply as down time over here is pretty rare. Thanks again take care.

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Dear Su,

Today I received the quilt you made for me, I cannot begin to thank you enough for what you have done. The quilt looks amazing! It was so nice of you to go to so much effort and to give up so much of your time. Now not only do I get to enjoy seeing pictures of my two boys, but the quilt will keep me nice and warm as it’s starting to get a little cold at night.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, we don’t get many creature comforts here in Afghanistan.

Receiving something like this from someone you’ve never met who simply wishes to give something to deployed Australian troops is quite remarkable.

I spoke to my wife today and told her about the quilt, she was jealous despite the fact that she gets to see them both every day anyway! I haven’t seen my dogs for six months now, but at least there’s only a couple of months left until I get to go home and play with them.

I will endeavour to send you a photo when I get some time, thank you so much again for your efforts they are most definitely appreciated.

(and by the way…..the two boys are his dogs …….we have to remember that the furry members of the family are important too!)

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Dear Julie-Ann

I would just like to thank you for the laundry bag and treats that I received, it is well appreciated.

I’m glad to say that I will be home for Christmas, and as for the footy, I follow the NRL. I did get to watch the Grand Final, so you can tell your husband that I was happy to see the Roosters beat Manly.

Thanks again for your time and effort.

Kind Regards

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Jeann typed this one out for me (which I really appreciate by the way) and I just had to leave her comments in red for you. Love em.

Dear Mrs C…. (What was he thinking!! I signed as Jeann. Probably a very polite bloke!)

I received your quilt and I must say I was really surprized as I didn’t know I was being sent one. I really love it. It’s absolutely awesome.

I have been able to watch a few football games (not as many as I would like) but it has been good to see some TV from back home.

Seems like your Magpies have a lot of support from your family. I know my Uncle goes for Collingwood as well.

Thank-you so much for the Quilt. It’s come in handy on my bed already and with the temperature dropping for winter already I will get a lot of use out of it.

Yours sincerely,

…..

And the same lovely polite fellow wrote to Julie Ann

Dear Mrs S,

I received the laundry bag you sent for me, it looks great. I was really surprised to get some mail,

I wasn’t expecting it at all. My partner must have got in contact with AHQ.

I really appreciate the time you took to make the bag. It will give me lots of good use

and is much better than the plain one I was using.

Take Care.

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Don’t forget that you can now buy your tickets for the dinner and the raffle.

All the details are here

Hope to see you there.

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

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,