2 October 2007

Australia Post launches into celebrations for 50 years of space travel with the release of six new stamps and the announcement of some educational initiatives for Stamp Collecting Month in October.

Stamp collecting month has been held each year by Australia Post since 1993 as a way to help educate primary school children using stamps as the vehicle for learning.

The new six stamp series, available from Tuesday 2 October, features artwork by Jamie Tuffrey that depict six significant events throughout the past 50 years of modern space exploration.

According to Noel Leahy, Group Manager Philatelic, Australia Post, the topic of space travel was a fitting choice for Stamp Collecting Month.

“What better way to excite students about learning than with a topic like space travel that continues to capture the imagination of children and adults alike,” he said.

“The launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik on 4 October 1957 is regarded as the birth of the modern space age and is celebrated on the first 50 cent stamp. This event is joined by the first space walk conducted by the Russians in 1965, and the moment that captured the imagination of the entire world, the first moon walk conducted by the USA in 1965.”

The six stamp series is completed with three stamps depicting the ground breaking exploratory vessels that are still in operation today – the Voyager satellite (1977), International Space Station (1998) and the Hubble Space Telescope (1990).

“Who knows what the next half a century of space travel will hold, but through these stamps, Australia Post aims to teach students about the previous 50 years of space exploration and how we got to where we are today,” said Mr Leahy.
 

Australia Post designed teaching kits featuring an educational DVD are available free for all interested primary schools via www.auspost.com.au/blastoff and Australia Post staff members will be conducting volunteer visits to schools around the country, to help further educate students about stamps.

The website www.auspost.com/blastoff will also host of fun and educational games for children, and provide an opportunity for children to win a $2,000.00 cash prize for their school.

A free exhibition titled “Blast Off! 50 years in Space” will be hosted at the Post Master Gallery in Melbourne from 29 September 2007 – 8 February 2008 featuring space stamps from all around the world.

The 2007 Space stamps are available from Tuesday, 2 October from participating Australia Post outlets and via mail order on 1800 331 794. Stamps are available in several collectible formats including First Day Covers, Stamp Pack, Minisheet, Prestige Booklet, Stamp & Coin Cover and Maxi Cards.

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Australia Post Stamp Shop:

• Visit the Stamp Shop online for more information on Australia Post stamp issues, books, coins, collectables and souvenirs.