Stockings for Soldiers - 1

'Stockings for Soldiers' held its annual stuff-a-thon last weekend at Victoria Barracks (1840), just up the hill from me in Paddington. It is a glorious army camp and worth a guided-tour most Thursdays from 10am. But ensure you book as, understandably, security is tight! This was the third year for the 'Stockings for Soldiers' project, which began over a cup of coffee. It is a volunteer-run community group, mostly composed of the family of serving members of the Australian defence forces. The aim is to give some Aussie cheer on Christmas day, and to show the deployed uniformed defence men and women our pride and solidarity in what THEY do, and to wish them a safe and happy Christmas. This year 3,000 hampers were packed to be sent as far afield as Afghanistan, the Middle East, East Timor, The Solomon Islands, The Sudan, and Egypt. The project is expanding to include not only army, but also airforce, and naval personnel deployed anywhere across the globe. It is also being expanded to include deployed personnel from the New Zealand forces. In 2013 the aim is to stuff 4,000 stockings! The indefatigable convenors are Selena and Michelle, in the lead photograph. More details tomorrow: where do the goodies come from: who makes the stockings; you send stockings to dogs!!? Together with contact information.