World Youth Day - major world event captured on new stamps

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As Australia prepares for what is anticipated to be the single largest gathering of people at one place in the country’s history, Australia Post will acknowledge World Youth Day with three new stamps.

With some 250,000 people expected to participate in each day’s activities, and a record-breaking 500,000 to attend the closing Mass, World Youth Day is geared to be one of the largest events ever staged in Australia.

Australia Post Group Manager of Philatelic, Mr. Noel Leahy, believes the calibre and size of World Youth Day makes it a fitting subject for this Special Event stamp issue release.

“Australia Post has a history of acknowledging such major international events in Australia including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. We regard World Youth Day as a huge global gathering in Australia worthy of similar recognition” said Mr. Leahy.

Launching nationwide on 4th March 2008, four months ahead of the World Youth Day event, all three stamps use a metallic ink which gives them a rare pearl-like effect.

The 50c, $1.35 and $2.00 stamps use imagery of Pope Benedict XVI to symbolically represent the World Youth Day 2008 event, held for the first time in Australia and attracting visitors from all around the world.

World Youth Day aims to promote the building of friendships across the world, and the nurturing of hope amongst all people, denominations and cultures.

These products are available from all participating Australia Post outlets around Australia, via mail order on 1800 331 794 or online at www.auspost.com.au/wyd.