Lanarkshire Philatelic Society
"Members' Night"
"Australasia"
"Australasia" - this one word was offered to the members of the Lanarkshire Philatelic Society and 10 members responded with 10 different displays on the subject!
Mike Cleary displayed Australian stamps issued during the reign of King George VI (1936 - 1952). This included the changing designs of the King’s profile as he grew older. The stamps commemorating the Coronation in 1937 and the 1947 stamps issued for the marriage of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip were shown - as were those issued during Royal visits.
Helen Bruce displayed commemoratives issued by New Zealand between the years 1987 and 1990. She also displayed Christmas Stamps issued from 1960 to 2012 - with many lovely designs of the Nativity.
Gary Cheyne took members to Norfolk Island; and gave an interesting display of the stamps issued there up to 1984 while Bill Jardine landed on Papua New Guinea displayed the stamps issued between 1964 and 1990 - these included definitives - also birds; ships; 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts; historic buildings; flowers; butterflies & aircraft.
Other members took a thematic approach to their displays -
Alex Magowan chose to display the Rugby Union World Cup played in 2003 in Australia. The countries involved in the World Cup issued stamps, covers and meter marks as the Games were played. The final - between England and Australia - was won by England 20 - 17. The covers and stamps issued to celebrate this win were displayed. A comic postcard - designed as a Memorial Card - showed the distress of Wales at the score of Australia 63; Wales 6!
Sheila Sinclair, with the aid of maps she displayed her theme of "Lighthouses" using stamps, covers and postcards from across the south of Australia and also throughout New Zealand showing the different shapes and markings. Also a most interesting cover with a hologram showing a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) pounding the surf - issued for the Year of Life Saving.
Eric Ross displayed a great selection of stamps, covers and postcards showing the mountains - and occasional volcano - of both Australia and New Zealand.
Ken Mathieson took members back to the beginning - with his display of the "Exploration of Australia" - and showed many stamps and covers of Captain James Cook’s landing and exploration of the country. He also featured Abel Tasman (after whom Tasmania is named); and Captain James Keeling who discovered the Cocos Islands.
Maureen Mathieson travelled further - to the islands of New Guinea; Fiji and Micronesia - and showed a wonderful selection of beautiful stamps and miniature sheets illustrating Butterflies and Moths which are to be found there.
Ken Norris preferred rail travel in Australia - beginning with stamp issued in 1954 to commemorate the opening of the first railway in 1854. Many other covers and stamps illustrated the development of the railway system across Australia. He, also, displayed Parcel stamps used on the railways - 1891-1915 & 1929-1966.
Ed Archer led Members in giving thanks for such an interesting variety of displays.
Our next meeting is in the Caledonian Bowling Club, Motherwell Road, Hamilton, on Friday, 8th November at 7:30pm when members look forward to welcoming Mr. I. Barker, with his displays entitled "Sink the Bismark" and "Rail in Steam".
Anyone with an interest in stamps, postal history, postcards etc is very welcome to attend.