Thank you on ANZAC Day.

Thank you to all the veterans, past and present serving. You are in our thoughts and we are grateful for your service and sacrifice. 

Thank you on ANZAC Day

 

As we rise in darkness on this ANZAC Day like those who have gone before

You are proudly serving us far from Australia’s shore.

You serve beside the Kiwis and others from foreign land

In baking heat, and biting cold, sticking mud and flying sand.

Whether serving in the desert or the AMAB, Iraq, or Dubai

Or our peacekeepers in South Sudan, Israel and The Sinai

Perhaps in Lebanon or the Solomons you are called to be,

Continuing a tradition of service to keep the world free

Or you might be on a mighty ocean in our ship of grey

Working hard to make sure drug lords have a lousy day,

We appreciate your sacrifice and that of those you have left behind.

Though you are far from home you are often brought to mind

You are our modern heroes who show us by example.

You mentor, fight and teach and that is just a sample

Of the efforts that you go to to make the world a better place.

You do the job with pride and honour, we see it in your face.

I am sorry you are not here this year to march along the street

But it is a special honour to march with foreign soil upon your feet

For you carry the tradition of those who lead the way

Who are the very reason that we commemorate this day.

Those of us back here will attend the service with the dawn

We will think of those who gave their lives in uniform proudly worn,

But we will also be so thankful for you who serve today

We will think of you and those you love

With thanks this ANZAC Day.

 

Jan-Maree Ball OAM

ANZAC Biscuits

Hi all, 

I have shared this recipe before but as today is ANZAC Day Eve and as I plan to spend some time baking ANZACs tomorrow, I thought I would share my recipe again. If you make them I hope you enjoy them!

ANZAC BISCUITS

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups plain flour

2 cups sugar

1 ½  cup coconut

200g butter

4 tabsp golden syrup

1 teasp bicarb soda

2 tabsp boiling water

1 egg

Preheat oven to 180 Celsius. 

Combine oats, flour, sugar and coconut.  

Combine butter and golden syrup, stir over gentle heat til melted (or zap in a microwave in in 30sec spurts).  

Mix the bicarb soda with boiling water, add to melted butter mixture.  

Be careful as it is likely to react and bubble over so best to do this over the bowl. 

Stir in dry ingredients with lightly beaten egg.  

Place rounded teaspoons of mix onto trays, allow room for spreading.  

Cook in 12-15 minutes or until firm around the edges.  

Loosen while warm, then cool on racks.

NOTE - this makes a big batch - around 72 biscuits - and I have a special large ANZAC Biscuits mixing bowl.    

Till next time...............keep spreading the word and happy baking!  JMxxx

Grati-Tuesday 23rd April 2024

 

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Please enjoy todays messages and photos, in this the week of remembering our veterans and those who did not return.

Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy some well deserved gratitude! 

Lest we Forget!

...

Jenny D,

I would like to personally thank you and the Garage girls team who have been working so hard to put these incredible quilts together. Yourself, the team, and Jan-Maree are such selfless individuals who are spreading joy amongst the service men and women overseas.

I can tell you personally that every time something arrives people are ecstatic and excited, this joy is contagious and we all huddle around to see the incredible intrinsic designs that you all come up with.

I really appreciate Bobby‘s contribution to the top of the quilt and the beautiful and creative radio towers that you made. Jean did a great job on the crests, the bindings and labels are perfect. This is an absolute family heirloom and I can tell you now with a baby on the way, bubba may snuggle up with our quilt, I assure you!

I have included a photo in front of the Wedgetail at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany for you to see. We are so glad to be home now and we really appreciate all the energy you and the team put in to getting these over to us.

...

Good Afternoon Jan-Maree,

Last Thursday at Dalton Craftees we had some special guests. Alison C and I (Margaret B) presented the recipient with his AHQ quilt (and LB). He had been in the Army for 26 years until 8 years ago so didn’t know he was able to have a quilt until Alison C met him.

He was blown away with the detail of his service being on the quilt along with flags of the areas he served. It was very moving and I think the other crafters were impressed with the whole thing.

A light lunch was served following the presentation – sausage rolls. cocktail sausages, fairy bread, Tim Tams , iced VOVos, Anzacs. Alison C did a great job, The fairy bread was a great success.

Cheers

Quilt by Alison C. Embroidery by Inge C

...

Morning Ms Shirley D,

Thank you very much for the Laundry bag, the octopus really is impressive. You really managed to nail my overall theme of nautical and diving. 

It arrived towards the end of March just in time before we deployed the 1st week of April, we’re a Sydney Bases Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC) Vessel on our way up to Darwin for the next few months.

Sounds like you’re having great success with your textile arts and quilts. Again thank you very much for the laundry bag

 Regards,

...

Hi Ellen N,

 

I’d just like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you for the time and effort you invested into making my Sydney Swans quilt (along with the other goodies)!

They arrived yesterday and I am over the moon about it. I particularly like the wavy lines representing the sea and scuba diving, it was a lovely touch. All of the Aussies over here are extremely grateful for the support.

 

Kindest Regards,

...

Dear Ruth S 

I’m touched beyond words by your generous gift of the hand made laundry bag. Thank you so much. I will cherish it forever.

To receive mail is so special while away from home but to unwrap something so unique and personalised, just for me, truly did brighten my day.

Thank you for the service you provide to brighten our deployment.

Regards

...

Good Afternoon Hilary T,

 I am currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy, I am from Far North Queensland – Torres Strait Islands  

I have received and will be using the laundry bag that you have made and I love the design of how you crafted this laundry bag and I appreciate and thank you for this laundry bag.

 Kind Regards,

...

Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  

Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Request List 22 April 2024

Hi All

Lots of new requests on the list this week, including lots for folk deployed to the South Sudan and some in the Solomon Islands.  Some of them have asked for flags which you can applique if you want a larger version or I can get them embroidered.

 

Here is the request list for this week. Happy hunting. I hope you can find something that tickles your fancy.

PRIORITY REQUESTS

The first 34 requests on the list this week are all for recipients serving overseas.

As always it would be lovely to get these quilts and bags underway and put some smiles on faces that are a long way from home! Don’t forget we can provide the crests and text embroideries that are being requested.

POST BY DATE

The post by date for all Requests on this list is 27 May 24 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 PMKEYS number given you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.  The PMKEYS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g.  the 7-digit number in bold below. 

CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432 

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 and PMKEYS 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

African themed - animal patterns and vegetation, RACT badge and Movements' wagon wheel, ADF and UNMISS logos, Australian and South Sudan national flags. (we can provide the RACT badges, Wagon Wheel & UN flag) South Sudan flag is easy to applique	F	B	1
Royal Blue, Tropical jungle, United Nations flag, United Nations Peacekeeper Helmet Logo, Africa (we can supply the UN flag and the helmet logo for applique)	M	B	2
Coastal /seaside/nautical theme. Royal Australian Navy Ensign (We can supply a small Navy Ensign)	F	LB	3
Green, safari Africa (with animals), Australian Peace Keeper and Royal Australian Navy crest and Navy themed. (We can provide the UN flag, the Peacekeeper logo for applique and RAN crest)	F	Q	4
Beach tropical theme, bright flowers. Aussie and Solomon Islands flag (we can supply a small Solomon Island flag)	F	Q	5
RAAF crest, Pink nursing theme (we can provide the crest)	F	LB	6
RAN Crest with 'OP Lilia 2024'. Solomon islands theme (blues, whites, greens, yellows, palm trees, flowers etc) Aussie flag and Solomon Islands flag (we can provide the crest with text)	F	Q	7
Navy Crest, Medic theme, fun colours (we can provide the crest)	F	LB	8
RAAF crest with "OP LILIA, Solomon Island 2024" as text  Doctor themed in darker colours. (we can provide the crest and text)	M	Q	9
RAAF crest, doctor theme (we can provide the crest)	M	LB	10
Diamond Dogs (name of one of Bowie's music albums)- David Bowie theme.	M	Q	11
Captain Morgan Emblem (Rum brand) with text "Lets set sail with Captain Morgan" (we can provide emblem with text)	M	LB	12
Rising Sun Crest, predominant. Soldier silhouette in black Navy Crest, Medical, Australian Flag. Poppies or field of. Darker colours (we can provide the crests and image of soldier silhouette for applique)	M	Q	13
Toyota Landcruiser troop carrier nudging a clothes line, Solomon Islands coat of arms, RACT Logo, Australia Flag, crocodile/Army truck themed, go bananas with the design. (we can provide the RACT logo and Solomon Island coat of arms as an image)	M	Q	14
RACT logo and transport themed (we can provide the logo)	M	LB	15
Rising Sun, RAEME flag, Australian flag, Solomon Islands flag, "RECOVERY" written centre top, Recovery Coin photo (we can provide the Rising Sun, RAEME flag and image of 'Recovery Coin')	M	B	16
Rising sun badge, RAE logo, horse and soldier silhouette, poppies, rosemary, pink and purple colours (we can provide the Rising Sun badge, RAE logo and image of horse/soldier silhouette to applique)	F	Q	17
RAE Badge. Army and engineer themed (we can provide the RAE badge)	F	LB	18
Rising Sun, soldier silhouette in black, RAR Skippy Badge, Poppies, Australian Flag, machine guns (we can provide the rising sun and RAR skippy badge as embroidery)	M	Q	19
RAR Skippy Badge, Army/Infantry themed (we can provide the badge)	M	LB	20
RAR Skippy Badge, Cross machine gun (Mag 58) and rocket launcher (84mm Carl Gustav), Australian Flag, machine guns, Army Green (we can provide the RAR badge)	M	Q	21
RAR Skippy Badge, Army/Infantry themed (we can provide the badge)	M	LB	22
RAR Skippy Badge, Cross machine gun (Mag 58) and rocket launcher (84mm Carl Gustav), Australian Flag, machine guns, Army Green (we can provide the RAR badge)	M	Q	23
RAR Skippy Badge, Army/Infantry themed (we can provide the badge)	M	LB	24
Rising Sun, soldier silhouette in black, RAR Skippy Badge, Poppies, Australian Flag and 8/6 RAR (we can provide the Rising sun and RAR skippy badge as embroidery)	M	Q	25
RAR Skippy Badge, Army/Infantry themed (we can provided the badge)	M	LB	26
Full black, white R.M.WILLAMS logo, white OP LILIA at the Bottom	M	Q	27
RAR Skippy Badge with text  "8/9 RAR DFSW" "OP LILIA", Cross machine gun (Mag 58) and rocket launcher (84mm Carl Gustav) (we can provide the badge with text as an embroidery)	M	Q	28
RAR Skippy Badge with text  "8/9 RAR"  "OP LILIA", Cross machine gun (Mag 58) Australian Flag, Solomon International Assistant Force patch logo (SIAF), AMCU camo background (we can provide the badge with text as an embroidery)	M	Q	29
RAR Skippy Badge, Army/Infantry themed (we can provide the badge)	M	LB	30
Rising Sun with "OP LILIA", Rank, Name and PMKeYS, RAR logo, 8/9 RAR logo - A mixed pattern quilt of machines guns and rocket launchers, the Australian flag, Solomon islands flag, Bundaberg rum logo on a multicam camouflage background (we can provide the Rising Sun with text and RAR logos as embroideries)	M	Q	31
African themed landscape and animals. Australian and South Sudan Flag. UN Logo, MAOC logo. AIROPS logo (we can provide the logos) South Sudan flag is easy to applique	M	B	32
African themed landscape and animals with Australia Flag and South Sudan Flag. UN logo. RACT badge logo. (we can provide the RACT badge, UN logo) South Sudan flag is easy to applique	M	B	33
Anything Metallica (band)	M	Q	34
Whiskeys of the World	M	LB	35
Sydney Roosters NRL Team	M	Q	36
Purple, Western Bulldogs	M	Q	37
Blue, Sydney Roosters	M	Q	38
Outdoor, Adventure	M	Q	39
4x4 Driving Theme	M	Q	40
Holden V8 Cars	M	Q	41
Submarines and Ice Hockey (we an send you some submarine fabric)	M	Q	42
RAN crest, RAN Marine Technician Rate Badge - Diesel, Rock climbing, Light blue, Nickname (we can provide the White ensign and MT-D badge and nick name)	M	Q	43
RAN crest, HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, MTD Badge,  Kraken, Sea Mines, Ocean, Western Star Trucks, Sydney Swans, Aquaman, King Neptune (we can provide the ships crest and MT-D badge)	M	B	44
Brisbane Broncos themed	M	Q	45
RAN White Ensign, HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, Australian Flag, South Australian Flag, Sextant, Nautical Compass (we can provide the White ensign, ships crest and flags)	M	Q	46
RAN White Ensign, HMAS Perth & HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crests, Nickname Killer whale &/or Emperor Penguin, Sonar, Ocean, Nickname 'Laz', Boxing/Muay Thai, Singapore artwork/culture, Pineapple (we can provide the White ensign, ships crests and nick name as text)	M	Q	47
Penrith Panthers theme in Black	M	Q	48
Western Style Cowboys theme in any colours	M	Q	49
Cycling, Swimming & Running. Blue & red are favourite colours.	M	Q	50
Something Climbing Related (carabiners, ropes, quickdraws) with surname (we can supply surname as text if required)	M	Q	51
Smiling shark, octopi and pineapple	M	Q	52
NRL Sharks theme	M	Q	53
Newcastle Knights	M	Q	54
Marine Technician Propeller / Disney Princesses (we can provide an image of the propeller)	M	Q	55
Sydney Roosters NRL Team / Chameleons	M	Q	56
USA NBA Basketball Team: Houston Rockets	M	Q	57
Bulldogs (NRL) OR Cars	M	Q	58
Surfing / Cycling / Diving (We can provide a dive helmet)	M	Q	59
Anything Diver related & Koala (We can provide a dive helmet)	M	Q	60
RAAF crest with text Australian outback country themed, ie. gum trees, aussie stockman, camping style (we can provide the crest with text)	M	Q	61
blackhawk, chinook, iroquois	F	Q	62
Blue/Grey - Halo (video game)	M	LB	63
Nissan GQ Patrols (4WD vehicle)	M	LB	64
Black/Purple - Black Panther	M	LB	65
Navy Blue - TV / televisions theme	M	LB	66
RAN crest Served 10 Jan 79 - 16 Jan 21 Nickname Text "The Silent Service" HMAS Otway, Ovens, Onslow, Oxley "O" class Merang and Dolphins HMAS Watson HMAS Kuttabul (We can provide the RAN and ships' crests)	M	Q	67
Rising Sun, RASIGs, Australian Army Apprentice School badge Served 12 Jan 88- 20 Jan UN Transitional Auth in Cambodia (UNTAC) Apr92-Mar93 (Meritorious Unit Citation) Op Catalyst Iraq 2004 (We can provide the badges and the posting details can be embroidered as a patch)	M	Q	68
Magpies, top hats, classic Hornet , 75SQN crest (75SQN themed) in black and white checkered squares with black border. some examples for 75SQN themed include magpies, top hats, and the classic hornet.  There are photos that can be provided for inspiration. (we can supply the 75 SQN crest)	F	Q	69
Brisbane Lions Theme	M	Q	70
Red Bull Ampol Racing Team (Supercars)	M	Q	71
Parramatta Eels/ NRL	M	Q	72
Arsenal FC/ Soccer	M	Q	73
Houston Rockets (USA Basketball Team)	M	B	74
Green/ deer/ forest/ blue	F	B	75
Geelong Cats (AFL) / Redcliffe Dolphins (NRL)	M	Q	76
Hawthorn (AFL)	M	Q	77
St. George Illawarra (NRL)	M	Q	78
Diver theme	M	Q	79
Italian Theme	M	Q	80
Black/Gold - HMAS Perth theme, Naval Gunnery Theme	M	LB	81
HMAS Gascoyne Ships Crest, RAN Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Crest, Kraken, Sea Mines, Ocean, Sextant,  Transformers G1 cartoon, English Bulldog (white coat with lots of brown patches and spots named Pickles) (we can provide the ship & MWCD crests)	M	B	82
Dolphins badge with surname - Space themed with planets, stars, galaxies & telescopes. (we can provide the embroidered dolphin badge and surname)	M	LB	83
Star Wars, the Mandalorian	M	LB	84
Spider man themed with Spiderman wearing dolphins.	M	LB	85
Submarine / Ocean	M	LB	86
Sunflowers with golden retrievers	F	LB	87
Submarine / Ocean	M	LB	88
Submarine / Ocean	M	LB	89
Submarine / Ocean	M	LB	90
Submarine/Ocean/Dolphins/Chess	M	LB	91
Pink Starfish/Katana (Japanese sword)/Red and white fox	M	LB	92
Chicken	M	LB	93
Australia themed (flag/animals etc)	M	LB	94
Wombats	M	LB	95
Navy, Soccer (Aston Villa), Submarines, In colours Claret and Blue		LB	96
Jolly Roger Pirate Flag	M	LB	97
Pirate Monkeys	M	LB	98
Submarine / Nautical	M	LB	99
Submarine / Nautical	M	LB	100
Submarine (Submariner Dolphins) / Jurassic Park Theme / Richmond Football Club Logo (we can provide the dolphins as an embroidery)	M	LB	101