Thanks on Thursday

Written by AHQ

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12 July 2018

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Hey all,

check out these thank you messages…

Great job everyone.

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Thank you for my amazing quilt. I love it and appreciate all of the wonderful work you all do. The little post boxes of morale have been a deployment highlight for my team and I.

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G’day Beverley,

Cheers for the laundry bag, it looks awesome, they just arrived just in time for us to go away on Friday. My missus especially likes the sausage dog on it.

It sounds like you live a busy and fun life and I’d love to do as much of the things that you have.

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Hello Ruth,

My beautiful new laundry bag arrived a couple of days ago and I immediately emptied my dirty clothes into it and hung it on my door.

Thank you so much for the thoughts and effort you stitched into my one-of-a-kind bag. It’s wonderful that you used an RSPCA tea towel, so I will be paying it forward with a donation to the RSPCA on your behalf.

I also love the illustrations of the many “oodle” breeds, as my beautiful pup at home is a Spoodle. I can see Lenny’s expressions in those pictures, and I’ve been smiling every time I look at the bag.

I love that you were inspired by a family connection to contribute to Aussie Hero Quilts and Laundry bags. They really do brighten our days, and it even makes a talking point in the laundry when we compare our bags.

Thanks again for responding to my request and providing me with a momento of my deployment. I look forward to taking it home to show to my three boys. They have been looking after Lenny in my absence, and I think they are all now looking forward to my return in mid August.

Best wishes to you and your family,

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Hello Bridget,

Thank you so very much for the Wonder Woman Quilt. It’s absolutely awesome, I love it, you’re very talented!

once again thank you very much for the lovely quilt, it has brightened up my day and my room.

Take care,
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Good morning Georgina,

Thank you for the wonderful quilt – it is beautiful and captures so much of my life.

I had to pause before writing as I found it most moving to receive such a gift from a total stranger.

Your generosity of time and skill is overwhelming and you have made an old soldier very happy.

I am the second oldest Australian in the area of operations. I retired in 1997 as a senior instructor at the Army School of Health and was reactivated in 2012 due to a service need/skill gap. I never imagined being back in uniform north of 50. I dropped rank in returning however; will be promoted in a couple of months.

I am married and have 2 daughters, the oldest a doctor and the second is an Army Officer.

The oldest announced her engagement two weeks before I departed so wedding plans are well underway. An exciting time although I do feel somewhat out of the loop being so far away.

The tempo here is constant with little time for respite.

I have a good team working with me -US and UK which greatly helps.

The heat is oppressive and I miss Australian bush, fresh water and fresh food that is not deep fried.

I trust you are enjoying everything that winter has to offer – I will miss winter this year having departed in summer and returning in summer.

Continue to encourage you sons, our children are our legacy.

Thank you again for your care and generousity.

King regards,

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Dear Debbie N

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

My quilt is awesome!!

I love what you did. The colours and pictures are all amazing. I especially like that you put OP Accordion and the date.

This is my first deployment. It is both fun and hard work, especially being so far from home for so long.

It’s the little things like your quilt that make my day happy and fun.

My job here is to load all cargo and passengers onto the planes.

I love my job and feel so lucky to get to travel and meet new people.

I travelled a lot as a child like you, my dad was also in the Air Force.

It’s so nice that your kids live close to you.

Thanks again for your amazing work. It really does bring a smile to people’s faces.

Kindest regards,

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Dear Bridget,

I recently received a quilt and pack of snakes (my favourite) that was sent by you, and I wish to thank you for the very kind gesture that you have made. I am currently serving with the Royal Australian Air Force in the Middle East Region and am deployed as part of the Expeditionary Airbase Operations Unit on Operation ACCORDION. To receive packages from Australia is very comforting; knowing that you are being thought of and supported.

I thought I would tell you a little bit about what we are doing. Operation ACCORDION is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to helping the Iraqi people defend themselves from terrorists operating in Iraq and Syria.

Whilst it is hard being away from family and friends in Brisbane, especially over holidays and family occasions such as birthdays, we have very good support and activities planned that allow us to look after each other and keep morale high.

On behalf of the Airmen and Women deployed with the Expeditionary Airbase Operations Unit, thank you for your continued support.

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Hello Melissa,

Thank you so much for the quilt. Its amazing, I’m so happy with it. My team and I agree that its the best quilt here. You say you’re no expert, but the results beg to differ. I learned about Aussie Hero Quilts soon after my arrival here in the Middle East. Its a really good cause and I respect and appreciate your contributions. It sounds like you have the quite the active family, I’m amazed with all the juggling you do as a parent that you found the time to be able to be a part of Aussie Hero Quilts.

I’ve been out in the middle east for 4 and 1/2 months. My time here has been going by real quick even though we work eleven hour days. I work in communications administering the defence network it keeps my team and I really busy which helps time go by quick. Deployed life life consists of working some long days, doing PT most days and trying to relax in our down time. rinse, lather and repeat haha.

My team all received their quilts pretty early into our tour and started telling me that I wasn’t going to receive one haha just the boys being boys. So when it arrived I was super excited, I plan to hang it up when I get home just because its too good to be used.

Once again thank you so much for the time and effort you clearly put into the production of my newly acquired and highly loved Quilt and Laundry bag.

Kind Regards,

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Hi Ruth,

Thank you so much for the Adelaide United laundry bag that you made for me. It is amazing! So very generous of you. And thank you also for the Adelaide United clothing. The shorts fit me well and whilst the shirt is a little tight, it’ll fit my wife who is doing the hard yards back at home. I’ve just renewed our Adelaide United memberships too 🙂

Thanks also for your letter. Your thoughts and kindness are very much appreciated. Its good to hear about yourself and your connections to the military. My wife is in the Air Force (about to hit 20 years!) and both of my grandfathers were in the RNZAF.

The weather here is unbelievable: it hasn’t rained since April 16, last month almost every day was above 40 degrees, and today the gauge hit 53! Quite a contrast to the weather you’re currently experiencing back home. What I do find amazing is that they manage to keep the limited amount of grass around the base green. There’s a patch in the shape of a kangaroo which is pretty neat. We also have a memorial on base which is where we hold our ANZAC dawn service and sunset services in remembrance of each of our fallen soldiers.

I will cherish your laundry bag along with the quilt that I received as the best mementos of my tour. Your great work is much appreciated. Thanks once again,

Best regards,

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Hi Joanne,

Sorry I would have written back sooner, but I have been a bit busy over the last couple of weeks. I would just like to say thank you for my blanket, it is amazing! It is exactly want I wanted. The reason behind the unusual request is that I love Mack trucks, I grew up around them as a kid and for the dogs I have two crazy dogs, Sasha is the border collie and Pepper is the wolfhound and I just love colour, it brightens up my day! I have not used my blanket yet as it is rather hot over here at the moment, however when I get back to Australia I plan to frame it and hang it up on the wall, so everyone can admire it! You are so talented.

I am the youngest on this trip as I have just turned 21. It has been a rewarding trip, it has really opened my eyes to the real world. No day is the same here, as my mum says “look for the blessings each day”, and that’s what I do. There are all different nations over here that we work closely with; New Zealand, Americans and the British just to name a few. The weather has been getting hotter, the locals say that July is the hottest month and sand storms are becoming more frequent. We are just past half way in the trip which is exciting, it has gone so fast! The days go quick here as I go to gym twice daily, work during the day and sometimes at night depending on flights and in between all that I eat and sleep. You get into a routine after a while..

Anyway, I would just like to thankyou for making my quilt and all the hard work you do for making these quilts for people like me. It is a lovely gift, I appreciate it!

Thank you

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Hi Debra,

I received the quilt you made for me today, thankyou very much. It adds a nice homey touch to my rather bland living spare. Firstly I’d like to thank your father for his service.

Thankyou so much for your time and efforts to support our troops, I’m sure that they are greatly appreciated and it’s always nice to have a bit of home with us, especially at the end of a long hard day.

Many thanks

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Dear Robyn,

Thank you so so much for my beautiful quilt! it is just gorgeous! The cheery colours and messages are exactly what I need at the moment to put a smile on my face. It was clearly made with skill and care. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to receive such a beautiful gift. You did a great job of bringing together all the things I love! The surfing girl in the middle was very cleverly done!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I do miss my family, especially on days like mother’s day as you mentioned. I was lucky though, I was able to talk on the phone to my mum that day, and my mother’s day card I posted to her got to her in time. We have quite good facilities where we are so we get to use Skype and make phone calls when we get time. This makes it so much easier to stay in touch with my husband and family. Even with today’s technology, the post still takes a long time.

I hope you are well and that the weather isn’t too chilly! We’re just going into summer over here so I’ll probably be wishing for a cold NSW morning in the coming months.

Thank you again and best wishes,

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Hello Helen and Pat,

I can’t thank you enough for my beautiful quilt. I absolutely adore it. It is just what I was hoping for, thank you both so much. I love the colours and think the painted material is stunning.

I was into textiles when I was at school and quilts were my favourite thing to make as there is so much room to be creative. Unfortunately since leaving home and joining the Army I haven’t done any sewing, I’m hoping to get back into it and maybe one day my mum and I could make a beautiful quilt together. When I received the quilt, I rang mum and told her while she was at her weekly sewing class. Mum was telling her teacher, who said she knows you and how special it is to have a quilt made by you.

The quilt makes my room feel much homier and it will make my time here easier having something so beautiful in my room.

Thank you both so much,

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Good Afternoon Pennie,

I am e-mailing you to convey my deepest appreciation for the time you have taken in making this laundry bag. Dealing with my laundry is enjoyable and the colour your bag has added to not only my day but the other guys and girls while at sea has been noticeable.

I am a Maritime Warfare Officer onboard one of our submarines, but when not in uniform I spend most of my time in the surf and on the water, so your laundry bag could not have been more accurate.

I would also like to thank you for your service as an Emergency Nurse. As the son of a Nurse I have an appreciation for the sacrifice and hard hours you work so in kind, thank you.

I do hope that your work and sewing habit continue to coexist because both make such a difference.

Kindest Regards from Hawaii,

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Hi Christine
I would like to inform you I have recently received your quilt and would like to extend my gratitude.
I am very appreciative of your time and efforts.
No need to apologise about the Hornet silhouettes I completely understand – I love the 3 Dimensional Labyrinth effect and am curious as to how it is done so well!
The colours also perfectly match my Son’s Batman pillow case which I have brought over with me!
I hope you are enjoying some nice weather over in the west coast, as it is extremely hot over here at the moment.
I am working over here as a diesel mechanic and very proud to be here.

Once again thank you very much and take care
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Good afternoon Cathie,

I would like to extend my appreciation for the hard work you have put into my quilt, I love it thank you so very much.
I have been away from home now for 3 month’s and it’s harder than I thought to be away from loved ones.
Once again I thank you for my quilt.

Kind Regards.
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Good Morning Jan-Maree,

I would like you know that I have received my laundry bag from Ruth and I would like her to know that I appreciate it very much. The addition of a bit of colour to an otherwise dreary and bland environment is greatly appreciated and I would like to thank you for the gift, I believe the work you do is important and I can tell you it is appreciated by all members that are deployed.

Thanks again,

Kind Regards,
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Till next time…. keep spreading the word and happy stitching!
Jan-Maree xxxx

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,