Monsta_AU
...can I interest you in some vintage blades?
Staff member
Forum Administrator
Grand Society
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2011
- Location
- Guildford.nsw.au
Paste & Cut has a history of not being outwardly public in support of those serving out country overseas. We take a quiet pride and respect for those who have served in our defence forces, some never returning.
Today as we reflect on the sacrifices made by those in the past, I personally think of those currently overseas - the main deployments of Afgahnistan (1550), East Timor (650) and the Solomon Islands (140). The Solomons hold a special place in my heart as I was a part of a 3-week local assistance project at Kwailibesi, on the northern tip of Malaita Island.
One practical way that you can help those deployed is to send a care package to an anonymous soldier. It is a reminder of home and with helpful products which they can use or trade with other soldiers that they do not get in their rations or are available from their store. In Afghanistan especially there is great demand for hygiene products due to the harsh conditions. I send two packages each year, one at the end of November for Christmas, and one at the star of April for ANZAC Day.
To send a care package, you need to start with a 'BM' size postpack box from the post office which cost $2. You then fill it with as much as you can while keeping the weight under 2kg, which Australia Post then forwards for free. Make sure you put in a Self-addressed envelope so they can send you a letter back, or maybe an email address.
Ideas for care packages:
Listed in order of appreciation from my experience.
Shave Kit:
Hygiene
Food
Keep in mind the hot climates our troops work in. Anything that they can add to rations or eat on patrol is perfect. Do not send home-made products. Please do not send pork products. Anything liquid please place inside a ziplock bag in case of leakage.
Misc & entertainment
PROHIBITIONS:
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, cigarettes, pork, magazines with naked women.
SEND TO ADDRESSES:
Afghanistan
An Australian (Female) 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
East Timor
An Australian (Female) Soldier
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
Solomon Islands
An Australian (Female) 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
Today as we reflect on the sacrifices made by those in the past, I personally think of those currently overseas - the main deployments of Afgahnistan (1550), East Timor (650) and the Solomon Islands (140). The Solomons hold a special place in my heart as I was a part of a 3-week local assistance project at Kwailibesi, on the northern tip of Malaita Island.
One practical way that you can help those deployed is to send a care package to an anonymous soldier. It is a reminder of home and with helpful products which they can use or trade with other soldiers that they do not get in their rations or are available from their store. In Afghanistan especially there is great demand for hygiene products due to the harsh conditions. I send two packages each year, one at the end of November for Christmas, and one at the star of April for ANZAC Day.
To send a care package, you need to start with a 'BM' size postpack box from the post office which cost $2. You then fill it with as much as you can while keeping the weight under 2kg, which Australia Post then forwards for free. Make sure you put in a Self-addressed envelope so they can send you a letter back, or maybe an email address.
Ideas for care packages:
Listed in order of appreciation from my experience.
Shave Kit:
- Quality Disposable Razors as DE/SE/Straights are not permitted. Send decent disposables like Schick Extreme 3.
- Shave Cream / Soap (Non-Aerosol). Sticks and tubes are treated like gold. Arko, Speick, La Toja are all good choices. You could go a tube of Proraso too - the Eucalyptus scent is a great smell from home.
- A low-end brush (Cheap Omega? $3 Kent VS80 second from eBay?) to face lather along with instructions.
- A $2-$3 small stainless steel bowl - ideal for lathering or other hygiene tasks.
Hygiene
- Deodorant (non aerosol)
- Colognes (they complain they smell)
- Baby wipes (so handy - these are like currency)
- Soap (normal & travel size)
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Lip balm (chap sticks)
- Toothbrushes &/or Toothpaste
- Foot powder and Inner Soles
- Tissues (medium & travel size)
- Toilet paper (one roll in a box)
- Cotton buds
- Moisturiser (tube)
- Mouthwash (small)
- Socks (black & white)
- Talc
- If sending to a female soldier, the following are definitely appreciated!
- Feminine hygiene products
- Gel or hair spritz (non-aerosol)
- Hair ties
- Hairbrush (only send 1)
Food
Keep in mind the hot climates our troops work in. Anything that they can add to rations or eat on patrol is perfect. Do not send home-made products. Please do not send pork products. Anything liquid please place inside a ziplock bag in case of leakage.
- Dried fruit (Sunbeam Sultana or mixed fruits boxes)
- Hot drink sachets - cappachino, hot chocolate, chai.
- Individual small cereal boxes like the Kelloggs variety ones or the 2 Weetbix in a sealed bag. There's also the Oatmeal Sachets.
- Individual snack foods. Think Museli Bars, the cheese & crackers packs, even Tuna & crackers.
- Individual 2-Min Noodle packs. Ideally Indo-Mie with extra flavour sachets - include the sachets you don't use normally (save them up).
- Individual ring pull tuna cans or sachets. Chilli tuna is a favourite, but go for the ones like John West which have the whole chilli inside.
- Sweets. Don't go for chocolate as it melts. Think anything in the Allens, Starburst or Natural Confectionery Company ranges.
- Long life milk (individual 'coffee serve' packs)
- Microwave popcorn
- Microwave rice (Reject shop $2)
- Salt & pepper sachets - get them at Maccas!
- Powdered energy drinks
- Sauces & condiments like Tomato/BBQ sauce, sweet chilli, Tobasco mustard etc. You can get the single serve ones at Supermarkets.
- Spices - to go with lamb/goat for example, rosemary, garlic, thyme, Moroccan seasoning, Greek spices. Sachets are best.
- Sugar (individual sachets)
- Tea
- Nuts/trail mix. Think of things like Wasabi Peas, any of those nibbly things.
- Potato Crisps/Twisties (single serve packs can also be used as air packaging in spaces in the box)
Misc & entertainment
- Blank cards (for troops to send home)
- Card games & Playing cards (I have cancelled Las Vegas casino cards here in bulk, let me know if you want a few packs)
- Board games - travel size?
- Books
- Cheap Music CDs & Movie DVD's. Many will get enjoyment from these, not just the one soldier that recieves it. Please write on cover & disc in permanent marker “Aussie troops property” to avoid theft.
- Drawing/Writing paper (Pad?)
- Envelopes (10 pack?)
- Footballs/basketballs (and a pump)
- Magazines. Keep it PG rated please, ideal ones are Inside Sport, Mens Health/Style/Fitness, Motor/Wheels/Top Gear, Motorbikes, Technology. Remember soldiers will swap these and many people will read them.
- Pens & Pencils, other stationery
- Poker chips - ideally just the basic coloured plastic chips.
- Sport sections of newspapers
- Tennis balls
- Ziplock bags of various sizes
PROHIBITIONS:
- NO Alcohol to be sent to any troops
- DO NOT SEND CLOTHING except socks
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, cigarettes, pork, magazines with naked women.
SEND TO ADDRESSES:
Afghanistan
An Australian (Female) 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
East Timor
An Australian (Female) Soldier
East Timor Operations
AFPO 61
Australian Defence Force
SYDNEY NSW 2890
Solomon Islands
An Australian (Female) 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
