Two members of HMAS Stalwart ship's company had the privilege of meeting Jan Maree Ball, CEO and founder of Aussie Hero Quilts, at the organisation’s headquarters during a recent port visit to Fleet Base East.

The visit offered a rare opportunity to witness the heart of an initiative that has supported deployed personnel for more than a decade.

The members were welcomed with a full tour of the headquarters, where volunteers were busy creating the vibrant quilts and laundry bags that Aussie Hero Quilts has become known for. 

Machines hummed, fabrics lay neatly stacked in every direction and the atmosphere carried the unmistakable energy of people working for a purpose greater than themselves. 

The members were able to meet many of the volunteers, hear their stories and understand their dedication to crafting personalised items designed to bring comfort to those deployed far from home.

Physical training instructor Petty Officer Matthew Rowe spoke proudly about the experience, emphasising its value for psychological wellbeing.

“Having members of the Australian public donate their time towards creating a personalised item is heart-warming,” Petty Officer Rowe said. 

“It is easy to underestimate how much impact a gesture like this has when you are months into a deployment.”

'It is a reminder that even when we are focused on the task at hand, there are people back home who are thinking of us.'

Command Warrant Officer Russell Kerney also highlighted the importance of community support for ship’s company. 

“We have been deployed on domestic operations for the past three months, and Aussie Hero Quilts donated more than 140 laundry bags at such short notice,” Warrant Officer Kerney said.

“It is a reminder that even when we are focused on the task at hand, there are people back home who are thinking of us.”

Since January 2012, Aussie Hero Quilts has produced thousands of quilts and laundry bags for serving members across the Navy, Army and Air Force. 

Each item is handmade, often customised with personal touches ranging from service emblems to hobbies and favourite colours. 

The mission remains simple yet powerful: that nobody who serves Australia feels unsupported or believes that their service is not valued, recognised or appreciated.

For Stalwart’s crew, the visit served as a meaningful connection to the public they serve, and a reminder that acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have a lasting impact on morale during demanding operations.