National Service Memorial Memorialised on Stamp
Wednesday, 08 September 2010
Between 1951 and 1972 a total of 287,000 young Australian men were called up for service in the Navy, Army and Air Force. A total of 212 National Servicemen died on active service - 210 in Vietnam and two in Borneo.
To commemorate those who fought and those who died for our country, a National Service Memorial has been built at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. To provide a lasting memory of this important dedication, Australia Post will be launching a stamp to coincide with the dedication of the National Service Memorial by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, in Canberra on 8 September 2010.
Australia Post Philatelic Group Manager, Noel Leahy said, "Australians have a great history of selflessly serving our great nation in times of war. We hope this stamp issue will be a tribute to them and their families through the memorialisation of their service in the Vietnam, Korean and Borneo wars.
The Memorial is a fountain set in its own garden at the right hand side of the main entrance and is the centrepiece of the new Eastern Precinct. Nearby is the statue of World War II hero, Sir Weary Dunlop. The Memorial with the fountain and its surrounding seats, hedges and trees was designed by internationally recognised Sydney architects Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW), as a dignified and striking tribute to all National Servicemen. The moving waters of the fountain symbolise life and the design aims to encourage contemplation.
The natural materials of bronze, sandstone, black granite and stainless steel were chosen to be in harmony with the fabric of the Australian War Memorial and for their strong symbolic value. The three armed forces are represented by their service badges and the symbolic representation of earth, water and sky. The sandstone plinth represents the Army, the water in the large bronze bowl the Navy and the reflection of the sky in the polished black granite slab the Air Force. The fountain uses recycled water but can stand alone in the event of drought.
The National Memorial stamp issue includes a single 60c stamp which shows the National Service Memorial in situ at the Australian War Museum in Canberra. The coloured bars are reminiscent of the medal ribbon from the Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972 Medal and will be recognisable as such to all national servicemen.
The stamp and associated products including stamp pack, first day cover, maxicard and a postal numismatic cover (PNC) will be available at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps from 8 September 2010 while stocks last.
