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Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
All the information you need... UPDATED OCTOBER 2012
SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS!
The parcel
• must be 2kg or under, and
• must be the size of a Bx2 Australia Post cardboard box or smaller,
• must not contain aerosols, batteries or other goods prohibited in the post,
• must be accompanied by a customs douane,
• must be posted by someone who has a photo identity (drivers licence).
Australia Post carries the parcel free as long as it is under 2kg in weight and under the size of the Bx2 box from anywhere in Australia to the AFPO in Sydney.
If you have several magazines you can send them bundled together for free, wrapped or packaged, clearly addressed, with douane etc, as long as the bundle is under 2kg.
The Post Office is aware of the parcel arrangement with the Department of Defence.
ADDRESSES:
Suggestions for care package contents for service troops in combat zones
Send a letter with an email address and/or a self addressed envelope, no stamp required, so the troops can reply.
Ask about their living conditions and if they have fridge or microwave available to them then it is easier to know which food items to send, but do not worry if they do not use something troops have been giving it to the chaplain or another unit to pass out to others that might need it.
NO HOMEMADE Food items unless you know the soldier as they get thrown away.
If sending liquid or food products, place them in a snap lock bag in case of leakage
Food
DO NOT SEND CLOTHING except socks
What not to send:
Aside from and in addition to any items prohibited by Australia Post and the destination country, the following are prohibited to be sent to AFPO13 Operation Slipper:
The mailing addresses in this post are still correct.
The parcel
• must be 2kg or under, and
• must be the size of a Bx2 Australia Post cardboard box or smaller,
• must not contain aerosols, batteries or other goods prohibited in the post,
• must be accompanied by a customs douane,
• must be posted by someone who has a photo identity (drivers licence).
Australia Post carries the parcel free as long as it is under 2kg in weight and under the size of the Bx2 box from anywhere in Australia to the AFPO in Sydney.
If you have several magazines you can send them bundled together for free, wrapped or packaged, clearly addressed, with douane etc, as long as the bundle is under 2kg.
The Post Office is aware of the parcel arrangement with the Department of Defence.
ADDRESSES:
PARCELS/LETTERSWHAT TO SEND? WHAT NOT TO SEND!
Sending to Afghanistan
An Australian Soldier
Op Slipper
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
for the dog handler and his helpmate
An Australian EDD Handler
Op Slipper
AFPO 13
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
Sending to East Timor
An Australian Soldier
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
Sending to the Solomon Islands
An Australian Soldier
Solomon Island Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
POSTCARDS ONLY
Messages to the Troops
R1-5-A056
Russell Offices
Department of Defence
FAX & EMAIL
fax: (02) 6265 1099
fax from outside Aus: +61 2 6265 1099
email: messagestothetroops*at*defence.gov.au
Suggestions for care package contents for service troops in combat zones
Send a letter with an email address and/or a self addressed envelope, no stamp required, so the troops can reply.
Ask about their living conditions and if they have fridge or microwave available to them then it is easier to know which food items to send, but do not worry if they do not use something troops have been giving it to the chaplain or another unit to pass out to others that might need it.
NO HOMEMADE Food items unless you know the soldier as they get thrown away.
If sending liquid or food products, place them in a snap lock bag in case of leakage
Food
dried fruitHygiene
drinking choc (individual sachets)
easy mac
individual small cereal boxes
individual ring pull tuna cans or sachets
lollies
long life milk (small packs)
microwave popcorn
microwave rice (reject shop $2)
oatmeal (individual sachets)
pepper (individual sachets)
powdered energy drinks
salt (individual sachets)
sauces & condiments like mustard etc (individual sachets are good, ask Macca’s if you can have some and why...)
spices - to go with lamb/goat for example, rosemary, garlic, thyme, greek spices
sugar (individual sachets)
tabasco sauce
tea
trail mix
twisties (can also be used as packing in spaces in the box)
wasabi peas
NO PORK AT ALL TO BE SENT
aftershave (they complain they smell)Misc & entertainment
air fresher (non aerosol sprays & the cardboard card ones)
baby wipes (bulk & travel size)
cotton buds
deodorant (non aerosol)
foot powder
hair conditioner
hair shampoo
inner soles
lip balm (chap sticks)
moisturiser
mouthwash
razors (NOT the real cheap ones like Bic! Personally I use Schick and I’d only send those, we don’t want them cutting/slashing themselves to shreds!)
shaving cream (non aerosol)
soap (normal & travel size)
socks (black & white)
talc
tissues (medium & travel size)
toilet paper (one roll in a box)
toothbrushes (sometimes)
toothpaste
if female troops then add the following
female hygiene products
gel or hair spray (non aerosol)
hair ties
hairbrush (only send 1)
blank cards (for troops to send home)NO Alcohol to be sent to any troops
board games
board games (some marines have a wonderful photo of them playing twister)
book (try not to send romance novels)
cheap dvds please write on cover & disc in permanent marker “Aussie troops property” to avoid theft
drawing paper
envelope
footballs/basketballs (and a pump)
magazines (nothing rude)
music CDs (Please write on cover & disc in permanent marker “Aussie troops property” to avoid theft)
other sporting goods
pen/pencils
playing cards
poker chips
sport sections of newspapers
tennis balls (if you have tennis courts nearby you can buy second hand balls cheap – I got some from the University tennis courts $1 each, Slazenger and other brands)
writing Paper
DO NOT SEND CLOTHING except socks
What not to send:
Aside from and in addition to any items prohibited by Australia Post and the destination country, the following are prohibited to be sent to AFPO13 Operation Slipper:
aerosolsUPDATE:
alcohol
cigarettes
clothing other than socks
pork
magazines with naked women
any religious materials
The mailing addresses in this post are still correct.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Pssst... Did you miss the Christmas mailout?
I suspect you could use the every day mailout address for Australian soldiers/sailors/airmen and pop them in the mail on Monday and I'm sure they'd go with the rest to Aussie military members who are overseas.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Friday, December 9, 2011
2011 CHRISTMAS MAILING - COMMENCES 7 NOVEMBER - DEADLINE IS 9 DECEMBER
Received information from the Department of Defence regarding the Christmas Mail deadline.
I understand that the Christmas Mail is held and distributed to the members on Christmas Day.
Aside from the regular goodies to send (see here for "What to Send?", NOTE: don't use the addresses at this link for Christmas Mail!), we have had feedback that Ausralian lollies like Minties are really appreciated, snack foods like tinned flavoured fish (the small tins), biscuits, especially Tim Tams, are like gold. A book or magazine is also appreciated. Good coffee sachets and flavoured coffee sachets are appreciated, and packs of different types of tea (English Breakfast, Russian Caravan, Earl Grey, Oolong, Peppermint, etc), and flavoured tea (rose hip, raspberry, peach, etc), are liked by some, too. Sand Scarves are appreciated, too. Please see below for instructions if you're handy with a needle!
Please note, the addresses below will only be active for the Christmas Mailout from November 7 to December 9, 2011.
All the parcel regulations that apply to the other day mailings apply to the Christmas Mail.
The format of the address is as follows:
For the Middle East:
The following items are prohibited to all destinations due to safety and customs issues:
aerosols
cigarettes
clothing other than socks
The following items are prohibited to Middle East destinations:
alcohol
pork
magazines with naked women
any religious materials
Sand Scarves and how to make a sand scarf!We have heard a bit about sand scarves, these are appreciated by the soldiers as they protect from dust and dirt. If you are handy with your sewing machine you may be able to whip a couple of these up and send them in a parcel, they can be used for barter, too! Here's a link. Please note that with the sand scarves, the sandy taupe/fawn/tan/sage green (very pale grey-green) coloured ones would be the best for the Middle East and possibly greens for the Timor and Solomons. (These can be used like old sweat rags were.) Here is the pattern information from Soldier's Angels. Please pay attention to the instructions on the fabric to use, it MUST be 100% cotton, do not use any synthetic blends.
Thanks so much for visiting and thanks for your support. We're still around, just leading busy lives!
If you have any questions, corrections, or I've missed anything please let me know!
Update: All you need to know about what to send is here: http://oceanskykhaki.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-information-you-need.html, please note that the addresses at this link are not the Christmas addresses.
UPDATE: Some info and images from Soldiers' Angels site which include sand scarves. http://soldiersangels.org/scarves.html
UPDATE II:
The boxes are now sold as Bx2 (not BM size).
I understand that the Christmas Mail is held and distributed to the members on Christmas Day.
Aside from the regular goodies to send (see here for "What to Send?", NOTE: don't use the addresses at this link for Christmas Mail!), we have had feedback that Ausralian lollies like Minties are really appreciated, snack foods like tinned flavoured fish (the small tins), biscuits, especially Tim Tams, are like gold. A book or magazine is also appreciated. Good coffee sachets and flavoured coffee sachets are appreciated, and packs of different types of tea (English Breakfast, Russian Caravan, Earl Grey, Oolong, Peppermint, etc), and flavoured tea (rose hip, raspberry, peach, etc), are liked by some, too. Sand Scarves are appreciated, too. Please see below for instructions if you're handy with a needle!
Please note, the addresses below will only be active for the Christmas Mailout from November 7 to December 9, 2011.
All the parcel regulations that apply to the other day mailings apply to the Christmas Mail.
The format of the address is as follows:
For the Middle East:
An Australian Defence Force MemberFor Timor Leste:
Good Will Mail
Middle East
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890.
An Australian Defence Force MemberFor the Solomon Islands:
Good Will Mail
Timor Leste
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890.
An Australian Defence Force MemberPlease check Australia Post prohibited items at the Aus Post international post guide.
Good Will Mail
Solomon Islands Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890.
The following items are prohibited to all destinations due to safety and customs issues:
aerosols
cigarettes
clothing other than socks
The following items are prohibited to Middle East destinations:
alcohol
pork
magazines with naked women
any religious materials
Sand Scarves and how to make a sand scarf!We have heard a bit about sand scarves, these are appreciated by the soldiers as they protect from dust and dirt. If you are handy with your sewing machine you may be able to whip a couple of these up and send them in a parcel, they can be used for barter, too! Here's a link. Please note that with the sand scarves, the sandy taupe/fawn/tan/sage green (very pale grey-green) coloured ones would be the best for the Middle East and possibly greens for the Timor and Solomons. (These can be used like old sweat rags were.) Here is the pattern information from Soldier's Angels. Please pay attention to the instructions on the fabric to use, it MUST be 100% cotton, do not use any synthetic blends.
Thanks so much for visiting and thanks for your support. We're still around, just leading busy lives!
If you have any questions, corrections, or I've missed anything please let me know!
Update: All you need to know about what to send is here: http://oceanskykhaki.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-information-you-need.html, please note that the addresses at this link are not the Christmas addresses.
UPDATE: Some info and images from Soldiers' Angels site which include sand scarves. http://soldiersangels.org/scarves.html
UPDATE II:
The boxes are now sold as Bx2 (not BM size).
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Merry Christmas to one and all - from the British Navy!
If that doesn't raise a smile nothing will!
Don't forget the Christmas Mail deadline is December 9, Friday this week!
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