Happy Wednesday Friends!

Don't forget to order your 2027 AHQ calendar.

Please enjoy another wonderful collection of gratitude letters and images.

So, grab a nice warm cuppa or cold drink (depending on where you live!), sit back and relax while you soak up some well-deserved gratitude!

***

Dear Colleen Sm,

Thank you so much for the Broncos laundry bag and your lovely letter. I only found out on Friday, through another member of Ship’s company, that there was a present waiting for me on my bed. Funnily enough, I also drove back from Brisbane to Sydney yesterday, so it seemed particularly fitting to finally sit down while I’m on duty today and write back to you.

I really enjoyed reading about your life and your connection to both Queensland and Defence. I’m originally from Brisbane myself, having grown up in Indooroopilly, and my Father currently resides in Newstead, so Brisbane will always feel like home regardless of where the Navy takes me.

I also had a good laugh reading that your daughter remains a staunch Broncos supporter despite living all the way over in Perth. It goes to show you can take a Queenslander out of Queensland, but you certainly can’t take Queensland or the Broncos out of them! It’s great to know she’s still flying the flag from the other side of the country.

I’ve been posted continuously to seagoing units since July 2014, so laundry bags have been a pretty constant companion throughout my Navy career. Even after all those years, receiving a custom-made one is always a special occasion. Knowing somebody has volunteered their own time and effort to make something specifically for you gives it a meaning that a standard-issue item simply doesn’t have. I’m particularly happy to have the first Broncos bag you’ve made featuring the new logo, and I’m sure it will travel plenty more nautical miles with me yet.

After a busy few years, I’m also very much looking forward to posting off HMAS Supply and onto HMAS Arunta in the new year for the next chapter of my Navy career.

Thank you again, Colleen, for the time and care you put into making my laundry bag, and for everything you and the other Aussie Hero Quilts volunteers continue to do for Defence personnel. For those of us who spend so much of our careers at sea and away from home, these gestures carry far more meaning than you might realise, and they are genuinely appreciated.

I wish you, your husband, your family and, of course, your fur babies all the very best. I hope you have a wonderful time catching up with your daughter and grandchildren when you make it back to Perth.

Warm regards,

***

Dear Anne H,

I cannot thank you enough for the Aussie Hero Quilt. What a lovely surprise it was! It was exactly what I asked for and even better than I had imagined. Your generosity and the care that went into making it mean more to me than I canadequately express.

Tasmania looks like such a beautiful place. You are so lucky to live amongst such pristine scenery and fresh air, although I must admit it is quite a bit chillier than Penang! I have never really taken the time to stop and watchbirds, but I do enjoy listening to them whenever I get the chance to spend some quiet time hiking on my own.

I am a mother of four children, three girls and one boy. My children are 30, 22, 17, and 12 years old. I am also blessed with two grandchildren. This Hero Quilt is something I hope to pass down through the family one day. My only concern isthat they might all end up fighting over who gets it!

I have been serving in the Army for over 20 years, working in logistics. It can be a challenging career at times for many different reasons, both professionally and personally, but it is also incredibly rewarding. I am originally fromSydney and moved to Malaysia from Darwin on a three-year posting. I am now in my third year here and preparing for mymove back to Australia. My next posting will be in Melbourne.

One of the things I enjoy most about Defence life is the opportunity to experience new places. I have always had itchy feet, which probably comes from my childhood. My mum was a single parent, and we moved often as rental costs increased,so I became used to change from an early age. I suppose that has stayed with me, and now I genuinely enjoy the adventurethat comes with moving. Most days, the Army gives me a real sense of purpose, and I am grateful for that.

The Tim Tams were a huge hit with the family, so thank you for those as well. We can buy them here, but somehow they never seem to taste quite the same as they do back home. I am not sure why!

One day I would love to learn how to make quilts myself. I think it would be wonderful to create something special for future grandchildren or perhaps even for future service members. What you do is truly remarkable, and I admire the time,skill, and love that goes into every quilt. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown me.

Thank you again, Anne. Your quilt will always be treasured, and I will think of your kindness whenever I see it.

Warmest regards,

***

Hey Cath H,

I’m sending this email now as I was packing my bag to head down to dive school in Sydney this week and I have packed your beautiful sunflower and rooster laundry bag. I recently returned from OP Lighthouse where I was attached with the Air force (I’m Army) in the Middle East. It was my first big overseas deployment and my first time receiving the laundry bags ! We were told to pick out our favourite bag and similar to you I believe the bag has to choose you haha. The roosters and sunflowers stood out to me as my unit 21 construction’s mascot is a rooster and we have a rooster / chicken pen in the middle of our compound, although since I’ve been home I haven’t seen him I think he is on holidays. I also love sunflowers and swimming so I have a pair of sunflower budgie smugglers which I will be wearing down at the dive school.

I want to thank you for making the laundry bag it means a lot and the letter attached was inspiring I was at the cinema last night watching ‘Heart of the Beast” with Brad Pitt which was about a service dog and a retired soldier reminded me of the stories about your son who sounds like he had some great adventures in his service and contracting. I will warn you if you haven’t seen the movie it’s a real tearjerker in the final scene, I know you’re a dog person as I am so I thought I’d warn you take some tissues!Again, Thank you for the laundry bag to the others that make them as well its greatly appreciated and I’ll hold onto it tightly!

Regards,

***

Good morning Jan-Maree and team,

I have received my laundry bag this week, along with a lovely note from Cath and Philomena, and am delighted with the result. I especially like the blue and white colour combination chosen as I will see it as representing my contribution to 2SQN in my time here, having received the NATO medal. As my posting ends this year this laundry bag is a lovely reminder of my time in Williamtown.

***

Dear Kristie H,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I wanted to take the time to sincerely thank you for the beautiful laundry bag you made for me. Receiving something that has been handmade with such care and thought means a great deal, and I wanted you to know just how much I appreciate it.

What stood out most to me was the effort you put into finding the material and creating the Sydney theme. It is clear that a lot of thought and time went into making it something special, and that personal touch is what makes it so meaningful. Knowing that someone has taken the time to carefully select the fabric and create something unique is truly appreciated. The Sydney theme is particularly fitting and something I will always enjoy seeing and using throughout my career.

A little about me: I have been serving in the Royal Australian Navy for the past eight years as a Boatswain’s Mate. I joined the Navy when I was 21 years old, coming from Mackay in North Queensland. Since then, I have spent the majority of my career serving in Darwin, where I have had many rewarding experiences at sea and ashore. I am currently undertaking my first Regional Presence Deployment, which has been a fantastic opportunity to represent Australia and work with partner nations throughout the region. Once this deployment is complete, I will be promoting and posting to HMAS Harman for the next chapter of my Navy career.

Throughout my time in the Navy I have been fortunate to meet many generous and supportive people, and your gift is a reminder of the kindness that exists within our wider community. The laundry bag is something practical that I will use regularly, but more importantly it is something that will remind me of the generosity and effort that went into making it.

Thank you again for your time, creativity, and kindness. I hope this letter reaches you and conveys just how grateful I am for your thoughtful gift. Your effort has not gone unnoticed, and I will treasure the laundry bag for many years to come.

***

Dear Beverly U,

I wanted to thank you for the beautiful quilt. I plan I giving it to my husband when he retires.

When I opened it , I was taken back to many postings and memories which made me smile and brought a tear to my eye. What a wonderful job you have done and I am sure that he will absolutely love it.

Please thank Joan B for her lovely embroidery as well.

After 30 years of serving we are looking forward to retirement and starting a new phase in our lives.

Thank you again for your generosity.

Kind regards

***

The following was a hand written beautiful gift card for Ruth.....

G'day Ruth S,

I am in awe of the quality of your work. The laundry bag you created for me is absolutely perfect and very much appreciated. I will certainly be using it on all upcoming work trips and deployments.

On a previous deployment, I remember feeling a little homesick at times, and I believe this beautiful gift will be a wonderful remeinder of home. On behalf of myself and my colleagues, I would like to express how incredibly grateful we are for everything you and the other volunteers do for us. Words cannot adequately thank you for the time, care and dedication that goes into the heartfelt gifts.

Sending love and best wishes to you and your family....

***

G’day Bridget R,

I hope this email finds you well, I was the lucky one who received your homemade laundry bag. I had the opportunity to be one of the first few people that got to pick their laundry bag and your one instantly caught my eye.

(it was definitely because I’m a big eater and I loved all the eating times on it and it uniqueness that no one else will have one like it.)

I thank you for all you do for us at Aussie heroes and I will cherish the laundry bag as it is a much needed item in my life especially since my one had recently ripped inside a washing machine earlier that day. (I’ve learnt my lesson and will hand wash them when they get dirty)

Your laundry bag is in safe and loving hands. Once again I thank you for all you do for us, both of us are doing selfless tasks to help the community.

Kind regards

***

Good afternoon Beverly U,

Firstly I must apologise for taking so long to say thank you for the brilliant quilt you have made for me.It might have been about a year since you started working on my quit, adorned with squirrels and acorns.The quilt you made kept me at the perfect warmth whilst I was posted to HMAS Brisbane, where a blanket is too hot and a sheet alone is too cold.Since returning home, I have used the quilt as a hanging above my bed.The lovely balance of green, brown and amber creates a warmth for my bedroom that perfectly captures the cosy feel of autumn.

Your quilts have an enormous impact on the morale of the crew, and make our sleeping arrangements feel just like home.

God bless,

***

Hello Bel P!

Oh my goodness! I just opened my parcel and it is beyond incredible! Your card was so lovely and I definitely shed a little tear. You're so talented and I genuinely can't thank you enough. I was so lucky to have met and been looked after by your daughter on HMAS Choules and it was the best first trip an Air Force gal could have asked for. My Navy journey has been great so far and I can't wait for all the adventures this laundry bag will see. Thank you so much again and I look forward to catching up properly when we can.

***

Op Southern Discovery 2026-2027 Presentation

The recipient will be heading south to Antarctica soon on the Icebreaker. To acclimatise him, Hobart welcomed him with snow, rain and chilly southerly winds.

He was very grateful for the quilt!

Quilt top by Bobbie and the Mystery BOMers, quilted by Philomena and finished by the Garage Girls.

Laundry bag by Clarissa.

***

Cheers Catherine D

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

🌼🌷🌹🌻🌼🌷🌹🌻