26 June 2017
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Trans-Australian Railways stamps
Australia Post has marked the centenary of the completion of the transcontinental railway between Port Augusta, in South Australia, and Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia, with the release of a new pair of stamps
Australia Post has marked the centenary of the completion of the transcontinental railway between Port Augusta, in South Australia, and Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia, with the release of a new pair of stamps.
The two domestic base-rate ($1) stamps were designed by John White of the Australia Post Design Studio. The stamps feature advertising posters from 1930 and 1960, the first shows a figure on a camel viewing a locomotive as it speeds across the desert towards Perth; the second shows the first diesel locomotive GM1, in service between 1951 and 1967.
A minisheet, first day cover, stamp pack, set of two maxicards, two postal and numismatic covers, a medallion cover and a booklet of ten stamps are also available.
Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt said: ‘With such vast distances in Australia, the building of railway networks was a huge undertaking. This stamp issue not only highlights the Trans-Australian Railway in this centenary year, but also pays tribute to the remarkable engineering feat required to establish it – a great achievement in our history.’
The Trans-Australian Railway was officially opened on 22 October, 1917, but had been planned many years before. Prior to Federation, in 1901, Western Australia had been reluctant to join the new Commonwealth of Australia, but it was persuaded with the promise of a transcontinental rail link facilitating closer communication with the eastern states.
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