Putting their stamp on things for 120 years

THE Ballarat Philatelic Society has celebrated one hundred and twenty years since its first recorded meeting.

Group members met at the Invermay Recreation Reserve to reminisce and share their passion for stamp collecting, with attendees traveling from Brighton, Warrnambool, Maryborough and Bendigo for the event.

The club’s initial meeting was held in 1904, making it one of the oldest philatelic societies in Victoria.

President Pat Tracey said the longevity of the club is due to the passion of those involved.

“You’ve got to have members who are committed, and we have about 25 very regular attendees at meetings,” he said.

“COVID was a real challenge, but we have done very well to stay together as that group.

“It’s a common interest, that can be collections or friendships, and I believe that’s something we’re missing in our society today.”

Life member Keith Sanders began collecting stamps when he was eight years old, and he has been a part of the society for 42 years.

“I hadn’t actually been a member of any club but when I came to Ballarat there was an advert in the paper and I responded to it,” he said.

“Some of us have been in the club for a very long time.”

Despite stamp collecting becoming less popular among younger generations, vice-president Cliff Matthews said the practice still holds value.

“You can learn a lot of social history, political history, geography and general history,” he said. “It’s all there in stamps.”