Good crowd for stamp and coin fair
Warragul Philatelic Society held a successful stamp and coin fair at the Exhibition Hall, Warragul last weekend.
Crowd numbers were down slightly on previous years which organisers attributed to the cold weather.
The event has been held for more than 40 years.
Society public relations officer Max Norman said the fair had offered opportunities for people to buy, sell or swap stamps, coins, postcards, militaria and swap cards.
He said the club had solid interest from sellers and tables for dealers had been well sought after.
There were 50 trading tables which provided plenty of choice for collectors interested in swap cards, ephemera, old tins, coins, accessories, stamps and military medals.
Drouin Community Bank board member Matthew Williamson drew the raffle.
Mr Norman said although the humble postage stamp was becoming quite novel in households because of email and the like the interest and price particularly of quality items remains buoyant.
He said the fair regularly attracts visitors who have found an old album or some old coins and wish to have it valued.
He said the society could assist or send the people onto dealers. Junior members are well catered for as well and encouraged to take up the hobby. They receive a free stamp show bag which has generous offerings for as long as they last to promote stamp collecting.
Mr Norman said the society was the strongest stamp collecting club in Gippsland and attracts members from as far as Morwell, Pakenham and Mirboo North.
The club is currently conducting a membership drive with a low annual membership of $10. There are also subsidised functions including the annual dinner and bus fares to Melbourne for events.
The society meets at Warragul North Primary School on the second Friday of every month at 7:30pm. For further information about the society call 0448871432.