Brisbane (Aust) PPS Group

Exciting news from Brisbane - on the 4th of June 2016, the Brisbane group of the PPS met with ten members being present. A large number of apologies were received due to the severe weather being experienced on the day.

The first business of the meeting was discussing the exciting developments regarding the future direction of the PPS, following the Annual General Meeting of the PPS, recently held in the United Kingdom. For some time the difficulties surrounding the ongoing publication of the PPS Journal, PNG Calling was a matter of concern. We were excited to hear the announcement that John Leah, Editor and Publisher of the Australian Stamps Professional magazine, will publish articles from members of the PPS. As a result, members now have the opportunity to have their articles professionally and widely published. Members will have a wider audience to present matters of interest.

Associated with this is the professional development of a new and enhanced, member specific web site. This web site will provide greater awareness of PPS matters. Some of the innovations will include access to, books /publications / articles produced by members, detailed minutes from all PPS groups around the world, the ability to conduct topic specific searches, and other PPS and member specific matters. Interest has also been shown by advertisers to have their sale / catalogue information linked into the site.

At each meeting members are asked to present and discuss items of interest and research. A brief summary of items discussed follows.

Stamps with the National Symbols of PNG, Singapore EXPO, for Papua New Guinea were shown, they were not sold in PNG.
A photocopy of an 1894, 5 mark, New Guinea Silver Bird of Paradise coin, recently sold, was discussed (a beautiful and rare coin).
An Australian Air Letter, Permit Aerogram used in PNG was discussed. It does not appear in published articles.
A special postmarked souvenir cover – Papuan Philatelic Society Silver Jubilee 1954-1979, dated 6 Oct 1979 postmarked Port Moresby was discussed.
Two covers from Lae, featuring Amelia Earhart were circulated, one dated 28-6-67 and another, last flight ex Darwin dated 26-6-1987.
A selection of Registered Envelopes, issued in 1959 was discussed noting the differences in colour for both mint and used.
An example of the 1995 tourism set without overprint and a set of white water rafting, visit South Pacific Year 1995, block of 9, with the top right stamp missing the 65t, were circulated.
An example of a six halfpenny Australian green, used in New Guinea, August 1955, Port Moresby was discussed. A rare stamp on cover used anywhere, but especially so in New Guinea.
In the research area, studies are ongoing regarding Bullet Holes (red dot of colour surrounded by a white border) found on the 1d rose /rose carmine SG49s. A future article is planned with this updated information.

Ted McPheat

Meeting Secretary