[press release]
Australia Post pays tribute to marriage equality

Two years after Australia legally recognised same-sex marriage Australia Post is releasing two commemorative stamps to mark the historic legislation.

On 7 December 2017, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 passed Parliament and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.

The legislation followed a voluntary postal vote with 61.6 per cent voting “Yes” to the question, “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?”.

Australia Post Executive General Manager Gary Starr said the stamp release recognises a significant moment in our nation’s history.

“With thousands of Australian same-sex couples having tied the knot since the law came into effect on 9 December 2017, the stamp release recognises a change that has impacted many Australians.”

Designed by Sharon Rodziewicz of Australia Post Design Studio the two $1 domestic base rate stamps feature:

$1 Love is Love
This design features the rainbow, long a symbol of same-sex unity, and the catchcry “Love is Love”, which was used by proponents of same-sex marriage during the postal vote campaign.

$1 Yes
David Brine and Nick Higgins celebrate the postal vote result announcement on 15 November 2017 in Sydney and on the same day, Rebecca Davies and Paula Van Bruggen celebrate the result at the State Library, Melbourne.

Products associated with this issue include first day cover, stamp pack, and a maxicard set. The commemorative stamp issue Celebrating Marriage Equality in Australia is available from 1 October 2019 at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.

[press release]
Stamping out extinction with seed banking

Australia Post is celebrating flora conservation through seed banking, with three striking domestic base-rate stamps featuring rare and at risk species.

Seed banking is well established globally as an essential insurance policy against extinction. It involves not only collection and storage of seed, but also provides a source of quality seed to aid species recovery, restoration of depleted plant communities and habitats, and for scientific research.

Australia’s several major seed banks are associated with state, territory and council-run botanic gardens that collect and conserve wild native flora.

Damian Wrigley, National Coordinator of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership, says: “Seed collection and storage are fundamental to the survival of many native flora species. We are thrilled that Australia Post is supporting flora conservation through this stamp issue.”

Speaking about the stamp release, Australia Post’s Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said it would help bring awareness to this issue.

“We’re so pleased we can represent the vital work of Australia’s seed banks in helping maintain species health and diversity across the country. Through macro-photography, the stamps offer a glimpse into the beauty of seeds – something not usually visible to the naked eye,” he said.

The stamps depict some type, regional and habitat diversity, as well as the various means by which plants have evolved to spread their seeds. They show:

• Rytidosperma clelandii, also known as Cleland’s Wallaby-Grass, is a tufted perennial grass that is highly localised, growing only in the wetter parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges, in South Australia. Its short bristly hairs suggest it is transported in the fur and feathers of wildlife. This seed image was captured by Dan Duval, South Australian Seed Conservation Centre.
• Epacris petrophila, or Snow Heath, is a near-threated species that grows in the Australian Alps and in restricted high-altitude areas in Victoria and Tasmania. Its microscopic seeds suggest dispersal by wind or water, mixed with grain or soil, or in mud stuck to the feet of birds frequenting the same boggy habitat. This seed image was captured by Brook Clinton, National Seed Bank.
• Petrophile latericola is listed as endangered and occurs naturally only in areas south-east of Busselton on Western Australia’s southern Swan Coastal Plain. Its shuttlecock-like seeds suggest they are dispersed by the wind. This seed image was captured by Andrew Crawford, Western Australian Seed Centre, Kensington.

The Seed Banking Australia stamp issue was designed by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio. It comprises three $1 stamps, a stamp pack, first day cover, maxicard set, three booklets of ten $1 stamps and a booklet collection.

The stamps and products are available at participating Post Offices, via mail order phone 1800 331 794, and online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 8 October 2019 while stocks last.

[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.

[press release]
Our beautiful cities once again catch the eye

Australia Post is celebrating two of our beautiful cities, releasing two International Post stamps featuring Sydney and Perth. The stamp issue is the second in a series featuring Australian cities, with the first issue in 2018 featuring Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

Based on a number of indices, including political and economic stability, environmental integrity and access to public transport and recreation, our major cities are regularly named among the world’s most liveable.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said Australians are justifiably proud of our cities.

“Not only are they great places in which to live, they are situated on beautiful scenic waterways, and feature so much that makes them loved by so many,” he said.

Sydney was established in 1788 on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. With more than five million residents, today Sydney is the most populous of our state capitals. The stamp shows the famous Sydney Opera House, situated on Bennelong Point on the spectacular Sydney Harbour.

The largest state by area, Western Australia occupies approximately a third of the continent. Its capital city Perth, located on the beautiful Swan River and bounded by the Indian Ocean, was established in 1829 on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people. With around 2.3 million people, Perth is the fourth largest city in Australia. The stamp shows Elizabeth Quay, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee.

The stamps, designed by Jason Watts of the Australia Post Design Studio, feature recent photographs of the two cities.

Other products associated with this issue include a stamp presentation pack, first day cover, maxicards, postcards and a self-adhesive sheetlet of five $3.20 (Sydney) stamps.

The Beautiful Cities 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.

[press release]
Australia Post pays tribute to one giant leap for mankindIssue date: July 16, 2019

Fifty years since the first manned Moon landing, Australia Post is releasing a commemorative stamp issue to mark one of the 20th century’s defining moments. On 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong famously took some of the biggest steps for mankind, and with it, etched himself and the occasion into world history.

Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said the stamp release celebrates the magnitude of the occasion but also Australia’s small but significant part in it.

“The stamps celebrate the historical Apollo 11 mission through a global and local lens, to appeal to history buffs, the general public and collectors alike. It notes the role Australia played in telecasting the historic event to television sets over the world.”

Designed by Gary Domoney of Visua, a Melbourne-based visual communication and brand strategy agency, the four $1 domestic base rate stamps feature:

$1 Lunar module Eagle: The Apollo 11 mission comprised three spacecraft: the command module Columbia, a service module, and the lunar module Eagle. The Eagle was used for descent to the lunar surface and served as a base while the astronauts were on the Moon.

$1 Parkes radio telescope, NSW: With a diameter of 64 metres the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope located in central-west New South Wales is one of the largest single-dish telescopes in the southern hemisphere dedicated to astronomy. Officially opened in 1961, it was one of two Australian stations to receive the signal from the Apollo 11 spacecraft when the Moon was hidden from Earthís Northern Hemisphere.

$1 First Moon walk: Around seven hours after landing on the Moon, Armstrong prepared to plant the first human foot on another world. With around 600 million people watching on television, he climbed down the ladder and proclaimed: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

$1 Telecast via Honeysuckle Creek, ACT: The first nine minutes of the telecast, including the moments when Armstrong first set foot on the Moon, were transmitted from NASAís Honeysuckle Creek tracking station, near Canberra. The 26 metre dish opened in 1967 for the purpose of supporting the Apollo program.

Products associated with this issue include first day cover, stamp pack, maxicard set, booklet collection, medallion cover, and four booklets of 10 x $1 self-adhesive stamps.

The 50-year anniversary Moon landing commemorative stamp issue is available from 16 July at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps [direct link to this issue], while stocks last.

[press release]
Australia Post celebrates principle of equal pay

Australia Post is releasing a commemorative stamp to celebrate 50 years of the principle of equal pay for equal work in Australia.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Executive General Manager People and Culture Sue Davies said over the past two years Australia Post was proud to be one of the few large Australian organisations to have achieved gender pay parity.

“It’s important that people continue to have conversations about gender pay parity and we hope our commemorative stamp raises awareness amongst the Australian public of how, collectively, we can achieve this important goal,” said Ms Davies.

In 1969 the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) brought a case to the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (CCAC) against the Meat and Allied Trades Federation (and others) arguing for “equal pay for equal work”. The ruling included the important principle that when women were engaged in the same work as men in traditional male roles they were entitled to equal remuneration.

While the principle of equal pay for equal work has now been around for 50 years, women are still fighting for equal pay for work of equal value. In 2019 a significant gender pay gap still exists at 14.1 per cent.

The commemorative stamp designed by the Australia Post Design Studio features the slogan current at the time, “Equal Pay for Equal Work”, with a photograph of demonstrators in front of Trades Hall, Carlton, Victoria in 1969.

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

The Equal Pay commemorative stamp issue is available from 18 June at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.

[press release]
Major sporting venues celebrated on stamps

Issue date: 4 June

In the first of a two-part series, Australia Post is celebrating some of Australia’s most loved and recognisable sporting venues, each with a special place in the lives of many Australians.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said it was an opportunity to recognise the importance of sport as a big part of Australian popular culture.

“These popular venues play a role in shaping a city’s identity. We’re thrilled to shine a light on these iconic venues, with stamps to be enjoyed by sport lovers and collectors alike.”
The four domestic base-rate ($1) stamps, designed by Andrew Hogg Design, feature:

$1 AAMI Park, Victoria
The award-winning AAMI Park was welcomed to Melbourne & Olympic Parks’ precinct in May 2010, giving Victoria its first world-class pitch for elite-level rugby league, rugby union and football codes. The 30,050-seat stadium is defined by its distinctive bio-frame design, the roof of which provides covered seating for most of a capacity crowd enjoying the spectacle on the 136 x 82 metre playing field below.

$1 Optus Stadium, WA
Optus Stadium was opened in Perth in January 2018, and in its first 12 months of operation attracted more than two million fans. The 60,000-seat stadium can host AFL, rugby union, rugby league, football and cricket, as well as large entertainment events. From fence to fence the pitch covers 177 x 141 metres, with 165 x 130 metres for the AFL field of play.

$1 Sydney Cricket Ground, NSW
Located on the edge of the CBD, the Sydney Cricket Ground has a long and venerable history dating back to the mid-19th century. It hosted its first game of cricket in 1854, and has been home to major cricket matches since 1876. With a capacity of 48,000, in addition to hosting cricket in its various formats, it also regularly hosts AFL, rugby league and union, and football.

$1 Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria
Melbourne Cricket Ground, or the MCG or ’G, as it is fondly known, is considered by many to be one of the premium stadia of the world. Built in 1853, it was the main venue for the first Olympic Games held in the Southern Hemisphere in 1956, a centrepiece for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and host to two cricket World Cups, in 1992 and 2015. Primarily a ground for AFL and cricket, with a capacity exceeding 100,000, it sits fondly in the heart of many Victorians and Australians alike.

Products associated with this issue include first day cover, stamp pack, medallion cover, booklet collection pack, maxicard set and four booklets of 10 x $1 self-adhesive stamps.
The stamp 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 4 June 2019 while stocks last.

[press release] Issue Date May 7th
Commemorative stamps feature our flightless birds

Australia Post is set to commemorate our flightless birds — from the very big to the very small.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said: “Australia’s distinctive flightless birds have become iconic symbols both here and overseas. Each beautifully presented stamp showcases the unique features of each bird, and is sure to appeal to bird lovers, the general public and collectors.”

The smallest of all the penguin species, the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the only penguin to breed in mainland Australia and Tasmania, and is a contrast to our largest birds, the Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius).

The two domestic base-rate ($1) stamps and international ($2.30) stamp were designed by Sharon Rodziewicz of the Australia Post Design Studio and feature:

$1 Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) The Emu, which is common throughout much of inland Australia, can reach up to two metres in height and is the second tallest bird in the world, after the Ostrich. The female Emu’s clutch of around eight to 10 dark-green eggs is incubated by the male, who doesn’t eat or drink for the eight weeks until they hatch. He also cares for and protects the striped grey and brown-black chicks for 18 months, until they can fend for themselves.

$1 Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) The only cassowary species found in Australia is the Southern Cassowary, distinguished by its vivid blue face and neck, long drooping red wattles hanging from the throat, and tall horn-like brown helmet or casque. The Southern Cassowary is found in tropical far north Queensland, and like the Emu, the male incubates the blue-green eggs.

$2.30 Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) The Little Penguin or Fairy Penguin, which reaches about 33 centimetres in height, is found around the coast of southern Australia. Spending most of its time foraging at sea, it returns just after dusk to rocky burrows near the beach.

Products associated with this issue include a first day cover, stamp pack, and maxicard. The stamp 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 7 May 2019 while stocks last.

[press release]   Issue Date: May 14th
Australia Post abuzz with native bee stamps Some of Australia’s native bees are set to appear on a striking commemorative stamp issue to be released by Australia Post this May.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said it was an opportunity to learn about the diversity of Australia’s native bees.

“We have a great diversity of native bees and they play an important role as pollinators of native flora. These beautiful stamps remind us of how integral the often solitary native bee is, and they’ll be of interest to nature lovers and collectors alike.”

The four domestic base-rate ($1) stamps feature artwork from renowned Australian wildlife illustrator Kevin Stead and include:

$1 Resin Bee (Megachile macleayi)
The Resin Bee, from the family Megachilidae, builds its nest in narrow holes in timber, constructing the nest and sealing the entrance with gums and resins it collects from leaves and plants. This solitary bee, which is found across northern Australia, prefers nectar from legume flowers.

$1 Green and Gold Nomia Bee (Lipotriches australica)
From the family Halictidae and found throughout eastern Australia, the solitary Green and Gold Nomia Bee nests in the ground. After looking for mates and foraging for nectar during the day, clusters of numerous male bees spend the night clinging or “roosting” together on tree twigs or grass stems.

$1 Wasp-mimic Bee (Hyleoides concinna)
The solitary Wasp-mimic Bee from the family Colletidae can most frequently be seen feeding from eucalypt flowers in eastern Australia from southern Queensland to Tasmania. It convincingly disguises itself as a black and orange wasp in order to fool and deter predators.

$1 Neon Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus nitidulus)
The striking, bright metallic blue Neon Cuckoo Bee from the family Apidae is so named because it opportunistically lays its eggs on the pollen balls inside the ground nests of the Blue-banded Bee (Amegilla cingulata). This solitary cleptoparasitic bee, which has no need to collect pollen from flowers, is found across eastern and northern Australia.

Products associated with this issue include first day cover; stamp pack, medallion cover, booklet collection and booklet of 10 x 4 $1 self-adhesive.

The stamp 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 14 May 2019 while stocks last.

[press release]
Australia Post Celebrates Indigenous Languages

Australia Post is marking the International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019 with a commemorative stamp celebrating the more than 250 indigenous languages in our nation’s history.

The United Nations suggests that around 40 per cent of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the world are in danger of disappearing. The United Nations General Assembly declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL 2019) to raise awareness of the crucial role languages play in people’s lives, cultural identity and wellbeing.

In the Australian context, IYIL 2019 is an opportunity to shine a light on the important work being done to preserve and promote Australia’s Indigenous languages by communities and organisations around the country. This includes the more than 20 Indigenous language centres funded by the Commonwealth Department of Communications and the Arts.

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) CEO and member of the IYIL 2019 steering committee Craig Ritchie said: “This year presents a great opportunity to have a national discussion about the role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures play in shaping the nation and informing our identity.”

“More than 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages were spoken at the time of European settlement in 1788. Today only 13 of these languages are acquired as first language by the youngest generation – a crucial element for language maintenance.”

Designed by Sharon Rodziewicz of the Australia Post Design Studio, the domestic base-rate ($1) stamp features the official United Nations logo for the International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019.

The map featured on the sheetlet pack represents the regions associated with the hundreds of Indigenous language variations, both current and historical, recorded in the Australian Indigenous languages database developed and maintained by AIATSIS.

Products associated with this issue include a first day cover, sheetlet pack, maxicard, postal numismatic cover, and sheetlet of 10 x $1.

The stamp 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 30 April 2019 while stocks last.