To honour their service, seven Australian veterans received hand-made quilts on July 17 as a gift of comfort for themselves and their families to cherish.
The morning consisted of a warm and welcoming morning tea as veterans and their families mingled and caught up with one another.
It was then followed by a special ceremony by Quilts of Valour Australia (QOVA) Co-ordinators Queensland Bill and Barbara Kenny sharing some emotional words alongside awarding a quilt to each veteran.
QOVA Founder Helen Comport was inspired to start this Australian organisation in 2012, following the tragic loss of Defence personnel in the Afghanistan helicopter crash in 2010.
Helen’s son was one of the survivors who was then awarded a quilt from the American Quilters, and she wanted to share that same joy her boy felt with other veterans in Australia.
“You can give a guy a string of medals, but you give him one of these, it means a hell of a lot more,” Veteran Phill Crampton said.
“The quilt is a comfort, and it gives you the love and recognition of the person who served – it feels like you’re wrapped in a quilt of love,” Phill’s wife Lynne Crampton said.
Bill and Barbara have been associated with awarding quilts to Australian Service personnel, veterans and their families since 2014 and continue to love its effect on people.
“These quilts have been made by Australians for Australians – seeing the impact of them, sometimes it changes their lives,” Bill said.
“It’s promoted healing in families – we meet some wonderful people, and we see the impact it has on veterans, younger or older,” Barbara said.
Janice Heit, whose husband was a Vietnam veteran, was the first woman in Queensland to receive a quilt.
She has been associated with QOVA for various years and continues to admire the work they do.
“Having a quilt is amazing. I’ve got goosebumps just thinking about it – Barbara was a good help to me,” Janice said.
“This lovely lady has been such a support. I’ve known her a long time and she does lots of things for people and no one knows about it – she’s a good person,” Barbara said.
