Bernard Beston of Brisbane, who has been a
stamp collector since his youth became involved in organized philately in
the 1960s. Since that time he has keenly supported and tirelessly promoted
the hobby at all levels.
Bernie has been a member of the PS of Queensland for some 40 years, serving as President on 4 occasions. He has been a member of the Queensland Philatelic Council continuously since its inception in 1985 serving in various executive offices.
Bernie served with distinction on the APF for 13 years between 1984 and 1999 as variously Secretary, International Officer, Vice President and President. He was heavily involved in the organization of five National Exhibitions staged in Queensland and was President of the Organizing Committee of Olymphilex 2000 in Sydney.
Bernie served as Vice President of FIAP for 10 years [1985-95] and involved himself in training and teaching seminars in all but 4 Asian countries during the past 15 years.
He has been a prolific exhibitor since 1979 with a broad range of exhibits covering Postal History, Thematics, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately and Maximaphily. Most notable awards at FIP World Exhibitions from an extensive lists are FIP Gold Medals for Queensland Postal History 1841-1891 [London 2000], Postal Stationery of Queensland [Belgica 01] and Postal Stationery of British Guiana [Espaņa 2000].
As an accredited national judge since 1982, Bernie has served on at least 20 national juries, several times as Chairman. After serving his international jury apprenticeship in 1984, he has served on 5 FIP and 10 FIAP juries, being jury chairman at Hong Kong 87, Jakarta 95, Hong Kong 97 and Australia 99.
In the past two decades Bernie has penned innumerable philatelic articles which have been published in a wide range of philatelic journals and catalogues.
Bernie has undertaken duties as State Commissioner, and six times as a national commissioner. A long-serving member of the AP Production Marketing and Advisory Committee from 1985 to 1998, the FIP Commission delegate for Maximaphily 1990-2002, and since last year for Postal Stationery. Bernie has also acted as a philatelic consultant to the postal administrations of Norfolk Island, Fiji, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vietnam for many years.
In short, a dedicated philatelist who has given exemplary service to Australian philately over several decades and a most deserving recipient of the highest award Australian philately can bestow on him.