Australia Post will recognise the canonisation of Australia’s first saint – Blessed Mary MacKillop – by releasing a new commemorative stamp series on October 18. After her canonisation, Mary MacKillop will be officially known as Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop). “The canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop will be celebrated around the world with services, vigils and pilgrimages.

Australia Post will mark the occasion and recognise the selfless acts of this inspirational heroine in its own way with a special stamp issue.

This is truly history in the making and we’re certain that these stamps will be treasured by Australians for years to come,” said Noel Leahy, Australia Post Philatelic Group Manager. Mary MacKillop was born in 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne to Scottish parents. From an (read more)

published September 23rd, 2010

The rarest native seabird on Christmas Island, the frigatebird, is featured as part of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Stamp Collection.

The frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) is the rarest endemic seabird on Christmas Island, listed as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Considerable areas of the frigatebird’s former breeding habitat have been cleared, and its current breeding areas are now threatened by the invasive Crazy Ant and pollution from past phosphate mining. (read more)

published September 4th, 2010

Girl Guides Australia is celebrating its centenary from September 2009 to February 2011.

Girl Guides evolved from the Scouting movement, founded by Robert Baden-Powell, in the early years of the 20th century. Baden-Powell’s sister Agnes took charge of Girl Guiding in its early years and was followed by Baden-Powell’s wife, Olave.

In Australia, Guiding began as early as 1909, but it wasn’t until 1926 the Federal Council of the Girl Guides Associations of Australia was formed. In 1928 Australia became a foundation member of the newly formed World Association of Girl Guides and (read more)

published September 1st, 2010

The 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition, the first South – North crossing of the continent is celebrated with the release of this special stamp issue.

On 20 August 1860, the Burke and Wills expedition left Melbourne for the Gulf of Carpentaria. The explorers hoped to be the first Europeans to cross Australia from the south to the north.

While the explorers reached the Gulf, the expedition ended in tragedy. Physically exhausted from their journey, they hoped to find William Brahe and much needed help and (read more)

published August 10th, 2010

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) celebrates its 100th year in 2010 and Australia Post has issued a commemorative stamp to mark this historic occasion.

On 11 November 1910, the Federal Land Tax Branch of the Department of Treasury was established as a central collection office to fund aged care and invalid pensions. This was the forerunner to the ATO. Personal taxation was not introduced until the onset of WWI, which then saw a rapid growth in federal taxation.

 The ATO is now responsible for income tax, GSTGSTGoods and Services Tax is a broad based tax on the supply of most goods and services consumed in Australia. The GST rate is 10%. and superannuation as well as (read more)

published August 5th, 2010

Australia Post has produced a stamp issue to promote the different telephone numbers to call in case of an Emergency. As stamps are becoming increasingly popular, the Government thought that a good way to save lives was by eaturing the numbers on actual postage stamps which people use for their mail or to collect. These stamps are being issued to help raise public awareness about how and when to phone “000″.

Stay focused. Stay relevant. Stay on line. (read more)

published July 23rd, 2010

This special issue seeks to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership and support the dedicated work of organisations re-homing lost and abandoned dogs.

The stamps will be issued at the end of July 2010 by Australia Post

 Australia has one of the highest levels of dog ownership worldwide, with an estimated 40 per cent of Australian households having at least one dog. This means that there are around 4 million dogs nationwide. But while Australia enjoys a high level of dog ownership, a high number of dogs are admitted into shelters. During 2008-09, the RSPCA alone recorded 69,383 admissions into its shelters across the country.

 Each of the dogs featured in this stamp issue has been given a second chance. All five have spent time in a shelter before being adopted into adoring new families. (read more)

published July 13th, 2010

Three of Australia’s most renowned and beautiful beaches are featured on this new International Stamp issue.

The Bay of Fires in north-eastern Tasmania is located within Mt William National Park. The rocks and stones along the beach are visible reminders of the land bridge once connecting Tasmania to the mainland.

Cape Tribulation, in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in northern Queensland, is in one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of this area.

Hellfire Bay is located east of Esperance in Cape Le Grand, one of Western Australia’s best known and most (read more)

published June 30th, 2010

With the basic postage rate going to 60c, we have issued a new and colourful definitive issue titled Fishes of the Reef. This issue is in two parts with Part 2 issued on 28 June 2010, when the new postage rates become valid.

Australia’s tropical and subtropical waters support an astounding range of marine life, particularly in the reef areas. The largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef spans more than 2,000 kilometres of our north-eastern coast. This area alone is home to an estimated 1,500 species of fishes, up to 8,000 species of molluscs and 360 species of corals. Fishes are an important part of reef ecology and the eight fish species in this stamp issue occupy the waters of Great Barrier Reef. Several are also found around reefs off northern and Western Australia. (read more)

published June 29th, 2010

AUSTRALIA Post customers only have one week left to use their 55 cent stamps before postage costs rise five cents.
The basic postage rate increase to 60 cents is the third price rise in 18 years, according to Australia Post’s Scott McIntyre, and it comes into effect next Monday.

“We understand that it might take some time for our customers to adjust to the new rate, but we are providing options to minimise any inconveniences felt,” Mr McIntyre said. “People can continue to use 55 cent stamps in combination with five cent stamps, or they may purchase new 60 cent stamps.”

Five cent stamps are available in a booklet of 20 to help with the transition

published June 24th, 2010

A set of four stamps featuring photographic landsapes from Australia has been recently issued by Aurtralia Post. Australia is home to some incredible natural wonders and this issue celebrates four UNESCO World Heritage listed sites.

Purnululu National Park in Western Australia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003 as an outstanding example containing the major stages in the Earth’s evolutionary history, superlative natural phenomena, and areas of exceptional natural beauty.

Kakadu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in (read more)

published May 29th, 2010