Aussie quilters are the real heroes
Someone’s day just got better.
They have not only received some post from Australia but they have received a parcel from an unknown, deeply talented and caring person who makes quilts or laundry bags for Australian Service personnel deployed on operations.
Time and time again, deployed personnel are surprised and amazed when they receive an unexpected gift such as this.
Founder of Aussie Hero Quilts (and laundry bags), Jan-Maree Ball, began this little project back in 2011.
She said there were three main reasons for embarking on her mission.
“First, I felt the need to do something to give back to our Defence Force as I hated the way our Vietnam Veterans were treated, and that can never happen again,” she said.
“Secondly, I heard of a seriously wounded Aussie soldier given a quilt by the Americans in the German hospital he was being treated in and I felt ashamed that there was not an Aussie quilt for him.
“He now has one of ours and I have since met him and his wife and they have become good friends.
“They tell me that he uses his quilt all the time.
“Finally, I just felt that we, the Aussie public, needed a way to say thank you to our Defence members for their Service”.
Jan-Maree, a retired RAN and RAAF officer, recruited some merry men and women through her quilting network and by the end of December that year, it was obvious that there was enough support throughout the quilters’ network in Australia to turn this into an Australia-wide proposition.
“On 1 January 2012, I launched the dedicated blog www.aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au followed by the Facebook page” said Jan-Maree.
Aussie Hero Quilts (and laundry bags) has continued to grow steadily.
Incredibly, the 150-200 strong team of stitching fanatics have sent over 5000 quilts and 7400 laundry bags in under four years – that is three quilts and five laundry bags a day!!!
Jan-Maree said that these days, quilts and laundry bags were mailed in response to requests received from serving members or their loved ones.
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Hi Jan Maree
You have been recommended as a very interesting speaker and I am writing to enquire if you would be interested in being a guest speaker at the Hornsby Ladies Probus Club in 2017.
We are a group of 60 ladies who meet at the Magpie Waitara, 11-37 Alexandria Parade, Waitara on the first Tuesday of the month. The club is opposite Waitara station and parking is available on site.
You are welcome to join us for morning tea at 10:50 and then speak to us after that. The time allocated for the talk is from 11:00 to 12:00.
We would like to provide a small donation towards your travel expenses or a gift of wine, flowers or chocolates.
Kindly advise if you are able to speak at our meeting and what date is most convenient for you. The dates are listed below.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely
Twee Caley
0481384650
2017 Dates
4 July
1 August
5 September
3 October