Author: Chris Cooper

A Collaborative Sewing Project with Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags)

                  This project was not only academic; it was deeply personal. As a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) veteran, collaborating with Jan-Maree Ball OAM and everyone at Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) on this initiative was an honour and a privilege. I recognised this organisation’s significant impact on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) community. The heart of this organisation lies in its people—the volunteers who dedicate countless hours to crafting these quilts and laundry bags, the recipients who cherish them, and the broader Defence community that understands their importance. The impact these quilts and laundry bags have on the ADF community cannot be overstated. For someone receiving an AHQ quilt or laundry bag, it represents more than just fabric; it is a piece of home and a reminder that someone cares. The website states, “Our quilts are not works of art, but works of the heart.” This sentiment was echoed multiple times during the volunteer weekend in Canberra, which I was fortunate to attend.

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) crew members onboard HMAS Adelaide with their quilts and Laundry Bags. Image courtesy of Jan-Maree Ball, OAM https://aussieheroquilts.org.au

                  I created an online site to facilitate charity auctions and fundraising efforts in Canberra, but unfortunately, connection issues prevented its use. However, in true military fashion, we adapted and overcame the issues, reverting to the original method and successfully raising funds for this fantastic charity. This adaptability and resilience are a testament to the spirit of AHQ and the community it represents.

               There was a creative transformation regarding the final project at the volunteer event, alongside the technical challenges. Initially designed as an interactive history and fundraising website, the project shifted due to privacy concerns, evolving into a more ethical and adaptable design. We are now integrating dynamic visualisations using Google Looker Studio into the existing website, featuring stunning maps and visuals highlighting where the quilts and laundry bags have travelled and the number of lives they have touched. Bringing this story to life requires technical learning and a deep emotional investment. Utilising tools like Python and Excel, the data is cleaned, sorted, and merged into a master dataset. This process was not just about crunching numbers; it was an act of preservation, piecing together the scale and reach of the charity’s work to demonstrate its profound impact.

Australian Army personnel with their quilts and Laundry Bags. Image courtesy of Jan-Maree Ball, OAM https://aussieheroquilts.org.au

                  The AHQ project is not just about preserving history and inspiring the future. It showcases the intersection of public history, emotional storytelling, and technology to create something lasting and meaningful. It stands as a testament to the power of connection—between communities, generations, and even across continents. This project ensures that the story of AHQ will continue to warm hearts, just like the quilts themselves. Through innovation, dedication, and adaptability, ready to inspire anyone who believes that small acts of kindness can ripple into something extraordinary.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel with their quilts and Laundry Bags. Image courtesy of Jan-Maree Ball, OAM https://aussieheroquilts.org.au

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags): Sewing Threads of History and Connection

         In 2011, Jan-Maree Ball, a former officer in the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force, ignited a drive to ensure Australia’s service members deployed overseas would feel the support of their country. The idea arose after learning that an Australian soldier in a German hospital had received a quilt from an American volunteer. Moved by the notion that Australian Defence Force (ADF) members should experience such gestures from their own country, Jan-Maree began what would grow into a national project dedicated to sending personalised quilts and laundry bags to ADF members far from home. Initially a small, personal effort, Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags), quickly gathered momentum as quilters across Australia rallied to the cause. By 2015, over 10,000 quilts had been crafted and sent, each personalised to reflect the recipient’s name, unit, or interests—a lasting reminder that they were remembered. Jan-Maree’s commitment was recognised when she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), and despite a devastating fire that destroyed her home and the project’s headquarters in 2016, the community’s support ensured that the initiative continued without pause. To date, thousands of quilts and laundry bags have been sent to Australian Defence Force personnel across the globe, reflecting both Jan-Maree’s vision and the generosity of countless volunteers.

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) crew members with their quilts. Courtesy of Jan-Maree Ball, OAM https://aussieheroquilts.org.au

         More than just providing physical items, the sewing project has created deep connections between the volunteers and recipients. Many of those who craft these quilts and bags are veterans or have family members in the military, and for them, quilting offers a way to channel their feelings into something tangible. The care taken in selecting fabrics, designing patterns, and stitching each quilt and bag is an act of personal connection, with the final product representing far more than just a practical gift. For recipients, receiving a quilt or bag becomes a profound emotional moment. The personalised touch reminds them that, even in distant and challenging locations, they are not forgotten by those at home. Some recipients have described receiving their quilt or bag as a turning point, offering comfort during dark times. One recipient shared how the quilt helped him through a difficult period, while a Vietnam veteran reconnected with an old friend through the insignia sewn into his own. Such stories reveal how these items are imbued with personal meaning and can rekindle memories, provide strength, and maintain a connection with home.

         The broader impact of the project lies in the community it has created. Volunteers from diverse backgrounds, united by a common cause, have formed a tightly woven support network. This spirit of connection and purpose transcends geographical boundaries and social divides, fostering a national sense of care and solidarity. As the project moves into its second decade, it provides physical comfort and an enduring link between ADF members and the Australian public. Each lovingly crafted quilt and bag serves as a reminder that no matter where they are, these recipients are part of a broader community that values and supports them. The threads that tie these quilts and bags together also weave a deeper network of care, resilience, and remembrance as strong as the fabric itself.