Great Australian Railway journeys - 2010 AUSTRALIA

Australian trains cross the continent east to west and south to north, covering great distances over often isolated and difficult terrain. They also cover smaller distances in rugged and precipitous mountain country. These trains were once the primary means of linking isolated settlements with more populous centres.

The issue showcases great Australian trains that traverse inaccessible places of Australia. Some, like the Indian Pacific, cross the continent from east to west, traversing thousands of kilometres, while others, like The Ghan - celebrating its 81st anniversary this year - link Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the north.

As well as these long-distance railways there are the shorter Kuranda Scenic Railway in northern Queensland and the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania. Both these engineering feats opened up previously inaccessible country and recall the importance of the railway to remote Australian settlements.

Today it is hard to imagine how difficult the country was. In the case of the Indian Pacific, for instance, there were mo permanet fresh watercourses, which was a real problem for steam trains. Bores and reservoirs had to be established along the line, the water often proving unusable. As a result trains had to carry their own water supply.

Today these train journeys provide Australian and international travellers alike with the chance to see the scenic attractions of Australia - from the Queensland and Tasmanian forests to the Nullarbor Plain and the great deserts of Central Australia.

Colonial Heritage: Empire - 2010 AUSTRALIA

Prior to Federation and the release of Australia's first national stamp issue in 1913 the six former colonies issued their own stamps. This stamp issue is the first in a series of four commemorating that early philatelic history. This $5 stamp reinterprets the original "Chalon head" designs of Van diemen's Land / Tasmania and Queensland (in circulation from 1855 to 1892 and 1860 to 1913 respectively). The portrait of Queen Victoria is based on Alfred Chalon's 1837 painting of the young queen in her coronation robes. Chalon's painting, now in Belgium's Royal Collection, is reproduced on the miniature sheet.

Emergency services - 2010 AUSTRALIA

This stamp issue is designed to heighten public awareness for phoning Triple Zero. It has been estimated that in approximately 60 per cent of cases people who phone 000 do so for the wrong reasons.

In Australia, Triple Zero (000) is the primary national emergency number . It puts Australians in contact with the police, fire and ambulance services during a life or property-threatening, time-critical emergency.

Knowing how to call Triple Zero in an emergency can be the difference between life and death. There are three key messages to remember when calling Triple Zero. These are:

- stay focused

- stay relevant

- stay on line

It is essential the caller tells the operator the emergency service required and where they are calling from. Remembering these instructions ensures the caller receives the right emergency service in the quickest time possible.

In 1961, the office of the Postmaster General (PMG) introduced the 000 number in major population centres, and near the end of the 1980s extended its coverage nationwide. The number "000" was chosen for several reasons, one of which was zero is closest to the finger stall on Australian rotary dial phones, so it is easy to dial in the darkness.

Adopted and adored - 2010 AUSTRALIA

Australia has one if the highest levels of dog ownership worldwide with an estimated 40 per cent of Australian households having at least one dog. This means that there are around 4 milion dogs nationwide. But while Australia enjoys a high level of dog ownership, a high number of dogs are admitted into shelters. During 2008 - 2009, the RSPCA alone recorded 69,383 admissions into its shelters.

This issue promotes responsible dog ownership and supports the dedicated work of organisations re-homing lost and abandonded dogs. The RSPCA, Victoria's Lost Dogs Home, Dogs' Homes of Tasmania and the NSW Animal rescue are just some of the key establishments working tirelessly for animal welfare and pairing lost or abandonded dogs with new owners. Their number is significantly boosted by the many small shelters also re-homing dogs. In the case of two Australia' s largest shelters - the RSPCA and the Lost Dogs' Home - they find new owners for around 70 per cent of the dogs admitted. Only those that are healthy, de-sexed and free of behavioural problems (such as biting and excessive barking) can be re-homed through their adoption programs.

Each of the dogs featured in this stamp issue has been given a second chance. All five have spent time in a shelter before being adopted into adoring new families.

2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES VANCOUVER - 2010 AUSTRALIA

Australia won two gold medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver. The first was won by Torah Bright and the second by Lydia Lassila. A portrait of each athlete is featured on a 55c stamp.

Torah Bright won the gold metal for the Snowboard - Ladies Halfpipe. After falling in her first run in the finals, Torah scored 45.0 in her second run to take out the medal ahead of her rivals.

The second gold medal was won by Lydia Lassila for Freestyle Skiing  - Ladies Aerials. Lydia achieved a score of 214.74, which placed her ahead of her rivals. The stamp features Lydia Lassila holdind her gold medal at the presentation ceremony.

Beaches in Israel - 2011 ISRAEL

Israel’s Mediterranean coastline extends along some 196 kilometers in length and dozens of meters across. It is abundant with diverse scenery, historic sites, a richly diverse biological environment and smooth sand. The other beaches in Israel are also graced with unique characteristics and draw visitors from around the world. 

Sea of Galilee Beach

The Sea of Galilee is Israel’s largest body of fresh water and a first class tourist center. The shores surrounding the Sea of Galilee are diverse: soft and rocky, narrow and wide. These beaches abound with unique nature trails and many Christian and Jewish holy sites.

Caesarea Beach

The city of Caesarea was founded on the Mediterranean shore in the 1st century BCE and was home to one of the key Mediterranean ports. Today one may stroll on the city’s beautiful beach or dive into the sea to view the spectacular antiquities of the underwater archeological park that lies in the port.

Tel-Aviv Beach

The city of Tel-Aviv-Yafo, the heart of the country and Israel’s business and cultural center, lies along 14 kilometers of the flat Mediterranean coastline. In 2010, National Geographic magazine ranked Tel-Aviv among the ten best coastal cities in the world.

Dead Sea Beach

One of the most beautiful natural gems in the world, situated some 424 meters below sea level – the lowest place on Earth! Sources of natural “healing water” rich in minerals and natural heat are located along the shoreline. Together with the deposits of black mud, these natural materials form an ideal basis for health and beauty treatments. The Judean Desert lies beyond the edges of the Dead Sea shore.

Eilat Beach

The beaches along the Eilat Bay are a rare natural resource. The bay is a first class tourist destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, the Arava landscapes and mountains surrounding Eilat, the developed water sports and some of the best scuba diving in the world. To the south of the city lies the Coral Nature Reserve with its brilliant tropical fish and the adjacent Dolphin Reef. Stas Misezhnikov Minister of Tourism

Description of the Stamps

The Sea of Galilee – a view of the Sea of Galilee, photographed from Kfar Haruv in the southern Golan Heights. Photo: Itzik Binyonski Caesarea – a view of part of the Caesarea beach and the aqueduct there. Photo: Itzik Binyonski

Tel-Aviv – a panoramic aerial view of the Tel-Aviv shoreline. Photo: Albatross

The Dead Sea – an aerial photo of the hotel area. Photo: Itamar Greenberg

Eilat – a panoramic view from the sea toward the hotel area. Photo: Shutterstock

Rescue Forces - giving it their all - 2011 ISRAEL

This stamp is dedicated wholeheartedly to the people who save lives in times of emergency. The men and women of Israel’s rescue forces devote their time and energy to training and preparation in anticipation of a time when their involvement and swift action may be needed.

Natural disaster, accident, acts of terrorism or war – any of these might lead to an emergency situation necessitating rescue force intervention in order to minimize the magnitude of the disaster and reduce human casualties and property damage as much as possible.

Members of the various rescue forces are responsible for evacuating the injured from the scene of an event, providing initial life saving treatment and speedy transfer to hospital. They handle a long list of emergency situations including the rescue of trapped persons, fire fighting and neutralizing hazardous materials.

Some work to protect the public from law breakers and terrorists, while others perform rescue operations to save people who are trapped in dangerous places, such as collapsed buildings.

Numerous volunteers are active in each of the rescue organizations. These volunteers devote their time to saving lives and act alongside the organizations’ professionals. They come from all walks of life – men women, young and old – and their dedicated work allows the rescue organizations to fulfill their missions.

In addition to the role played by volunteers in the key rescue organizations’ operations, there are groups of volunteers in Israel who specialize in unique rescue efforts. One example of many such groups are the regional search and rescue units which incorporate volunteers who live locally. These people are extremely familiar with the area in which they live and are called upon to help locate and rescue hikers who have lost their way or run into difficulties while hiking.

Rescue operations may put the rescuers into extremely dangerous positions and at times rescue force personnel have lost their lives in the course of their attempts to help others. The Israeli public witnessed one such chilling instance during the huge fire that took place in the Carmel Forest in December 2010. The courage shown by the rescue forces, who risk their own lives to enter danger zones, deserves the grateful public’s appreciation.

Israeli Football Legends - 2011 ISRAEL

When we were young, they were giants. The ten athletes from the realm of football who are immortalized on these stamps were admired by the masses, each in his specific era. Some of them played on the eve of Israel’s Independence and others in the early days of the State. Israeli football began back in the days of the Ottoman period, many years before the establishment of the State.

The sport became instituted in 1928 and during the course of its history legends were created.

Menachem Ashkenazi (1934-2000)

Israel’s senior football referee and an international referee. He officiated at the Final of the 1964 Olympic tournament in Tokyo and also in the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England.

Jerry Beit Halevi (1912-1997)

Moshe (Jerry) Beit Halevi played for Maccabi Tel Aviv and for the Eretz Israel national football team. He managed Maccabi Tel Aviv and, in the early 1950’s, the Israel national football team as well.

Shmuel Ben-Dror (1924-2009)

Played football for the Maccabi Avshalom Petach Tikva team. He enlisted in the Jewish Brigade and fought during World War II. In 1948 he served as the first captain of the Israel national football team in a game against the U.S. national team in New York.

Ya’akov Grundman (1939-2004)

A Polish-born Holocaust survivor. He played for Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv as well as for the Israel national football team and managed the national team alongside Itzhak Shneor as half of the renowned “S.G.” duo.

Ya’akov Hodorov (1927-2006)

Born in Rishon LeZion and played for the local Maccabi and Hapoel teams. He transferred to Hapoel Tel Aviv and while there grew to be Israel’s premier goalkeeper. Hodorov was the Israel national football team goalkeeper from 1949-1964.

Avi Cohen (1956-2010)

Played for Maccabi Tel Aviv and transferred to Liverpool, with whom he won an English national league championship. He was captain of the Israel national football team and played with the team in the 1974 Olympic Games in Montreal. He was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Nahum Stelmach (1936-1999)

Played for Hapoel Petach Tikva, leading his team to six league championships. He was an Israel national football team player and captain, scoring the first goal ever scored by the Israel national team at the Ramat Gan national stadium during a game against the Soviet Union in 1956.

Eli Fuchs (1924-1992)

Joined Maccabi Tel Aviv as a youth and is considered to have been the team leader and one of its best players from the eve of Israel’s independence through the mid-1950’s. Fuchs was an Israel national football team player and its highly admired captain until 1954.

Natan Panz (1917-1948)

Began his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv, from which he reached the Israel national football team. In 1939 he transferred to Beitar Tel Aviv, with which he was identified. Penetz fell during a battle of Etzel fighters in Jaffa during the 1948 War of Independence.

Avi Ran (1963-1987)

An esteemed goalkeeper for Maccabi Haifa and the Israel national football team in the 1980’s. He was killed in a tragic accident in the Sea of Galilee. Today, the Israel National Youth Championship Cup bears his name.

Asher Goldberg

Sports journalist and author (along with Danny Dvorin) of a book about Maccabi Tel Aviv. Currently documenting the history of Israeli football for the Israel Football Association.

75 Years of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra - 2011 ISRAEL

The Eretz Israel Orchestra was founded in 1936 by Jewish violinist Bronislaw Huberman. Many Jewish musicians came to Eretz Israel at that time after having been persecuted in Europe, and Huberman successfully recruited a number of them to fulfill his dream of establishing a classical symphony orchestra. Huberman invited renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini to conduct the inaugural concert on 26 December 1936. With the declaration of Israeli independence in 1948, the orchestra’s name was changed to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Since its founding, the IPO has been an inherent part of Israel’s national and cultural life. Among the moving moments in its history are concerts played before Allied troops on various fronts during World War II, playing the Hatikva national anthem at the Israeli Declaration of Independence ceremony, special concerts played during the Six Day War and during the First Gulf War and “The Philharmonic in the Park”, which attracted 100,000 people to the largest classical music concert ever held in Israel.

The IPO has a broad fan base throughout the world and is frequently invited to play in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Japan and other places around the world. Everywhere they go the IPO serves as an emissary of peace, harmony and excellence.

Numerous legendary artists have been associated with the Philharmonic and were proud to play with it and conduct it: Arthur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Leonard Bernstein, Daniel Barenboim and Kurt Masur. Many of them formed close bonds with the Philharmonic, and no one more so than Maestro Zubin Mehta. The decorated and multitalented Mehta first appeared with the IPO in 1961 and continues to conduct many of its concerts. In 1981 he was appointed as its Music Director for Life. 

The IPO considers musical education for the younger generation to be of the utmost importance, maintaining a variety of educational programs, among them the “KeyNote” program which provides music education for many populations, including the “Scales” project, that furthers music lessons and operates woodwind orchestras for at-risk children and the “Turning Point” project that furthers music education among the Israeli Arab population, realizing Zubin Mehta’s vision.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performs some 150 concerts each year in subscription series and special concerts, making sure to present a wide variety of musical programs and concerts in order to bring the magic of classical music to a broad audience of all ages and social backgrounds.

The Valley Railway Stamp Sheet - 2011 ISRAEL

“The Valley Railway” (Rakevet HaEmek) is the Hebrew nickname for the Haifa branch line of the famed Hijaz Railway, which was built in the latter days of the Ottoman Empire to connect Damascus to Medina and Mecca in the Hijaz region of the Arabian Peninsula. This railway served both religious and military purposes.

The branch line to Haifa was built from 1903-1906, to transport materials imported by sea and required for the construction of the Hijaz Railway’s main line. The branch line relieved the Turkish government of the need to rely on the private railway that already ran from Damascus to Beirut.

The Haifa branch line was largely based on a failed project from the late 19th century, led by a British company that tried to establish a rail line from Haifa to Damascus, and some of the infrastructure and buildings that remain preserved today date back to that project. The line began at the Haifa Station (later Haifa East), continuing southeast along the foot of Mount Carmel to the Jezreel Valley and the city of Afula. From there, the track descended toward Beit She’an, where it turned north and continued through the Jordan Valley to Samakh, where a second main station was established, also serving the city of Tiberias.

From Samakh the rail line continued eastward, ascending toward the Hauran Plateau through the Yarmouk Valley to Daraa in Southern Syria, where it connected to the main line of the Hijaz Railway. This last section of the line posed complex challenges for the railway engineers, eventually leading to the construction of some 15 bridges and 7 tunnels along the Yarmouk alone.

Once the Haifa branch line was completed, additional short branch lines were built from Afula toward Nablus and from Haifa to Acre and a longer branch line was constructed from the Samaria area to the Sinai Peninsula and toward the Gaza Strip in order to serve the Turkish army during World War I. Despite the fact that the section of the line running through the Jezreel and Jordan valleys was short relative to the overall Hijaz Railway network, this became the most prosperous section of the entire railway, partially thanks to the flourishing Jewish settlement throughout those valleys, which gave the Haifa-Samakh line its Hebrew nickname.

At a time when paved roads were scarce and in poor condition, the locations of some of those valley settlements were selected specifically because of their proximity to the rail line. The residents’ reliance upon the railway increased its influence over their daily lives and produced many varied memories and stories, from jokes about the train’s slowness to a claim that the birth rate in the valley increased due to early morning train whistles.

In the late 1930’s the roads in the area improved and the Jewish settlers began to gravitate more toward private vehicles, largely abandoning the railway. Despite a temporary increase in traffic during World War II, the railway’s revenue plummeted again immediately afterward and especially after the “Night of the Bridges” in 1946, when the connection to Syria and Jordan was severed. The portion of the line to the east of Afula was damaged during the War of Independence in 1948 and in 1951 Israel Railways shut down the line permanently due to lack of demand.

Work is currently beginning (2011) to re-establish the Haifa-Beit She’an line, this time with a modern railway that will allow travelers to reach Beit She’an from Haifa in 45 minutes, as opposed to the 2-hour trip during the British Mandate. In preparation for the project and during its implementation, efforts are also being made to locate and preserve important built remnants of the original line.