The Frontline Heroes stamp issue has topped the 2021 Stamp Poll, perhaps as a reflection of the community’s respect for the important role frontline workers have played throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The theme of helping others is also central to the second-placed issue, RSPCA: 150 Years of Caring and Protecting. The natural world and heritage themes are also well-represented in the Top 10 stamp issues, which are listed below.
Respondents completing the online poll were asked to rank (at least) their “top 5” stamp issues and their least favourite issue, though almost 70 per cent of respondents didn’t have a least favourite issue. The bulk of respondents were from Australia (93 per cent), with others coming from a wide variety of countries across Europe and Asia, particularly India. Most voters were aged between 50 and 70-plus, but there was also significant representation by those aged 40 to 49.
1) Frontline Heroes
In early 2021, we released a stamp issue to honour those who have worked tirelessly during the Covid-19 pandemic, and this clearly resonated with stamp collectors and the general public. The stamp designs, illustrated by Robert Elliott, feature a selection of these “frontline heroes”: healthcare workers, paramedics and aged care workers, ADF and police personnel, postal and delivery workers, teachers and supermarket staff.
2) RSPCA: 150 Years of Caring and Protecting
This stamp issue commemorates 150 years since the first society for the care and protection of animals was set up in Australia. The stamps, by Andrew Hogg Design, represent five key aspects of the RSPCA’s mission and practice. The designs also showcase the breadth of the RSPCA’s important work across companion animals, livestock, animals in sport, recreation and industry, and wildlife.
3) Holden: Australian Icon
This stamp issue, featuring car illustrations by The Render Garage, looks back at some of the iconic car models that made Holden a household name, including the first car wholly manufactured in Australia, the 1948 Holden 48-215, which became known as the “FX”. Holden may not longer be a car manufacturer, but the public’s love for this car brand clearly lives on.
4) The Queen’s 95th Birthday 2021
The stamp issue to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s 95th birthday features the Queen visiting the new headquarter of the Royal Philatelic Society, London, as well as the Queen with her heirs: Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and Prince George of Cambridge. Stamp design is by Keith Downes.
5) [tied] Australia’s Volcanic Past
Although there are no active volcanoes on the Australian continent, over the last 40 million years much of eastern Australia has been subject to episodic volcanic activity, the most recent being around 5,000 years ago. Australia’s Volcanic Past, designed by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio, features three extinct volcanoes on the Australian mainland and one now comprising Lord Howe Island. Read our interview with volcanologist Honorary Associate Professor Heather Handley.
5) [tied] Wattle Wonders
Acacias (wattles) are widely distributed throughout all Australian states and territories, as trees and shrubs. While the flowers of most wattle are yellow (from pale yellow through to intensely golden), there are some exceptions, including the three colourful and aptly named examples presented in this stamp issue, designed by Keith Downes.
6) Doves and Pigeons
The late William T Cooper AO is world-renowned for his beautiful illustrations of birds. The six-placed stamp issue features Cooper's delightful depictions of four Australian dove and pigeon species: the Topknot Pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus), Superb Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus superbus), White-headed Pigeon (Columba leucomela) and Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta).
7) 100 Years of Ginger Meggs
The cheeky, red-headed and quintessentially Australian character Ginger Meggs turned 100 in 2021 and is clearly still popular with stamp poll participants. The stamps, designed by Jason Watts of the Australia Post Design Studio, showcases the work of three of the five cartoonists who have illustrated this much-loved comic strip character, who is still in print in newspapers around the world. Read our interview with current creator, Jason Chatfield.
8) Royal Air Force Centenary
We released a stamp issue in early 2021 to mark a century of service to Australia by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which traces its history back to the Australian Flying Corps, which commenced flying operations in 1914. The stamps in this issue, illustrated by Jamie and Leanne Tufrey, present early and modern RAAF aircraft.
9) Lest We Forget
The Lest We Forget stamp issue, designed by Janet Boschen and released in the lead-up to Anzac Day 2021, presents commemorative wreaths, together with poignant excerpts from Anzac-inspired poetry by AB “Banjo” Paterson (“We’re all Australians now”) and JHM Abbott (“The Soul of Australia”). The poppy wreath featured was laid by Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester in 1934.
10) Ramsar Wetlands
In 2021, it was 50 years since Australia became one of the five co-founding nations of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. This international stamp issue, designed by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio, presents four beautiful and diverse wetlands from across Australia. Read our interview with Jenny Tomkins about the importance of wetlands to human and environmental health.
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This content was produced during February 2022 and will not be updated.
