In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, Australia Post pays tribute to Australian women, past and present, and their contribution during times of war with the release of a new stamp issue.
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Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt said: “This stamp issue, the fourth in a series commemorating a century since World War I, acknowledges the important roles women have played in war and conflict.”
Prior to and including World War I, the involvement of women in conflict zones was almost entirely limited to nursing.
In World War II, women served in the nursing corps of the Navy, Army and Air Force, with other roles also open to women, including the Women’s Land Army and the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force.
Today all roles in the ADF are open to women.
• World War I (1914–18) saw more than 3,000 nurses join the war effort, most serving abroad with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) while others served with organisations like the Red Cross. Women on the home front also made an immense contribution.
• World War II (1939–45) saw women serving in the nursing corps of the ADF with other roles opening up for women. During World War II, 3,477 AANS nurses served, with more women joining the auxiliary services and volunteer organisations.
• Korean War (1950–53) and Vietnam War (1962–73) saw Australian servicewomen involved in both conflicts. During the Vietnam War, Australian women civilians participated in a number of roles: from members of civilian medical teams, Red Cross support, and entertainers, to Embassy staff and journalists.
• Afghanistan War (2001–present) and Iraq War (2003–11) involved women serving on active duty in the Middle East, including the Gulf War (1990–91), in critical operations as pilots, medics, combat engineers and other roles.
• Peacekeeping has involved Australian servicewomen active in peacekeeping forces in many countries including East Timor, Indonesia, Korea, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the Solomon Islands.
The five domestic base rate ($1) stamps are designed by Melbourne-based, Stacey Zass of Page 12 Design.
The products associated with this stamp issue are a minisheet, first day cover, stamp pack, medallion cover boxed set, postal and numismatic cover, prestige cover, booklet of 10 x $1 self-adhesive stamps, five gutter strips of 10 x $1 stamps with design and a set of five maxicards.
The A Century of Service: Women in War stamp issue is available now at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.