14 July 2009

Five of Australia's most beautiful city parks are being celebrated with the release of the elegant Australian Parks and Gardens stamp issue.

The Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne, the Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane, St David's Park in Hobart, Commonwealth Park in Canberra and Hyde Park in Sydney have all been highlighted by Australia Post as five parks visited by millions of people annually.

Australians have a great love and appreciation for these parks and enjoy visiting them to either engage in a variety of activities or to simply savour a tranquil environment.

"These parks are for everyone and are enjoyed by locals, interstate and international tourists. They are an essential resource which engage and inspire people. Whether it is taking a walk, reading a book, practicing yoga or enjoying a picnic with family and friends, our public parks are truly worth celebrating," said Noel Leahy, Group Manager of Philatelic, Australia Post.

The featured parks range from the subtropical plantings of the Roma Street Parkland, to the beech, birch and elm trees of St David's Park in Hobart, to the millions of garden bed blooms during the Spring Festival in Commonwealth Park, Canberra, to Australia's first public park - Hyde Park, Sydney.

"There are many great Australian parks and gardens, but we feel that the five featured in this stamp issue represent a wide cross section and capture the diversity unique to each location," Mr. Leahy added.

Other collectable products in this issue include a special limited edition (15,000) prestige first day cover that features a foiled postmark accompanied by a 100% recycled paper gift card containing Lemon-scented bottlebrush seeds*, a stamp pack, first day covers, a prestige booklet, a maxicard set, a decorative gutter strip, roll of 100 self-adhesive stamps and booklet of 10 self-adhesive stamps.

The issue is available at selected Australia Post outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 or online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps from 14 July 2009 while stocks last.

* Prestige first day cover only available in Australia - cannot be posted overseas.

For further information, please contact:
Stuart Osbourne
PR for Australia Post
M: 0412 190 820
P: 03 9696 2636
E: sosbourne@melb.javelinaustralia.com.au

Samantha Lew
Marketing Communications Manager
Philatelic Group, Australia Post
P: 03 9204 7734
E: samantha.lew@auspost.com.au