Australia’s native trees rustle onto stamps

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Australia Post’s new stamp issue, released today, will feature Australian native trees.

The stamps are a vivid representation of Australia’s most famous native trees and include the Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora), the giant Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor), the Australian Boab (Adansonia gregorii), the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) and the Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla).

The Snow Gum grows in the highest and coldest parts of southern Australia, along the tablelands in NSW and in the snowy mountains through Victoria to Tasmania.

The giant Karri, local to the south west of Western Australia provides one of our most important timbers - red, hard, heavy, tough and moderately durable, it is used for general construction, shipbuilding, flooring and telegraph poles.

The Australian Boab has a barrel shaped trunk and can grow 20 metres in circumference. The tree flowers with large fragrant white blooms just before the wet season in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.

The Wollemi Pine is sometimes known as the “dinosaur tree”. One of the world’s oldest tree species, the Wollemi Pine was known only from fossil relatives until discovered in the Blue Mountains near Sydney in 1994.

The Australian Native Trees stamp issue is being released to coincide with the 2nd World Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations being held from 8 to13 August 2005 at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

“Australia Post has a proud history of celebrating the natural beauty of Australia’s flora and fauna”, said Australia Post Philatelic Group Manager Noel Leahy.

“These products are a delightful souvenir for all nature enthusiasts, travellers and stamp collectors alike”.

The Australian Native Trees stamps, are on sale at all participating Australia Post outlets or via mail order on 1800 331 794 and overseas customers can purchase on-line at www.auspost.com.au/stamps

Media Contact:
Contact Don Elgin via e-mail for high-resolution images

Don Elgin
Philatelic Group
Australia Post
P: (03) 9204 7629
E: Don.elgin@auspost.com.au
Further information: www.auspost.com.au