[press release]
Anzac Day stamps reflect on peace in 1919

Australia Post is commemorating Anzac Day this year by focusing on the theme of peace in 1919 – the year in which official World War I peace treaties were signed and celebrations, such as Peace Day, occurred throughout the British Empire.

[Wikipedia defines Anzac Day as a day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand for veterans, held on April 25th each year.]

Commenting on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said the beautifully designed stamps depict covers from two historical souvenir programs from 1919 Anzac Day events.

“The programs highlight the focus on peace in Anzac Day commemorations that year, both at home and abroad, and will be of special significance to history buffs, collectors, and the general public alike.”

Designed by Lynette Traynor, Manager of the Australia Post Design Studio, the domestic base-rate ($1) stamp and international ($3) stamp feature:

Anzac Memorial Day 1919 souvenir program ($1) published by the Victorian Branch of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors League for Anzac Memorial Day, 1919. The cover artwork by Melbourne firm Goldsworthy and Davey features a figure based on the Roman Goddess of Peace and incorporates both the dark skies of war and the sunny skies of peace.

The program’s introduction refers to Australia’s fight for the “sacred cause of liberty” at Anzac Cove in 1915 as well as the need to assist those who have returned from war and their dependants.

Anzac Day 1919 souvenir program, Australian Depots, France ($3) was produced for a 1919 Anzac Day event for members of allied forces at a depot in Rouelles, France. The cover image portrays the gratitude of the French people for the valiant efforts of Australians during World War I.

The artwork is by artist John C Goodchild (1898–1980) who served as a stretcher bearer in the Royal Australian Medical Corps in World War I and was an official Australian war artist during World War II.

Other products associated with this issue include a first day cover, stamp pack, maxicards, minisheet, postal numismatic cover, medallion cover, prestige cover, and booklets of 20 x $1 and $3 self-adhesive stamps.

The stamps and associated products are available at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, from Tuesday 16 April 2019, while stocks last.

[press release]
Stamps focus on fishing for a sustainable futureCoinciding with Sustainable Seafood Week 2019 (11-17 March) Australia Post is releasing three striking stamps featuring sustainable fish species on Thursday.

Australia rates highly internationally when it comes to commercial fishing practices, and was the first country in the world to receive independent certification of one of its fisheries from the Marine Stewardship Council.

Professor of Marine System Management at the University of Tasmania Keith Sainsbury, who consulted with Australia Post on the stamps, said: “Sustainable fishing requires keeping fishing to a level that allows it to continue indefinitely, maintaining the integrity of ecosystems, and utilising non-destructive, wild-capture fishing techniques. Encouraging these practices on a global scale is critical to maintaining adequate fish levels and minimising harm to the natural environment.”

The stamps are designed by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio, using illustrations by Dr Lindsay Marshall, a natural history artist and PhD in shark morphology and fisheries science. The domestic base-rate ($1) stamps feature three sustainable Australian fish species, along with the relevant commercial fishing technique used to minimise environmental impacts.

Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) is a large and slender deep-water species. Commercial Patagonian Toothfish fisheries are located in the Southern Ocean and the Ross Sea. Fisheries have developed practices and devices to minimise seabird interactions with longlines, including the use of a bird exclusion device. The device forms a physical and visual barrier around the area where line hauling occurs, preventing seabirds from accessing baited hooks.

Blue Grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae) , also known as Hoki, is a bottom-dwelling deep-water fish found in temperate marine waters off New Zealand and Australia. Commercial Blue Grenadier fisheries are located in south-east and southern Australia and off the west coast of Tasmania. Special Seal Excluder Devices (SEDs) are used in fishing nets to help seals swim out nets if they are accidentally caught.

Tiger Flathead (Platycephalus richardsoni) is found from northern New South Wales to western Victoria, including Tasmanian waters. The commercial Tiger Flathead fisheries are located in south-eastern Australia and the Great Australian Bight, and use differently sized mesh in different parts of the fishing net to help non-target or undersized fish to escape.

Products associated with this issue include a first day cover, stamp pack, set of maxicards, minisheet and a booklet of 10 x $1 self-adhesive stamps. The stamps and associated products are available at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, from Thursday 14 March 2019 while stocks last.

[press release]
Children’s authors honoured in this year’s Australia Post Legends Awards

Five of Australia’s exceptional storytellers for young people will be honoured in Australia Post’s 2019 Legends Awards, which celebrates their significant contribution to Australian children’s literature.

The 2019 legends — Mem Fox AM, Morris Gleitzman, Leigh Hobbs, Alison Lester and Shaun Tan — will each have their portrait featured on new postage stamps which will form part of the 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue.

Australia Post Executive General Manager Community & Consumer, Nicole Sheffield, said these outstanding individuals have been recognised for their part in shaping the social and cultural life of Australia.

“This year’s recipients are celebrated authors who create impactful stories that children and adolescents love and remember,” Ms Sheffield said.

“I really cherished reading stories to my children when they were small, and now enjoy seeing them explore new perspectives and ideas with books as they’ve gotten older.

“These authors hold a very special place in the bookshelves of many Australian families, and we’re excited to celebrate their achievements with this new stamp release,” said Ms Sheffield.

Now in its 23rd year, the Australia Post Legends Award celebrates living Australians who have made a unique contribution to the nation through their field of endeavour, inspiring the community and influencing the way Australians think about themselves and the community.

Past recipients include Sir Donald Bradman, Dame Joan Sutherland, Barry Humphries, Sir Gustav Nossal, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Cate Blanchett, Stephanie Alexander, Rod Laver and Bert Newton. A complete list of recipients can be found at auspost.com.au/legends.

The 2019 Australia Post Legends will be honoured at official Australia Day Council events hosted in Melbourne and Sydney, with the first luncheon taking place in Melbourne today. Each Legend will be presented at the luncheon with a 24-carat-gold replica of the stamp on which they are represented.

The 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue comprises of five $1 stamps, a first day cover, stamp pack, maxicard set, five booklets of ten $1 stamps, and a booklet collection pack.

The stamps and associated products are available at participating Post Offices, via mail order phone 1800 331 794, and online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 17 January 2019 while stocks last.

[press release]
Australia Post celebrates the Year of the Pig
Issue Date: 8 January

To celebrate the Year of the Pig 2019, Australia Post is releasing two commemorative Lunar New Year stamps – the 12th and final stamp to complete the current Lunar New Year 12-design series.

With the edition featuring the Chinese calligraphic character for the Pig in the $3 stamp and its pictorial representation with floral inlay in the $1 stamp, Australia Post designer Dani Poon said the stamps give everyone the opportunity to send wishes of good fortune to family and friends, both here and overseas.

“The Pig minisheet design shows that in ancient times a Chinese family home only seemed complete when it included a pig, because the Pig’s plump appearance was seen as a symbol of happiness and plenty. We can see this in the fact that the Chinese calligraphic character for “family” incorporates characters for ‘roof’ and ‘pig’”.

Those born under the Pig sign are known to be kind, patient and empathetic, making them suited to a career as a teacher, doctor, vet or social worker. The Pig’s lucky flower is marigold; lucky colours are yellow, grey, brown and gold; and lucky numbers and 2, 5 and 8.

Famous people born in the Year of the Pig include Alfred Hitchcock, Julie Andrews, Hillary Clinton, Lisa McCune, Dannii Minogue and Adam Gilchrist.

A highlight of the stamp issue is the zodiac sheetlet, which completes the Lunar New Year series. In this issue, the zodiac stamps feature graphic illustrations of each Chinese Zodiac animal with an equivalent Australian animal according to Chinese legends and Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. Australia Post is also releasing a special joint sheetlet pack with China Post. Other products associated with this stamp issue include a first day cover, stamp pack, silk minisheet pack, postcards, international and domestic postage-paid envelopes, Happy New Year postal numismatic cover, Dragon postal numismatic cover, medallion cover, prestige booklet featuring stamps from the zodiac sheetlet, and a Lotus sheetlet pack.

The Lunar New Year: Year of the Pig 2019 commemorative stamp issue is available from 8 January at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.

As announced by Australia Post: