Something to write home about – Stamp Club marks 90 years

MORE than one hundred and fifty albums make up Libby Luke’s stamp collection, but that’s only a fraction of what the Bendigo Philatelic Society collectively own.

Formed exactly 90 years ago to the day, the society now brings together some 45 collectors as passionate as their founding members in 1931.

Ms Luke has led the group as president for the last five years, but stamp collecting has been her hobby since she was only a child.

“I have been involved with stamps since I was five. Most kids play with stamps, but they give it up, and I never did.

“It’s a hobby but it becomes part of your life,” she said. “It’s just been all consuming at some stages.”

A particularly special addition to members’ collections will be the society’s specially made 90th anniversary souvenir cover, which Ms Luke said is currently being stamped and postmarked.

She said the group has continued to thrive throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, welcoming three new members in just the last month.

Stamp trading normally undertaken at the group’s monthly meetings has also been reimagined to continue during lockdowns.

“We’ve had lots of people who, when it was all closed down, put together these exchange sheets and they go from person to person, and you take what you would like and that keeps the interest going,” she said.

“We’ve tried to, if people are getting away from it, give them a call and include them.”

Amid the birthday celebrations the society is also looking to track down decedents of their original members, including Mr F E Wood, Dr A L Beischer, Mr A Alderdice, Mr J B Ross, E S Cahill, C E Neal, W H Bain, W J McLay and H Hillman.

Anyone related can contact Ms Luke on 0448 120 066, and more information on the Bendigo Philatelic Society can be found at bendigophilatelic.org.