The presentation of the quilt was made at the Medowie RSL sub-Branch on Saturday 7 September by Andre and Susanne Stegeman from Quilts of Valour Australia (QOVA).

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QOVA was formed in Victoria in 2012 after Helen Comport learned how touched an injured soldier returning from Afghanistan was by the warmth of the quilt he was gifted by American quilters.

Helen was inspired to establish an Australian organisation, and there are now co-ordinators and representatives in every Australian State and Territory for the charity, making and gifting quilts to serving and former Defence personnel suffering injuries as a result of their service.

Keith Bailey enlisted in the Navy in 1967 as a “boy sailor” and discharged in 2003, totalling an impressive 36-year career.

Initially he trained as an electrical mechanic and was stationed on HMAS Sydney in Vietnam.

Keith also served on the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, and destroyer escorts HMAS Derwent and HMAS Torrens.

He completed his Officers course in England in 1981-1982.

He spent three years as Deputy Fleet Weapons Engineer, followed by his final post at HMAS Perth as Commander, Weapons Electrical Engineer, retiring with the rank of Commander in 2003.

Amongst some memorable highlights from his career include as a Lieutenant Commander, being the Guard

Commander for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s royal visit to Australia in Sydney in 1992, and a particularly long return trip from Perth to China aboard HMAS Sydney.

Since his retirement, Keith has been an active member of the Toukley RSL sub-Branch as Vice President and also the Medowie RSL sub-Branch as Secretary.

By Simon EKINS