Happy Wednesday Friends!

There are, as always, some beautiful sentiments in the following gratitude letters.

Grab a cuppa, sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

We still have a few AHQ 2026 calendars left. If you are interested in purchasing one please see ordering details at the end of the blog.

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Dear Robyn P,

Thank you so much for my beautiful Aussie Hero Quilt- I love it so much, and you couldn’t have designed it more perfectly- it’s absolutely me 🙂 My 5 year old daughter is especially taken with it, and not surprisingly, has tried to claim it as hers!

It is so special, and I’ve shared pictures of it with my friends and family who all agree that it has been made with so much care and thought- thank you. I appreciate how much time and effort went into it, especially the themes and my requests.

Wow, quilting for 50 years! That tells me that it’s a passion. Thank you for YOUR service in acknowledging our service, and making such beautiful keepsakes to mark our time in the ADF.

I hope you enjoyed a special time in Canberra at the AHQ Thank You dinner. Jan-Maree does such an incredible job, doesn’t she. When I was in the Middle East, one of the stories we did was actually on Aussie Hero Quilts. Those of us on deployment showed our quilts, and the Padre did a lovely interview about it. Then, the journalist interviewed Jan-Maree back in Australia to complete her story. So important to highlight the work of those who also serve in a different way, and support our ADF personnel (Jan-Maree being a veteran herself!).

I have been part of Defence since 2008. I served in the Middle East in 2016, and have stayed mostly in public affairs and communications during my service.

I am Mum to three- 16, 14 and 5. I have lived in Melbourne for most of my life, with a 7 year stint in Canberra. We now live right on the border. We spend our free time at the beach, fishing, boating, mountain bike riding and bush walking, and our little girl and I are ‘pit crew’ for my husband and the boys when they ride the dirtbike.

Thank you again for my beautiful keepsake, Robyn.

Take care, and wishing you good health.

Kind regards,

***

Hi Rachel B!

First off can I just say that this quilt is AMAZING! I have shown it off to everyone onboard the boat and also my family. It is one of my favourite things I own. I am actually using it right now as I type this at sea because the compartment I work in is freezing 24/7. The love and attention to detail is evident! I have a pokemon theme onboard the boat from my PJs to my crocs and now my favourite addition the quilt you made me. I always point out to everyone the pokeballs stitched into the design!

Thank you so much for everything you do and for bringing a bit of happiness and joy into what sometimes can be a less then ideal time away from family and loved ones.

I hope you are well and your Christmas is full of love, laughter and lots of food and family time.

Thank you again!

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Today I finally got to present this beautiful quilt. He was overwhelmed and chuffed all at once when we presented it. To say he is grateful is an understatement. To be able to present a personalised AHQ to him at the Australian Defence College today was just so nice, recognising his service and commitment.

Thank you and the Aussie Hero quilters so much for the work that you continue to do.

Gail Mac, emb by Joan B-

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Dear Jan-Maree,

On behalf of the School of Infantry, I wish to formally convey our sincere appreciation for your generous donation. Your contribution has provided significant assistance and made a meaningful difference to his family during a challenging period.

Acts of generosity such as yours remind us that compassion and care are at the heart of supporting those who serve and their loved ones. Your support exemplifies the values of community, respect, and resilience that underpin the Defence ethos. By extending this

assistance, you have not only alleviated immediate challenges but also reinforced the enduring bond between Defence and the local community.

Please accept this letter as a formal acknowledgment of your generosity and the positive impact it has made. We value our ongoing relationship with you and look forward to further opportunities for collaboration.

Thank you once again for your support.

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Good Afternoon Jacqui D,

Just a quick email to send my gratitude for the gorgeous quilt I had waiting me as I arrived home from a few days away.

It is so beautiful! Ive already placed it in our guest room on the bed, so all the guests we have that come and visit us can admire it. You are so clever to be able to create something like that! My mum is similar in her skills with making quilt’s, Im looking forward to showing her because when I showed her my husbands she wanted to take it to her quilting group to “show off” and I know she will most definitely want to do the same with the one you have created.

Sunflowers just have a certain knack for brightening up a room dont you think?

That’s kind of your husband to take you to all the necessary shops to get the right materials you might need. Please tell him I appreciate it as well (especially as he ends up with leftovers for dinner hahaha).

Im glad you had an inspiring trip to Canberra, the work you guys do is always appreciated.

Happy Sewing and thanks again!

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Dear Kathy W,

I am thrilled to let you know that your gift of a quilt and laundry bag arrived safe and sound to my deployed location. They take pride of place in my formerly, rather bland, room. The quilt is providing much needed warmth from icy cold air conditioners and the L.B enables a single trip to the communal laundry in style! Not more loss of socks from an overflowing basket!

I am absolutely blown away by the thoughtfulness and care that you have shown me through this gesture. All the little details tell so much of the story that I have experienced so far – finding beauty in the barren places brings me a lot of joy.

Thanks so much.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a very happy 2026.

Warm regards,

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Dear Jenny N,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful laundry bag and your truly thoughtful letter. Receiving them meant more to me than I can put into words. The care and effort you put into your work shines through so clearly, and I want you to know that your kindness and hard work never go unnoticed.

I absolutely adore the stickers on the letter, makes them even more special. That sentimental touch really warmed my heart and made your gift feel all the more personal and meaningful.

Thank you as well for sharing a bit about yourself and your family. It was so lovely to read, and I hope you all are doing wonderfully. Please know how grateful I am for your generosity, your time, and the love you put into creating something so special.

With sincere appreciation,

***

One their way home from deployment recently, HMAS Canberra invited some of the players from the GWS Giants to join the crew. Whilst on board the team members were kind enough to hand out the latest batch of laundry bags.

***Dear Jan-Maree Ball, Bel Payne, and many others,

I returned from yet another interview, to the post pack for my quilt, as well as a wonderful card with lots of best wishes, and the Aussie Hero Quilts calendar.Bel did a fantastic job collating so many interesting and relevant photos, and information. I love all of it, and was highly impressed by the inclusion of Jan-Maree’s ANZAC biscuit recipe.I don’t recognise all the names on the card, but appreciate kind thoughts, and thoughtfulness of collecting all those thoughts.I immediately texted to my sister-in-law that I was part of a really caring organisation.

Thank you and well done. God bless

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Cheers Catherine D

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in. Wednesdays would be so totally boring without them!

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

AHQ 2025 Calendars for Sale

For the very low cost of only $20 you can purchase a 2026 AHQ calendar.

If you would like to place an order, please email Bel Payne via AH**********@******************om.au with your mailing details. I will acknowledge the email and include the bank details for payment.

Orders will only be taken by email. Do not leave a message under this blog or on the FB post.