Australia Post and NZ Post join forces to commemorate ANZAC

Australia Post and New Zealand Post join forces to commemorate ANZAC

Australia Post and New Zealand Post have joined forces to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in a joint stamp issue.

Australia Post Managing Director & Group CEO Ahmed Fahour said: “In this centenary year of the Gallipoli campaign, we are proud to release a joint stamp issue with New Zealand Post that recognises those who served their nation, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.

“The ANZAC stamp issue honours those who served during the Great War, and whose service forged a lasting bond between Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Fahour said.

Chief Executive of the New Zealand Post Group Brian Roche said: “New Zealand and Australia enjoy a close relationship, which deepened with the combined service of our troops during World War I. Many New Zealanders have a personal link to the war and this stamp issue provides an opportunity for us to commemorate both the original Anzacs and those who have served since World War I”.

ANZAC formed in Egypt in the months prior to the Gallipoli deployment in April 1915. The first contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops had sailed in convoy to Egypt to train for service as part of the Allied forces. For both countries, an important strand of identity was formed in the trenches of Gallipoli and this remains a touchstone of national identity.

Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio designed the ANZAC stamp issue, which features silhouetted soldiers and the floral emblems of each country against a backdrop of Anzac Cove.

The Australian stamps include a domestic base-rate (70c) stamp and an international- rate ($1.85) stamp. The stamps issued in New Zealand carry New Zealand denominations.

The products associated with this stamp issue include a first day cover, joint first day cover, stamp pack, joint issue stamp pack, postal and numismatic cover featuring stamps and postmarks of both countries with a 50c New Zealand coin, Postcards Home prestige cover, sheetlet of 5 x $1.85 and booklet of 10 x 70c self-adhesive stamps and a set of two maxicards.

ANZAC: Australia – New Zealand Joint Issue is available from 7 April 2015 at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.

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