Football champions Gary Ablett Junior, Mark Schwarzer, Billy Slater and David Pocock will take on legendary status by appearing on postage stamps released for Australia Day.

All-time legends Ron Barassi, Joe Marston, John Raper and David Campese will also be immortalised on the 2012 Australia Post Australian Legends stamp issue, which recognises Australia’s four dominant football codes – Australian rules, football, rugby union and rugby league. 

The identities of the eight football champions – one all-time legend and one current playing legend from each code – has remained a tightly-held secret until today, when the stamps go on sale.

The 2012 Australia Post Australian Legends will be honoured at the official Australia Day lunch in Sydney, as well as Australia Day events staged in all capital cities leading up to 26 January. Each Legend will be presented with a 24-carat gold replica of the stamp on which he features.

Australia Post Managing Director and CEO, Ahmed Fahour, said the 2012 Legends were chosen for their contribution to Australian sporting culture and for playing a vital role in shaping Australia as a great sporting nation.

“These eight football legends have inspired millions of Australians with their remarkable achievements – both on and off the field. The stamps will be a constant reminder of the history these players have created – whether it be in Australian rules, football, rugby union or rugby league,” Mr Fahour said.

To select the eight individual recipients of the 2012 Legends Award, Australia Post established expert judging panels for each of the four codes – comprising a journalist, a broadcaster and a former champion player.

The Australia Post Australian Legends Award began 15 years ago when Sir Donald Bradman was the first living Australian to be honoured on an Australian stamp. Prior to that, the only living people honoured on our nation’s stamps were members of the royal family.

Current playing AFL legend, Brownlow Medallist and Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett Junior said he planned to frame his stamp and hang it on the wall.

“Donald Bradman would be the greatest Australian sportsman of all time…so to be on a stamp alongside him is definitely a great honour and I might even put one of his stamps up (on the wall) and whack one of mine alongside it,” he said.

All-time AFL legend Ron Barassi, who won multiple premierships as a player and later as a coach, attributed some of his success to luck. “I always go back to how lucky I’ve been. I was born with a fierce desire and a good determination and I reckon I’ve earned some of my stuff but I’ve been a bit lucky,” he said.

Current football goalkeeper and most capped player in the Socceroo’s history, Mark Schwarzer, said being on a stamp was “beyond his wildest dreams”.

It’s almost like a fairy tale because you don’t think as a footballer that you could ever be on a stamp. It’s definitely not one of those targets that you set yourself to achieve,” he said.

All-time football legend Joe Marston, who was the first Australian to play in a FA Cup final, said he was shocked to receive a phone call, saying he was selected to appear on a stamp.

“I really didn’t know what to say. I thought I must have done something right and thought ‘well it’s a great honour to be selected in that category’,” he said.

Current rugby league player and Melbourne Storm record-holding scorer Billy Slater said he was humbled and honoured to receive the Australia Post Australian Legends Award.

“There’s so many great players to choose from and to come up with my name is very satisfying and I suppose not just for myself but for my family,” he said.

Former rugby league champion John Raper, who played in eight consecutive premierships for St George, said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be on a stamp, which would travel around Australia.

“To be placed among all those famous sports people who have done the ultimate for Australia is such a great honour … probably the greatest honour I can ever get,” he said.

Current rugby union legend and award-winning Wallaby player David Pocock said he was “hugely honoured” and predicted his mother would buy the stamps. “She’ll send a lot of letters with those stamps on them no doubt!” he said.

All-time rugby union legend David Campese, who holds the world record for the most tries scored in top-tier Test matches, said he was thrilled to receive the award, given he had “passed on his jersey” many years ago. “I think to be part of that select group is something I will take to my grave,” he said.

In total, 60 people have now received the Australia Post Australian Legends Award since it was first presented to Sir Donald Bradman in 1997. Some of the other recipients include Arthur Boyd, Slim Dusty, Rod Laver, Dame Joan Sutherland, Barry Humphries, Bart Cummings, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Nicole Kidman and Peter Carey. Last year, the award was given to four women who have advanced the cause of gender equality in Australia: Eva Cox, Elizabeth Evatt, Germaine Greer and Anne Summers.

“The Australian Legends series has honoured Australians from a wide range of Australian life from scientists, philanthropists, authors, actors, fashion icons and WW1 heroes,” Mr Fahour said.

The Legends will feature on 8 x 60c stamps, a stamp pack, first day cover and set of maxicards. Accompanying the stamp issue is a commemorative biography, titled The Top of Their Game, written by sports author John Harms and journalists Ray Gatt, Mike Sheahan, Jim Tucker and Phil Rothfield.

Source: Australia Post

published January 22nd, 2012