[press release]
Australia marks 100 years since WWI
Australia Post is marking 100 years since the end of the Great War ahead of Remembrance Day with the release of five commemorative stamps in the series Centenary of WWI: 1918.
Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt said this is the final issue in a five-year program commemorating World War I, with each issue looking back 100 years on war efforts at home and abroad.
“In this issue, we used the image archive of the Australian War Memorial to focus on and highlight significant events and themes associated with the end of the war in 1918.”
Australian War Memorial Senior Historian Dr Aaron Pegram worked with Australia Post throughout the five-year program to help bring these stamps to life.
“We have tried to tell the story of Australia during World War 1 and the impact it had on Australian society. Australia Post’s five-year commemorative stamp program has been comprehensive. It has covered all theatres of fighting, the major campaigns fought by the Australian Imperial Force, and both the victories and losses during the war. This final issue looks at the momentous events of 1918, the Armistice signed on 11 November, and loss of around 60,000 Australians during more than four years of fighting,” Dr Pegram said.
The five domestic rate $1 stamps are:
Last 100 days: Represents the last months of hostilities on the Western Front and features Lieutenant Rupert Frederick Arding Downes MC addressing his platoon from B Company, 29th Battalion, during a rest before the advance onto Harbonnières.- Lieut
Gen. Sir John Monash: Depicts our most celebrated leader during the war. Monash was promoted to lieutenant general in May 1918, and made commander of the Australian Corps. The background image shows his knighthood ceremony. 
Armistice declared: Represents the Armistice signed on 11 November 1918. The image in the background reflects the spirited as citizens rejoiced at the news the war had finally come to an end.
Return home: Represents the families waiting for the arrival of their loved ones. It took more than a year to bring the last of the Australian troops home from the war.
Honouring the fallen: Pays homage to the lives lost on foreign soil and depicts the French children at Adelaide Cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux, who tended the graves of Australian soldiers who died in the surrounding area throughout the fighting of 1918.
The products available with this commemorative stamp issue include a minisheet, stamp pack, first day cover, maxicards, three postal numismatic covers, prestige booklet, prestige cover, medallion cover, medallion collection, and stamp medal.
The Centenary of WWI: 1918 stamp issue will be available from 2 October at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last. 
