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‘COVERED BY HISTORY’ The Service Quilt This quilt was designed and constructed by the veterans and wives of the Vietnam Veterans Federation Quilting Group of South Australia, it was completed in December 2004. The quilt is meant to be representative of all veterans in all conflicts, since the start of World War One to the present time, in which Australia has participated. It was decided during the design phase that unique ships, units or actions would not be represented. To select one detracts from the endeavors of all. The only exception to this rule was the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, (AATTV) which has the distinction of being the unit with the most time spent in combat operations in our history with a total of over 11 continuous years in action and the award of four Victoria Crosses amongst its multitude of decorations. The quilt in its layout intends to show respect to our fallen comrades with the bugler in the centre panel sounding the last post or perhaps reveille surrounded by memorial crosses and Flanders poppies to remember those who did not return. Outside the centre panel arc four triangles whose colours are designed to represent desert, jungle, ocean and sky. On these panels all the common animals unique to Australia can be found appliquéd on to the quilt. The ships and aircraft from WW1, WW2 and later were selected as being representative of their era, i.e. G for George RAAF WW2. The designs for the army are representative of both the fighting arms and services with the services being represented by transport and catering. The border of the quilt at the top displays the badges that distinguish the branches of the Australian Defense Forces and the AATTV, On the bottom of the quilt are the service ribbons for all campaigns up to this time. This quilt was constructed using cotton material selected for its vibrancy or relativity to Australian flora. All badges were hand embroidered using silk embroidery thread. Various quilting techniques were used including both pieced and appliquéd blocks, embroidery, stippling and both machine and hand sewing. All symbols were downloaded from the internet enlarged and then appliquéd. Design and construction of this quilt took over six hundred hours. This quilt was made for the Department of Veterans Affairs in South Australia and is intended for display and enjoyment of both DVA staff and visiting veterans. It is intended for this quilt to finally rest in the National War Memorial.
Copyright © 2005-2010 Vietnam Veterans' Federation
South Australian Branch Inc.
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