Exhibition Report by Ross Wood, Australian Commissioner

FISA, the International Federation of Aerophilatelic Societies, is a federation of about 30 airmail societies worldwide of which the Australian Airmail Society is a member.  The organizing committee of Beijiing 2009 AEROPEX asked FISA to participate in this aerophilatelic exhibition and grant patronage.

Beijing 2009 AEROPEX was a competitive exhibition organized to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, the centenary of Chinese aerial activities and the 90th year of the first official Chinese airmail.

The opening of the exhibition in the China National Post and Postage Stamp Museum, Beijing (about 150 metres from the Beijing International Hotel where I was staying) had an official opening at 10am.  The exhibition was opened by the Minister of Posts, and other dignitaries spoke about the exhibition.  Photographs were then taken of the Jurors and Commissioners and we were then allowed to look at the exhibits, as the exhibition was not open to the public until 12 noon.

There were commissioners from Germany, Poland Roumania, China, United States and New Zealand and Australia as well as judge/commissioners from Spain and Italy.

There were 32 Multi Framed Exhibits (including one Youth), 13 Single Frames and 13 Literature exhibits with medals ranging from Large Gold (2) to Silver-Bronze (1 Literature entry).  There were also a large number of Court of Honour Exhibits making a total of over 300 frames.

The Grand Prix National was won by Gang Wei of China with Airpost of China 1920-1943, the Grand Prix International was won by Luis Alemany of Spain with Aerophilately of Spain and the Best One Frame was won by Erica Genge of New Zealand with The Royal Air Force Desert Air Service.

Australian Medal Results