Review -- The Stamp of Australia by Kelly Burke
The Story of Mail in Australia From Second Fleet to 21st Century
Based on the script of the Foxtel History Channel documentary of the same name, The Stamp of Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2009) by Kelly Burke offers a fascinating overview of the development of the Australian postal service.
The Story of Mail in Australia
Covering the story of Australia’s mail service from the Second Fleet to the twenty-first century, The Stamp of Australia is far more personable and interesting than a mere catalogue of Australian stamps.
The story of the Australian postal service is intricately entwined with the gradual exploration and habitation of the continent. As communities grew and explorers moved further inland, the postal service expanded to serve the communication needs of the population.
The Stamp of Australia offers information about the development of the business now known as Australia Post, from the early days of mail delivered to England by returning ship through to the establishment of the telegraph lines and railway system and eventual expansion and division of Australia’s communication system into separate postal and telecommunications entities.
Throughout the book, readers are introduced to a fascinating array of individuals whose contributions or experiences add colour to the story of the postal service. Extracts from letters, including those sent with the Second Fleet, and letters and telegrams received from soldiers during the First and Second World Wars emphasises the human aspect of the postal service, the communication of more than basic facts and information.
Bicentenary of Australia Post
To celebrate 200 years of postal service in Australia, Australia Post has a series of events and activities planned, including the Letters to a Nation project and a short film competition.
Australia Post is compiling letters that capture the history of Australia through the Letters to a Nation project. Letters can be submitted by the general public by email or mail. As many letters as possible will then be uploaded to the Australia Post website. Letters are being assessed and processed by volunteers from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria with assistance from the Australian Multicultural Foundation when translations are required.
In co-operation with the Australian Film Industry, Australia Post is running the 200 Seconds short film competition for students in Australian secondary schools, tertiary multi-media courses and the general public. Film-makers must film a 200 second narrative tale involving a parcel.
Further information about both the Letters to a Nation and 200 Seconds short film competition can be found at the Australia Post website.
The History of Mail and Communication in Australia
From an operation performed by a postmaster with instructions received in Morse code across 3674-kilometres of telegraph wire to letters sent home to loved ones by homesick and frightened soldiers, The Stamp of Australia emphasises as very personal and human element to the value of the postal system.
The Stamp of Australia includes an index and brief acknowledgement of primary sources of information. Sixteen pages of black and white images include well-known and significant stamps and photographs and images of significant postal service memorabilia.
The story of communication in Australia runs parallel with the exploration of the vast Australian continent. This book is sure to appeal not only stamp collectors, but also anyone with an interest in Australian history, particularly the development of Australian communication systems over the centuries.
The Stamp of Australia (ISBN: 978-1-74175-614-2, 250 pages)
The Stamp of Australia by Kelly Burke
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