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:

An Australian Defence Force Member
Good Will Mail
Middle East
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890.

For Timor Leste:

An Australian Defence Force Member
Good Will Mail
Timor Leste
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890.

For the Solomon Islands:

An Australian Defence Force Member
Good Will Mail
Solomon Islands Operations
AFPO 62
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890.

Please check Australia Post prohibited items at  the Aus Post international post guide.

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).