Here is Keryn’s account of the day…
On Monday I had the privilege of attending the presentation, made by Defence Minister, Marise Payne, of a Gym bag containing the Australian Invictus Team uniforms etc and most importantly the Laundry Bags, to the men & women who are participating in the Toronto Invictus Games 2017. After the formalities and photo or two on the lawn, and then a delicious lunch, most of the recipients didn’t wait too long to check out their bag contents and were overjoyed, awestruck even, when they saw their Laundry Bags, each one personalised by our own treasured sewists. There were smiles and tears and a lot of “how did they (meaning the AHQ ladies & gents) know so much about me to personalise my bag?” You’ll be happy to know that no secrets were given away.
Keryn also managed to meet her recipient, athlete and swimmer, Melissa Roberts.
But Keryn also got to meet another recipient, a connection that i had completely forgotten about. It was not til we were about to go and were saying goodbye to Katrina and Garry when the Invictus Team Co-Captain Peter Rudland caught up to say goodbye.
We talked for a bit and then Keryn caught sight of Peter’s name tag….
Peter Rudland.
Keryn knew that name as she had made Peter’s Wounded Warrior Quilt a few years ago. This is the very special moment when the connection was realised!
Pete sat with the Minister of Defence at lunch time and when he met Keryn he told her that he had been regaling them all with descriptions of his quilt, saying “your laundry bags are awsome, but my quilt is better than them all.”
It was certainly a great way for Keryn and Pete to end the visit!
Till next time…. Go TEAM AUSTRALIA!
Jan-Maree xx
What a very special day.