Happy Wednesday Friends!

Wow, November already! Christmas is just around the corner....

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!

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Hi Jenny,

Just a quick note to say thanks for the laundry bag!

We have had a busy year conducting many exercises across S.E. Asia – this photo comes to you from the outskirts of Malaysia.

Your support to those of us deployed is really appreciated.

Hope all is well at home.

Kind Regards,

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Good Morning, Joy H,

Thank you, thank you, thank you, it made me so happy when I saw that quilt! It is beautiful and has so many details which I love, the blue and gold macaw, her name is Blu, F=35s, Paramatta eels, and the excellent smiley faced bomb in the middle, i will cherish it.

Thank you to you and your family for doing such a generous gift for a person you don't know, I is a great thing, and I love it.

I hope you and your family are well and have an amazing Christmas.

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Dear Bennie C,

I just wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for the absolutely wonderful Navy Christmas themed laundry bag you created for Aussie Hero Quilts. I was lucky enough to obtain it at the annual volunteers’ dinner last night, and I couldn’t be more delighted.

Your craftsmanship and the festive design are truly special. It’s clear how much care and effort you put into your work, and I feel very grateful to now own one of your creations. It’s not only practical but also such a cheerful reminder of the spirit of giving and support that Aussie Hero Quilts embodies.

I also want to thank you for sharing the story of your family. Hearing about your son and daughter-in-law serving in the Army, and the connection to your friend in the RAAF, gave an even deeper meaning to your beautiful work. It was touching to learn about the bonds your family has with the ADF and the pride and service that runs through it. It makes your contribution to the Aussie Hero Quilts community all the more inspiring.

I thought I would share a little of our own family’s service as well. My grandparents both served during the Second World War, and my wife’s father served in Malaysia and Borneo. My wife herself is still serving in the Army after an incredible 39 years of dedication. After 35 years in the Navy, I will be retiring this year after a career that has taken me everywhere. Our oldest son has just joined the RAAF, continuing the proud tradition of service in our family. It’s a legacy that brings us great pride and makes contributions like yours even more meaningful.

Thank you again for sharing your talent, your story, and for everything you and the other AHQ voluneteers do for the community. The annual AHQ dinner last night was a great success.

Kind Regards

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Len Smith is a long-time supporter of AHQ and over several years has generously donated many beautiful works of arts for fundraising at the thankyou weekend.

This year’s event was special for Len because he was presented with a personalised Aussie Hero quilt acknowledging his service, various assignments, art, academic achievements and family reflections.

Len Smith’s quilt was presented its maker, volunteer Marianne R, in the presence of Len’s wife Rita and Marianne’s husband Les.

The quilt featured photos on fabric of Len’s time in the army, images from various tours of duty, his art plus family photos of his parents, all surrounded by abstract poppies - one of Len’s favourite fine art subjects.

Presented in the foyer of the Canberra Rex Hotel, AHQ volunteers nearby took a keen interest in the quilt as Len was admiring it, adding to the excitement of the occasion.

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G’day,

I have received this lovely laundry bag from Cath H. Thank you and the team for the amazing work.

Sincerely

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Dear Ellen N,

Thank you so much for the beautiful laundry bag you sent my husband. I could see the thought and care you put into making it. He has used it on a trip already and we now use it regularly when visiting family in Sydney as well.

Thank you for the sacrifice and service to Australia which you and your family have given. As all serving members are aware, it is the whole family who carried to load.

My husband is alsofrom a proud defence tradition.He has been in the Navy for 12 years and just transferred to the airforce this last year. Before that he too was a Navy Brat. His Dad has been in the Navy for 47 years and counting.

Thank you again for your beautiful gift.

Kind regards,

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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!

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