Australia Post has just released the third stamp issue in a four-year series commemorating the centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) of 1911-14.
Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt explained that the AAE left Hobart in December 1911 under the command of Douglas Mawson and returned to Adelaide in February 1914. Mawson was knighted for his expedition achievements and is regarded as one of the greatest figures of Antarctic exploration.
“This remarkable human achievement took immense courage, skill and determination and Australia Post is pleased to recognise the centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition with the third in a four-year program of stamp issues.” Mr. Zsolt commented.
Mr. Zsolt also explained that the stamp issue highlights Mawson’s return to the base camp in February 1913 just hours after the original party had left on the expedition’s ship, the SY Aurora. The stamps also depict key members of the expedition and AAE life which involved significant scientific work in the harsh isolation of the Antarctic.