Women stamp their place
THE role of women in war and conflict zones is being celebrated in a new stamp issue from Australia Post.
Released earlier this month, the five new postage stamps provide a starting point for classroom discussions and activities in the lead up to Remembrance Day on November 11.
The new issue pays tribute to Australian women, past and present, and their contribution during times of war and conflict..
“This stamp issue, the fourth in a series commemorating a century since World War I, acknowledges the important roles women have played,” Australia Post philatelic manager Michael Zsolt said:
“Prior to and including World War I, the involvement of women in conflict zones was almost entirely limited to nursing,” Mr Zsolt said.
“In World War II, women served in the nursing corps of the Navy, Army and Air Force, with other roles also open to women, including the Women’s Land Army and the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force. “Today all roles in the ADF are open to women.”
The new stamps feature women involved in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, and peacekeeping operations. WORLD WAR I (1914-18) saw more than 3000 nurses join the war effort, most serving abroad with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) while others served with volunteer organisations. Women on the home front also made an immense contribution.
The stamp depicts Ella Clow McLean, a Queensland nurse who joined the AANS in 1915 and served in India and Egypt. In the background is a Miss Coll, in Melbourne, knitting socks for the troops. WORLD WAR II (1939-45) saw women serving in the nursing corps of the ADF with other roles opening up. During this war, 3477 AANS nurses served, with more women joining the auxiliary services and volunteer organisations.
The stamp shows a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force defusing a practice bomb in Victoria in 1944 and, in the background, a farmworker in the Women’s Land Army on the Victorian Government Experimental Farm, also in 1944. KOREAN WAR (1950-53) and Vietnam War (1962-73) saw Australian servicewomen involved in both conflicts. During the Vietnam War, Australian women civilians participated in a number of roles: from members of civilian medical teams, Red Cross support, and entertainers, to embassy staff and journalists.
The stamp shows two Australian women serving in Vietnam: war correspondent Kate Webb, and Red Cross worker Rosemary Griggs with a patient at the Ist Australian Field Hospital in South Vietnam, in 1969. AFGHANISTAN (2001-pres- ent) and Iraq War ( 2003—11) involved women serving on active duty in the Middle East, including the Gulf War (1990-91), in critical operations as pilots, medics, combat engineers and other roles.
The stamp depicts Lance Corporal Ella Jones in 2016, preparing to take part in Operation Okra in Iraq, the ADF’s contribution to the international effort to combat the ISIL terrorist threat. In the background is Captain Sandi Williams of the Australian Army in Afghanistan in 2015, taking part in Operation Highroad, Australia’s contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. PEACEKEEPING operations have involved Australian servicewomen in many countries including East Timor, Indonesia, Korea, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the Solomon Islands.
The stamp shows Corporal Monique Haeate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Dili in 2002 and, in the background, Major Jessica Cordy of the International Stabilisation Force with local children in Dili in 2012.
The five $1 stamps were designed by Melbourne-based Stacey Zass of Page 12 Design.
The stamps and associated products are available from participating post offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/ stamps while stocks last.
More information on the Women in War stamps can be found at auspostcollectables.com.au.