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Thank you for your service quilt
THE BIRTH OF THE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE QUILT
The Thank you for Your Service Quilt project has become a huge part of RSL NSW Auxiliaries, it’s our way of showing our appreciation to Service Members, who have given exceptional support to RSL NSW & RSL NSW Auxiliaries. In saying that, we have made the odd exception and awarded quilts to non Service Members who have also given exceptional support. Many people will not know how this project came about, yes it was Pauline’s idea but to be honest it came about by accident.
Back in 2018 when Sydney was getting ready to host the Invictus Games, you will remember Pauline came up with the idea to have quilts for each country competing, laundry bags for every competitor and yellow poppies for all the supporters. 18 countries participated in the games, but we also awarded quilts to some of the organisers, we actually needed about 30, from our amazing members and support from Auxiliaries in other states we received over 80 quilts, what do we do with the surplus?
At the following Congress our guest speaker was former Commando Mick Bainbridge , anyone who was there will remember there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
For those of you who don’t know of Mick, his story is amazing, ABC featured Mick on Australian Story, you can watch it by clicking here When The War Is Over - ABC News, Mick’s speech was the light bulb moment for Pauline and Mick was awarded the very first Thank You For Your Service Quilt.
At that time neither of us realised how big the Thank You For Your Service Quilt program would become.
Obviously the quilts we had couldn’t last for ever so we began sourcing materials, yes it was originally Paulines idea but we couldn’t do what we do without the help of our fantastic sewers now the project goes on.
We are very grateful to every member who has contributed to the project and we are delighted to see some Auxiliaries now establishing their own projects, it’s a wonderful way of saying Thank You.
Congratulations to the lates recipients'
We received this lovely letter from Dick
Richard Wills
20th July 2023
Mr Ray James OAM JP GAICD President RSL NSW Mrs Pauline James OAM RSL NSW Auxiliaries State Coordinator Email rjames@rslnsw.org.au; Auxiliaries@rslnsw.org.au Dear Ray and Pauline, I write to apologise for not being able to attend your presentation on the 4th July 2023, of the thank you certificate, and quilt that Pauline and the auxiliary team had made for me. Unfortunately, as mentioned to Ray by telephone, I had tested positive to COVID that same morning.
From the photos of Ray and Ballina RSL sub-Branch President Tony Tartaro displaying the quilt, my first impression was “Wow” that is beautiful. Then the realisation of the significance, the kindness, and thoughts, most importantly the time and efforts of the Auxiliaries team to produce such a wonderfully crafted quilt. Tony intends to present me with the certificate and quilt at the next sub-Branch meeting on 23rd August. I will send you photos afterwards, also for Reveille and local publicity. As I write this letter, both Colleen and I are again isolating due to a rebound of COVID. In between isolations, Colleen and I have been able to see the quilt, we are both in awe of this beautiful quilt, the crafting and artistic reflections of the Air Force theme. I struggle to understand, why me? All I ever ask for my efforts, is a simple thank you. Your thoughts, your friendship and now this presentation is far beyond any thank you I ever expected. Thank you, Pauline, and the RSL Auxiliaries team, the quilt is magnificent. Thank you, Ray, and RSL NSW for the recognition of my service, for me, my service is a privilege, for being able to give some time and effort for our members. Yours thankfully R. (Dick)
We were delighted recently to receive the following email from Geoff Irvine of The Lions Club of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook,
“I have been referred to you by Martin Clark of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney regarding a WW1 memorial artwork donation.
I’m a member of The Lions Club of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook, which is in its 59th Year of continuous of community service.
For your information, our club has been commemorating the Spirit of Anzac since our founding in April 1964. We believe we are the only, or one of the only service clubs in Australia that specifically dedicates one of its Dinner Meetings to the remembrance and sacrifice of Anzac . For this year's dinner on the 24th April, we received a donation of a beautifully hand-made Wall Hanging dedicated to the memory of the ALH in WW1.
Our Club believed, at the time, that this artwork could be auctioned or raffled to raise some funds for Legacy to benefit a needy veteran. However, there were indications that there wasn’t sufficient interest at that time.
The Donor, my good wife, Marie, who was the creator, architect and maker of this Wall Hanging ( see photos below) as a tribute and in loving memory of her late Grandfather, Corporal Les Cameron who served in WW1 in the Middle East, mostly with the 11th & 12th Light Horse. Les served the war effort for 3 years and 323 days.
One of his most important actions was on the 31st October 1917 when his Unit was part of the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force's attack and capture of the Yildirim Army Group garrison at Beersheba, which he fortunately survived, although 67 of our troops died and 36 were wounded. This was the last great cavalry charge in military history. By all reports, Les was an exceptional horseman & was proud to serve his country.
Perhaps you may be in contact or know of, one of your RSL Sub Branch's or Auxiliaries who would be interested to receive this donation and either exhibit it or raise some funds for Legacy etc.
If this can happen it would achieve our Club’s original intentions. If the Hanging ends up being placed in either someone's home or in a public space, it should or could create interest in an important aspect of Australia’s WW1 war history.
If you know of any RSL organisation who would be interested in accepting this donation that would be great. I look forward to your contact in due course..”
It was wonderful when Geoff came into Anzac House and presented the wall hanging to Jeff O’Brien, we are very grateful to him, The Lions Club of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook and of course Marie Irvine for her beautiful work
