Hello Collectors
Welcome to this edition of the Australian Stamp Bulletin, in which we present the first of the new stamp issues of the introduced base rate of postage. We also include a reminder of the coin program to be released mid-April for collectors and sporting enthusiasts.
In 1998, New South Wales became the first state to proclaim a marine emblem with the Eastern Blue Groper. The Marine Emblems stamp issue postmarked 26 March 2024 and on-sale from 28 March 2024*, presents the state emblems for South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. The Leafy Seadragon was adopted as South Australia’s marine emblem in 2001, and the Barrier Reef Anemonefish was officially named as Queensland’s aquatic emblem in 2005. Three medallion covers have been released as part of the product range.
A Special Occasions stamp issue in April provides a range of contemporary designs for use with social mail and everyday use. This stamp issue includes a Happy Birthday postal and
numismatic cover, and a first-time release of a Happy Birthday stamp and coin card. This product is ideal as a birthday gift for any age.
Anzac Day 2024: Picturing War provides a pictorial snapshot of times of human conflict via the photographer’s lens. Since World War I, Australia has commissioned not only official artists but also photographers to document the story of Australians during wartime. Photographic portraits of three of our official war photographers (Herbert Baldwin, Damien Parer, and George Silk) are shown on the stamp designs of this issue while the products show examples of their work.
This year marks an Australian aviation milestone as we look to the skies with the release of Around Australia Flights 100 Years in May and celebrate the first of these flights that took place in 1924. The feats of Australia’s intrepid early aviators pushed the boundaries of flight and helped galvanise national pride and identity. The two designs are presented as se-tenant on the stamp sheet with a design in the gutter. Continuing a skywards theme in June and using artwork by three First Nations artists is Sky Country – The Seven Sisters. This stamp issue depicts the story and perspectives of women from three lands: Martu Country in the Great Sandy Desert (May Chapman), Ngaanyatjarra Lands in the Great Victoria Desert (Angilyiya Mitchell) and the Anungu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the north-west of South Australia (Nyunmiti Burton).
Two of Australia’s external territories celebrate significant anniversaries with Christmas Island Airport 50 Years and Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 40th Anniversary of Self-Determination stamp issues, while Norfolk Island Fishing draws attention to a relaxing pastime for locals and visitors.
The final stamp issue in June announces the runup to this year’s major sporting event with Path to Paris: Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. A single stamp design brings together Australia’s participation in this world-class event. The Paris Summer Olympics will run from 26 July to 11 August 2024 with over 10,500 athletes competing at 41 venues.
* Covers the 30 day period of notification seeking approval of an increase to the base rate of postage to the Minister for Communication and concluding on Wednesday 27 March 2024.
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This content was produced at the time of the Stamp Bulletin publication date and will not be updated.
