Grati-Wednesday 18th March 2026

 

Happy Wednesday Friends!

In some letters this weeks letter, we hear about the choice of design. It is always wonderful to hear about the personal connections. 

 There are, as always, some awesome letters which definitely pull at the heart strings. 

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

***

Every time there is a course for New to the ADF chaplains we present them with a personalised laundry bag in order to introduce them to what we do and why. This latest batch of chaplains received their laundry bags, made by Fran T and Clarissa L.  Neither of the ladies could be present so Sue G and Kirsten O stood in for us and did a wonderful job as Aussie Hero Reps.

 

Dear Jan-Maree,

 

I wanted to write to express my thanks for the beautiful laundry bag that Aussie Hero Quilts recently gifted me as a new to service Chaplain. Fran T crafted such a beautiful bag, and I am very grateful! I didn’t know anything about Aussie Hero Quilts before last Friday and I was really excited to talk to Kirsten O about the great work you all do, and how much she loved both her quilts. I will definitely keep AHQ in mind as I interact with members and their families moving forward – it is such a wonderful initiative.

 

Please accept deep bows from me for your generosity and ongoing care of our veterans.

 

Warmly,

...

Dear Clarissa L,

Thank you very, very much for the sewn laundry bag. You did absolutely amazing work and receiving it was the highlight of a very long first week at Chaplain's College. The inclusion of the quote from Philippians "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is a stalwart passage that has helped me through many hard times. Thank you, thank you! I will treasure it always.

A bit about myself - I completed a Bachelor of Languages in my 20s and then I enlisted in the RAAF in 2017. After a few years I'd worked with so many amazing chaplains that I considered commissioning and becoming a chaplain myself. When I applied to transfer there was not a single female Catholic chaplain in Defence, and I prepared for months for my OSB. I was very grateful to be accepted to the In-Service Transfer Scheme where Defence covered my study fees and I committed to a ROSO of four years (though I'll likely stay much longer!) The study pathway meant that I did a Bachelor of Theology where almost all my classmates were either seminarians or retired men studying for the deaconate. I have no idea if the Catholic church will ever accept women to the priesthood, but I am very glad Defence recognises that the work of a chaplain can be done by any experienced and theologically qualified male OR female. I'm currently posted to my hometown of Adelaide and am happy for my next posting to be anywhere in Australia. 

I have an indoor cat (domestic longhair) called Whiskey and she is the best companion - brushing her is very meditative after a long day at work! 

Thank you again for your work with Aussie Hero Quilts. It is deeply appreciated and my laundry bag will travel with me everywhere!

With best wishes for you and your family,

Your sister in Christ, 

***

Hi Lisa N,

 

I love the quilt and bag you have designed and appreciate the time taken to make it.

 

Thank you very much for all you do for members in defence with the Aussie hero quilts.

 

Kind regards,

***

Afternoon Clarissa L,

 

I just wanted to say thank you for the bag and the letter. The laundry bag is excellent and I will use it with pride for many more years I’m sure. I appreciate you sharing your story and details about your family. I am glad you have had a positive experience with the military, and I thank you for being part of a military family and supporting your son. Without loving family members like yourself, military members wouldn’t be able to do what they do.

 

Thanks again and wishing you best of luck in the new year.

 

Kind regards,

***

Good evening Rita J,

I am the recipient of one of your amazing quilts and laundry bags and I am just so grateful. You and your team, Philomena H and Joan B, have done such a wonderful job making something I will cherish forever, thank you. I can see a lot of time and effort has gone into this and I’m sure I speak for all of us that we truly value what you do. 

Thank you also for sharing part of your life with me. It sounds like your new home has been a great move for you and your Partner. I know also that organisations like Men’s Sheds do amazing work in the community; good on your for your support to them. 

I’ve finished up my time overseas and am back with my family in Canberra. My wife gave birth to our first son while I was deployed so I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to be a dad over the last few weeks. Maybe the quilt will go on his bed one day if he promises to take care of it. 

Thank you again, please pass my thanks to Philomena and Joan also and I wish you all the best. 

Warm regards,

***

Good afternoon Marti J,

 

Thank you so much for my beautiful quilt. It was received safe and sound yesterday here in Europe, where I’m currently deployed for 6 months.

 

This is my third operational deployment with the ADF and my first quilt, so I was very excited to receive your beautiful work.

 

I put it on my bed straight away, and even in this short time it has already brought me so much joy. I’m a very keen gardener, I love Australian natives and bush flowers, so it is absolutely perfect for me.

 

Thank you for all you do with Aussie Hero Quilts, we all really appreciate having a little bit of home while we’re away.

 

Kind regards,

Marti J

***

I, Bel Payne was lucky enough to do another presentation this week. We had a great early lunch which turned into a 2 hour break. The recipient had recently returned from the Middle East and was glad to be home and on leave until July. He absolutely loved his quilt and couldn't wait to send a photo to his colleagues he had been overseas with.  He asked for Madagascar characters to represent the nicknames they gave themselves while there.  I found a very sassy image of Gloria and apparently I hit the nail on the head!

Even better was being able to take a photo together, unlike my last presentation. LOL

***

Cheers Catherine D

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

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Request List 17 March 26

  

Hi all

Please look at the embroidery of the Navy crest pictured below. You will see the “jump threads” where the machine needle moves to the next section to embroider it. When you receive your embroidered item, please cut and remove these jump threads from the crest etc before you include in the item you are making. These threads are safe to cut away – the embroidery will not unravel.  

Mini Wall Hangings for VIP invitations.  

Ever since we started having annual Dinners in Canberra, we have created special handmade gifts to accompany our VIP invitations. We don’t do the same thing each year. Sometimes we do a small wall hanging featuring the appropriate service crest. Sometimes we make laundry bags or even mini laundry bags. This year we are doing mini wall hangings with an ANZAC theme of your choice. Several folk have put their hands up to do one but I still need more volunteers. Would you like to do one?  If so, please check out the request list below.  

PRIORITIES 

Requests number 4 -27 are on deployment. So obviously we would like to get these requests completed. It would be good to get these done and to their recipients. 

As always, the requests are listed in priority order. There are many new and interesting requests that have come on this week. 

Please let me know if you can help.  

POST BY DATE 

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 21 April 26 please, or earlier if you can manage this.  If you cannot make that date, please let me know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or the other. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know BEFORE you post it. Also, if this time frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss, thank you.     

Request Information 

When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable. A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours but please include at least one of their interests. It is fine to keep it simple.  

If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do, I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated…. i.e. one of the following, please….  There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list.  

Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there. We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.    

A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the name given you in any correspondence with the admin team. This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.   

CPL Wanda Quilt  

TG 3456  

AFPO XX  

ADF  

Sydney NSW 2890 

Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender - the PO Box is a safe place in the event of any mishaps with postage.  

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags)  

PO Box 248, 

Cherrybrook, NSW 2126  

Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops. I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring.  

If you are using an AHQ supplied prepaid satchel, please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender, it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney. 

Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination.  

Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you.  

Helpful info may be gleaned here  http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/2019/07/information-post-for-those-that-sew-for.html   I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off.  

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.   

For example….  

Marvel Theme. Ironman     M       LB      1  

This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request. If you find it hard to copy and paste, please copy the line out as above.   

Decoding The Columns  

The first column is the theme or preferences requested.  

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient.  

The third column is as follows.  

B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish)  

Q= just a quilt  

LB = just a laundry bag  

F= female  

M= male  

Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions....Just email friendsofahq@gmail.com   

Looking forward to seeing what you want to make this week. Happy stitching!  

Cheers,  

Jan-Maree 

P.P.S.  Don't forget to check out AHQ on the Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 

VIP Invitations.  Every year we make something which will serve as our invitation for our VIPs to attend our Annual Dinner. This year we are going to make miniature wall hangings with an ANZAC Theme. The wall hangings are to be 12" by 9" in portrait format.  We need 24 in total. These are one sided with the design details on the front. The back is to have a rod pocket on it.  The only requirement of the front is that it be ANZAC Themed though please bear in mind that not all invitations will be for Army personnel. If you would like to make one of these invitations please put in a request. We need 18 or so. You will be advised who your Invitation is for so you can write a personal letter to go with your creation. The front of the invitation can be pieced, appliqued, embroidered or painted as you see fit. We would like a creatively completed piece, rather than a piece of a commercial panel with no extra adornment.  If you are not sure what I mean then please feel free to reach out and ask questions. Your completed invitation will need to be sent to AHQ Headquarters.			1
Random laundry bags for Aussie soldiers undertaking training in Malaysia.  If you would like to make one or more random gender-neutral laundry bags to send to Malaysia that would be great. Postage for these go through a Locked Bag address in Australia so prepaid satchels can be used but you need to be prepared to buy your own satchel. You can fit 2LBs in a small satchel, 6 in a Large Satchel and around 12-13 in an XL satchel.  No crests are needed for these but they can be any theme with a patch on it as long as each bag is different and all gender neutral. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE GOODIES WITH THE BAGS	M	LB	2
Australian & Ukraine Flags, Pine Forest covered in snow, the Grim Reaper Saint Javelin, Text "OP KUDU 2026" (We can supply the Reaper, St Javelin image & emb text)	M	Q	3
Australian flag, Ukrainian flag, text "OP KUDU XII" Skippy badge, Classic British landscape (We can provide the Skippy badge, emb text)	M	Q	4
Australian flag Delta reaper Ukraine flag with Text “OP KUDU XII 2026” (We can provide Delta reaper printed on fabric and the text as emb)	M	Q	5
Operation Mazurka, 2026, Egypt, pyramids, sandy colour theme, Aussie Flag, Red kangaroo emblem	M	Q	6
RAN crest (small) Surfs Up Movie Themed (We can provide the RAN crest)	M	Q	7
Rising Sun, Australian Flag, Ukraine Flag, Ukraine Trident, The motto "Glory to Ukraine" in the Ukrainian language (We can provide the Rising Sun and Ukraine Trident and can have the text embroidered.)  He has chosen the above because he wants to honour the Australian Unity with Ukraine during their fight against invasion.	M	Q	8
Queensland Reds themed	M	Q	9
Dark Blue, AFL (Port Adelaide), Cavalry Light horseman, Australia	M	Q	10
RAAF crest with service details Incorporate a green military tunnel tent (11x11 style), Super hornet and a C-17 Globemaster. Likes flowers, Vintage-country style, Favourite colour is blue. (We can provide RAAF crest)	F	B	11
Rising Sun AAAVN Corp badge Army themed Toned down background Long-haired Jack Russel dogs Red macaw Yellow-naped amazon parrots (We can provide the Rising Sun, Corp badge and images of members dog and birds)	M	Q	12
RAAF Crest RAAF (F-35), Surfing/Ocean Australian Nature/wildlife 1 or 2 Barnacles (for my partner) Aurora Australis	M	B	13
Rising Sun RAAOC Corps Badge  Army Themed (We can provide the Rising Sun & RAAOC Corps badge)	M	Q	14
RAAF Crest Air Force theme with Fast jets like F/A-18F Super Hornets (We can provide the RAAF Crest - and silhouette of Super Hornet if needed)	M	Q	15
Green, ANZAC, Army, Poppies, Rising Sun. Also, if you can fit in the Sydney Roosters, that would be awesome.  If you could include the on the quilt - RSM AUSCON - Rotation 59A OP MAZURKA 2026	M	Q	16
Tri Service Themed (Navy/Army/RAAF), include submarines, tanks & jets. Multinational Force & Observers logo with details	M	B	17
Air Force themed. Blues and blacks with hints of red. Text Surname plus MFO EGYPT 2026	M	Q	18
Navy Blue and white. AFL Carlton Football Club theme.	M	Q	19
1 RAR/Infantry/ Skippy badge/Army/ ANZAC Themed quilt	M	Q	20
Green, ANZAC, Army, Poppies, Rising Sun. Also, if you can fit in the Sydney Roosters, that would be awesome.  If you could include the on the quilt - RSM AUSCON - Rotation 59A OP MAZURKA 2026	M	Q	21
Air Force themed. Blues and blacks with hints of red. With deployment details.	M	Q	22
Army Aviation theme(helicopters)/ANZAC theme/Egypt	M	B	23
Blue -Horses, CrossFit, Dog (Black, Shepard), Mountain climbing and biking, running, beach, sky diving	M	Q	24
Blue colours, diving in the ocean, pyramids and coffee	M	Q	25
Nuclear Symbol American Eagle Blue and white or even Blue white and red in colour	M	Q	26
RAAF / ANZAC themed with a bit of a Port Adelaide Footy touch to it if possible, please	F	Q	27
Cartoon like pictures of Frozen and Shrek	M	B	28
Anything Red Bull Formula 1 or MotoGP I absolutely love CATS lol.	M	B	29
Black background with grey submarine silhouette Red kangaroo symbol in the middle and Southern Cross stars in rings in white.  (image available of design)	M	B	30
Beach Kangaroo Australian landmarks	M	Q	31
Army Themed in earthy tones. Quilt -Rising Sun, Australian Flag, United Nations Flag and (new) Syrian flag Laundry Bag - Army Rising Sun with my name written on it. My only other preference is that I like symmetry… I make my bed perfectly every morning and something that looks mostly symmetrical would be amazing"	M	B	32
Navy Crest Navy Theme Colours Red, White and Blue Naval Police Coxswain  & Marine Technician (Electrical) badges Deployments Op ACCORDION Op HIGHROAD Op SAMOA ASSIST Op RESOLUTE Op CELESTA  Op RELEX II  Ships/Establishments served on HMAS Cerberus Fleet Support Unit - Sydney HMAS Success HMAS Arunta HMAS Tobruk HMAS Kuttabul  Exchange postings in United Kingdom & Honolulu, United States. (We can provide Navy Crest & list of Deployments, can provide ship/establishment crests)	F	Q	32
Gym and Hajime no Ippo (Anime/ Manga) Theme. Please also include exactly 1 cup of milk somewhere	M	Q	34
Lionel Messi (Argentine soccer player - plays for Inter Miami CF) and Lebron James (US Basketball player - LA Lakers team)	M	Q	35
XBOX game theme: Tomb Raider/Assassin Creed/cyber punk/Grand Theft Auto	F	Q	36
HMAS Brisbane with ocean themed sea monsters (We can provide the Ships crest, RAN crest & ships silhouette)	M	Q	37
Military Police themed with Explosions	M	Q	38
Optimus Prime fighting Megatron with Explosions	M	Q	39
Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Harry Potter, Dungeons and Dragons.	F	Q	40
The Big Lez Show (Australian comedy cartoon-like web series)	M	Q	41
Dragon Ball Z	M	Q	42
Physical Training Instructor Some Bears and Unicorns incorporated for my kids. Colour scheme more masculine colours with a little feminine. (We can provide PTI rate badge or could be easily appliqued)	M	Q	43
Ronnie Coleman (American former Bodybuilder) and body building in general  (images available)	M	Q	44
Liverpool FC (Mo Salah, Virgil, Gerrard, King Kenny)	M	Q	45
Star Trek Deep Space 9	M	Q	46
Surf's up the movie themed	M	Q	47
Greek Themed Food Truck with Explosions	M	Q	48
HMAS Brisbane/ocean themed (We can provide the Brisbane crest, RAN crests & the ships silhouette)	F	Q	49
HMAS Brisbane/ocean themed (We can provide the Brisbane & RAN crests)	M	Q	50
Melbourne Storm NRL Team	M	Q	51
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs team with NWA artist in a ballerina concert.	M	Q	52
Transformers	M	Q	53
Goat with explosions	M	Q	54
Tanks through the ages	M	Q	55
Hydrographer/Survey, Fishing (Barramundi), Blue and white	M	B	56
Running (Road and Trail), Mountains, Camping	M	Q	57
Video games, Monster Hunter (Mizutsune), Purple	M	LB	58
Ocean colours. Great Barrier Reef, Personal cruising boating. CIS Comms logo. Navy White Ensign. (We can provide the CIS Comms badge logo)	M	B	59
METOC, Snowboarding, Groodle, Ocean, Blue and White, Sydney Roosters	M	B	60
4WD, Sunrises, Beach, Blue and green.	M	Q	61
Rising Sun, RAAF and Navy Crests,  Joint service themed. Hobbies are watching Formula 1, playing golf and Four-wheel Driving. (We can supply the Service crests)	M	Q	62
Cobra Kai (American Karate drama TV show)	M	LB	63
The Witcher (Books/Video Game) (My favourite), PlayStation, 4WDing. Predominately blue, silver, or black.	M	LB	64
Retro Arcade	M	LB	65
King Dedede (character from Nintendo's video game 'Kirby') Red, blue, yellow and white coloured theme	M	LB	66
Videogames/Orange/Blue	M	LB	67
Rapper 50 cent	M	LB	68
Doom Eternal Theme (video game)	M	LB	68
Wolverine	M	LB	70
One Piece, Zorro vs King battle	M	LB	71
Queensland Maroons themed	M	Q	72
Kookaburras and mines	M	Q	73
Random Pokémon themed, include mega Lucario if possible	M	Q	74
Navy themed, with ships and crests from HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06), HMAS Sydney 5 (DDG 42), HMAS Yarra 4 (MHC 87) (We can provide the ships crests)	M	Q	76
Rising Sun with details, Corp Badges for Artillery and Military Police, Army theme Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Maroons (We can provide the Rising Sun and badges)	M	Q	77
Navy Crest with service details Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) Ships Crests- HMAS Canberra which I served on for 12 years. HMAS Melbourne HMAS Adelaide HMAS Sydney Would like crest of HMAS Canberra and image (supplied) (We can provide the Navy Crest with details, ship's crests and image of HMAS Canberra)	M	Q	78
Navy Crest, Navy themed  Electronics Technician. Ships : HMAS Adelaide HMAS Torrens HMAS Darwin HMAS Tobruk HMAS Success Shore postings HMAS Cerberus (Training Division) Melbourne Recruiting Fleet Support Unit West Fleet Support Unit Garden Island RAAF Base Laverton Passionate Formula 1 fan Lifelong supporter of the Richmond Tigers AFL Football Club, both of which are important parts of who he is. (We can provide the Navy and ship crests)	M	Q	81
Traditional/neo-traditional tattoo designs  HMAS YARRA (MHC 87) crest (We can provide the crest)	M	Q	83
RAN Crest with service details CSI-I Rate badge & Signalmen Badge Acknowledgement of my JR Division – ‘RAMSAY / STEVENSON 55th Intake’ (Intake colours were RAMSAY, Orange and Stevenson Black) Crests for HMAS Leeuwin (establishment not ship) HMAS Cerberus HMAS Newcastle HMAS Stuart (DE48) HMAS Yarra (DE45) HMAS Adelaide (FFG01) HMAS Stalwart (215) STS Young Endeavour AFL Sydney Swans emblem (We can supply the crest with service details, rate badges and other crests)	M	B	84
Interests are Bicycles, Aeroplanes Canoeing Orienteering. Likes bright greens.	M	Q	85
Essendon (AFL) Mighty Ducks Dachshund (sausage dogs).	M	B	86
Blink 182 American Rock Band	M	LB	86
Rising Sun Royal Engineers badge. Army themed in colours of Corp blue & red. (We can supply the Rising Sun and RAE badge)	M	Q	88
Rising Sun, Army theme, Australian Flag Royal Australian Ordnance Corps Blue colour (We can provide the Rising Sun and Corps badge)	M	Q	89
RAAF Crest with details Dogs- Jack Russell and other terriers Nature (We can provide the RAAF crest with details)	M	Q	90
RAAF Crest RAAF Roundel RAAF themed Worked very closely with the F/A-18 Super hornet, EA-18 Growler and for the last 4 years the F-35. Like flowers such as poppies, roses, lilies. Love blue/turquoise/teal colours (We can provide the RAAF crest and roundel)	F	Q	91
RAAF Crest P3 (favourite aircraft) P8 First CO of 1SSU Chief of Staff to Commander Space Command Several tours of Afghanistan and other areas of conflict. Currently in the US serving as the Liaison Officer to HQ US Space Command. Passions are: Rugby (specifically the All Blacks), P3 Orions, submarine hunting. Favourite colours are blue and green Loves NZ motifs Ocean Skiing Travel. (We can provide the RAAF Crest and 1SSU crest)	M	Q	92
Rising Sun Signals Corp badge Army themed (We can provide the Rising sun and Corp badge)	M	Q	94
Rising Sun Infantry & Supply Corp badge. Massive Star Wars fan Loves African Wild Dogs Favourite colours are blue and green (We can supply the Rising Sun and badges)	M	Q	95
RAAF crest Units: 35, 36, 37, 75 SQN Operations: Op Catalyst Op Slipper Op Samoa Assist Op Resolute Op Hawick Op Accordion Op Okra Op Highroad Op Atlas Op Covid Assist Op Flood Assist Op Wantaim (We can provide the RAAF crest, SQN crests and emb list of Operations)	M	B	97
RAAF Crest (3 roles held whilst in service - Military Working Dog Handler, Ground Support Equipment Mechanic and Personnel Capability Officer). Loves Lego (mainly castles) Magic The Gathering card game and Viking heritage. Has a project car, 1989 BMW E30 convertible which has strong sentimental value. Loves his beer too.	M	B	97
RAAF Crest Loadmaster Brevet WOFF Rank (RAAF), C-17A C-27J HMAS Canberra. (We can provide the RAAF Crest, Loadmaster Brevet, WOFF rank & Crest for HMAS Canberra)	M	Q	98
British flag at the top half Australian flag at the bottom half Large soldier silhouette in green Army camo  Border in the Army colour with an Army tank in each corner thank you. (Image of quilt can be provided for inspiration)	M	Q	99
Rising Sun RAAC badge Army themed including tanks (We can provide the Rising sun and Corp badge)	M	Q	100