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| Philatelic Challenges |
The Australian Philatelic Federation generates philatelic development and interest by auspicing and promoting Challenges. Some challenges are initiated by the APF which sets the rules, timing and exhibition at which the challenge culminates. Challenges can also be initiated by other philatelic bodies including special interest societies. In most cases a challenge requires a philatelist to start a new collection and exhibit it at a nominated National Exhibition however the rules vary from challenge from challenge.
There are broadly two types of challenge:
Australasian Challenge - a team based competition held every two years between the States and Territories of Australia and the two main islands of New Zealand; and
Theme specific challenges - which generally occur once only and are entered on an individual exhibitor basis.
Australasian Challenge
The Australasian Challenge was first held in 2002 and is presently scheduled to be held every two years. Entry is via the appropriate State or Territory Philatelic Council or New Zealand Philatelic Federation. It is planned to conduct the 2010 Australasian Challenge in Mandurah, Western Australia from 19 - 21 November (details subject to confirmation)
Previous Australasian Challenges
Year |
Exhibition where held |
Winner |
APF News Coverage |
On-Line Report |
2008 |
Tarapex 2008 |
New South Wales |
March 2009 |
|
2006 |
Canberra Stampshow 2006 |
NZ (North Island) |
July 2006 |
|
2004 |
Canberra Stampshow 2004 |
ACT |
August 2004 |
|
2002 |
Canberra Stampshow 2002 |
WA |
July 2002 |
Other Challenges
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GAFFA (Great After Forty Five Aero) Challenge
Just like Gaffa tape is used to fix anything that needs mending the GAFFA challenge is to fix up the lack of aerophilately exhibits in Australia. This challenge to come to a climax in early 2012 at an Australian National Exhibition is to collect and exhibit aerophilately after the end of World War II in 1945. For more details and to register your participation, visit our GAFFA challenge information page.
This Philatelic Challenge from the Australian Philatelic
Federation aims to promote a period that has been neglected for some time and is
in most cases still affordable for the dedicated Challenger. The Challenge is being coordinated by prominent Australian
philatelist, Malcolm Groom, who has produced the Challenge's first newsletter. In
it, you'll find lots of tips for potential exhibits, a list of initial
Challengers who have already signed up, and the rules which read as follows: A Traditional study of issues appearing between 1891 and
1914 Based on APF Traditional class exhibiting rules 3 to 8 frames Anyone can enter The Challenge will be held as part of a full National
exhibition (expected to be in Sydney in 2011) Does not have to be a new exhibit Novice (first time National) exhibitors will get special
recognition by way of prizes
100 Years On - A Traditional Philatelic Challenge
For more details including the Challenge registration form, just download Newsletter #1.
French Challenge Revisited
The French Challenge Revisited was staged as part of the Tasmania 2003 modified national exhibition held at the Wrest Point Convention Centre in Hobart in 2003 with 15 exhibitors taking part. Coverage of Tasmania 2003 and the French Challenge Revisited appeared in the July 2003 issue of APF News.
MECCA Challenge
The Mecca Challenge concerned the philately of a country in the Middle East from Turkey to Iran and from Yemen to Iraq in any period after 1945. The challenge was launched at Canberra Stampshow 2000 and culminated at Canberra Stampshow 2006 with 8 exhibitors participating.
Dot Com (".Com") Challenge
The Dot Com challenge, also sometimes referred to as the Modern Challenge, was launched following the conclusion of the first challenge in New Zealand in 1997. It was staged as part of the Tasmania 2003 modified national exhibition held in Hobart in April 2003 with 24 exhibitors taking part.
French Challenge
The first French Challenge was held as part of Canberra Stampshow 2000 with 23 exhibitors participating. The exhibits were judged by an international panel which included Jack Blanc from France and John Lievsay from the USA as well as two Australians. The results ranged from a Vermeil to Certificates of Merit. It was largely this that sparked interest in a second French Challenge that was later held as part of Tasmania 2003.
Coverage of Canberra Stampshow 2000 and the French Challenge was reported in the June 2000 issue of APF News.
Great Pacific Challenge
The Great Pacific Challenge (to promote Pacific philately) was held as part of Canpex 2000, a New Zealand National Philatelic Exhibition held in Christchurch in October 2000. Coverage of Canpex 2000 and the Great Pacific Challenge was reported in the February 2001 issue of APF News.
Great Australian Stationery Challenge (GASC)
The GASC was held in New Zealand in 1997.