2012 Christmas Mailing deadline 7 December 2012

Here are the details about the 2012 Christmas Mailing. Please note the information about sending food to the Detection Dogs.

 of Defence site, link here.

Please note that there are special addresses for Christmas Mail so that they know it is Christmas Mail!

Christmas Mail will be able to be sent from 22 October 2012 until 7 December 2012.

Here is a cut and paste from the link:

A number of community-based organisations and community members have expressed a wish to send care packages to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel serving on overseas operations on Christmas Day. In response to this generosity, the ADF has established special mailing addresses. These will operate from 22 October 2012 until 7 December 2012.

If you would like to support our service men and women, you are able to send parcels through Australia Post provided they meet the following guidelines:

• for postal security reasons, you will need to present a photographic identification;
• you can post parcels weighing up to a cubed weight of two kilograms in a ‘BX2’-sized Australia Post carton free of charge;
• if your parcel exceeds this limit, you will need to pay the full cost;
• articles must be packed in durable packaging, which is suitably secured, to withstand a large volume of weight and handling;
• postal addresses will be active from 22 October 2012 until 7 December 2012 and packages will be distributed throughout the operational areas;
• care package items most appreciated include uniquely Australian treats such as Tim Tams, lollies, magazines, books and DVDs. (Please note that any food stuffs should be non perishable in nature and sealed in commercial packaging.); and
• some items must not be sent including cigarettes, alcohol, perfumery products and pornography.

Care Packages for Military Dogs and Explosive Detection Dogs

 

The Australian public have expressed their support not only for our ADF members, but also their four-legged partners.

 

Unfortunately, care packages for explosive detection dogs and military dogs, containing items such as toys and food cannot be used by the dogs. The dogs cannot play with the toys, as their tennis ball toy is a key part of their training and the food can’t be used due to the dogs’ strict diets.

Defence would like to thank the public for their generous and kind support for our explosive detection dogs and military dogs and ask that you consider making a donation to your local animal welfare shelter on behalf our dogs.

For more information about Christmas Care Packages including postage and restrictions.

Please address your parcel to one of the following:

Middle East

An Australian Defence Member

Goodwill Mail

AFPO 60

Middle East Operations

Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

East Timor

An Australian Defence Member

Goodwill Mail

AFPO 61

East Timor Operations

Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Solomon Islands

An Australian Defence Member

Goodwill Mail

AFPO 62

Solomon Islands Operations

Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Helpful links and notes:

What to Send/What not to Send, please note above in blue, no food to be sent to K9s. Food is anything that they can eat. No toys or balls for the dogs, as this interferes with their training. The Department of Defence has requested that donations be made to your local animal shelter in lieu of sending things for the dogs.
Department of Defence site, link here.

Where are they?

Here is a link to the Department of Defence site which informs the location of Australian military members who are deployed around the world.

Lest We Forget

I'll be thinking of you today. Stay safe.

Update:

Feedback: A thank You from Afghanistan, Adopt a Soldier

I received a Thank You email today from a person in Afghanistan. He said that they share out the goodies they get in their parcels, the recipient gets first dibs and they share things around.

Winter has been especially cold this year in Afghanistan and though Christmas parcels from home arrived late they've been very much appreciated.

As far as Adopt A Soldier, it's been suggested that anyone interested in adopting a soldier who may not have support from home, or who needs a boost from home, address a letter to The Chaplain and you may find The Chaplain will be able to help.

Wherever You Are - Military Wives Choir (UK)

Official video.


Live at The Albert Hall.

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:

PARCELS/LETTERS
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

WHAT TO SEND? WHAT NOT TO SEND!

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 fruit
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

Hygiene

aftershave (they complain they smell)
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)

Misc & entertainment

blank cards (for troops to send home)
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

NO Alcohol to be sent to any troops
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:

aerosols
alcohol
cigarettes
clothing other than socks
pork
magazines with naked women
any religious materials

UPDATE:
The mailing addresses in this post are still correct.

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!