The latest recipient of the SPAN Award, for Services to Philately at the National Level, is Barbara Bartsch from South Australia.

Barbara has been a tireless worker for philately at both the State and National level over many years, but it is her work in the area of Youth at the National Level that has won her the honour of being presented with the SPAN Award.

Most readers of APF News would be aware of our sister publication, The Young Collector, also produced by the APF specifically for young people.  Barbara has been its joint co-ordinator, together with the incumbent APF Youth Development Officer, for the last 8 years.  The June 2009 issue of The Young Collector, the 36th issue, is most likely the 25th issue with which Barbara has been involved, given that there are three issues published per year.

Often, this labour of love has involved many hours of sourcing material, sometimes writing and sometimes requesting a key person conversant in the chosen topic for the issue, to write the lead article.  In addition, the regular features of Stamp Detectives and Word Search have been Barbara's "babies".

Every issue over the last eight years or so has been taken to Michael Walker at Australia Post in Adelaide for discussion prior to computer typesetting.  Barbara has always been in the front line of this co-ordination role with prime responsibility for proof reading prior to going to print.

In addition to this important Youth Philately role at the National level, Barbara has often been a helper at National Exhibitions (as well as at the Australia 99 & Pacific Explorer 05 International Exhibitions) in the Youth Corner.  For the Adelaide-based National Exhibitions in 1997, 1999, 2003, 2006 & 2008, Barbara was heavily involved in the organisation of these Youth Corners.  Her experience in running stamp clubs at three local schools has stood her well in creating interesting activities in which to engage children.

Barbara has also been a regular contributor to the Youth Section in APF News, reporting on the youth scene and activities conducted within South Australia.  Barbara was a regular attendee and active participant in the Youth Conferences co-ordinated by the APF's YDO over the last decade.

Other services to Philately at the National level that Barbara performs include judging appointments and being the FIP Commission Delegate for Maximaphily.

Congratulations Barbara on your achievement in being presented with the SPAN Award.  May for work with young collectors long continue into the future.

The award was presented to Barbara by outgoing APF President, Gary Brown during the 2009 Annual General Meeting held in Canberra on 29 August.

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The APF Services to Philately Award (at the National Level) or SPAN was established by the Australian Philatelic Federation in order to allow the APF, State Councils, Philatelic Societies, the Philatelic Trade and other organisations and individuals to:

• recognise outstanding service in a specific field, area or program at the national level;

• acknowledge major contributions above and beyond the stated requirements; and

• honour the unwaivering commitment of those who encourage and inspire people of all ages to become involved in organised philately in a wide variety of ways.

The acronym SPAN reflects the wide span or range that this service can cover.  The Award is in the form of a plaque and certificate.