[press release]
Australia Post remembers rare class of meteorite

Australia Post is releasing a commemorative stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of one of the world’s most scientifically acclaimed meteorites, the Murchison meteorite.

Arriving just two months after the first Moon landing, the Murchison meteorite was declared “as exciting as moon dust”. The meteorite shower fell around the small town of Murchison, some 160 kilometres north of Melbourne in Victoria, on Sunday, 28 September 1969.

Commenting on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said the stamp was one for science fans, history buffs, and collectors alike.

“The Murchison meteorite retained many chemical properties from the time of its formation some 4.56 billion years ago and may even be a fragment of a comet. It has been extensively studied due to its rarity and the large amount of material recovered.”

The commemorative stamp, designed by Tim Hancock of the Backpack Creative studio, features a graphic representation of the meteor falling to Earth in the vicinity of the town of Murchison.

The hexagons suggest the structure of the amino acids that were found in the meteorite.

Other products associated with this issue include sheetlet of 10 x $1 stamps, first day cover and maxicard.

The Murchison Meteorite commemorative stamp issue is available now at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.