Canberra Stampshow 2000 was held from Saturday 18 to Monday 20 March at Dickson College, on the northern outskirts of Canberra. It was a modified National level exhibition, with five classes at National level - the French Challenge (Traditional), Polar Philately, First Day Covers, Postal History and Maximaphily - plus the usual State level classes, and Postcards. The organisers received a total of 86 entries occupying 361 frames, including one literature entry. The exhibition was laid out in a spacious fashion in the College gymnasium.

A feature of the exhibition was the support given to the French Challenge class by members of the French Challenge - 23 entries were received from Australia and New Zealand. 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.

There were 11 entries in the Polar class, and 13 in Postal History, and the Best Exhibit in National classes (excluding the French Challenge) came from this class.

The number of entries in the First Day Cover class was disappointing, but it featured an excellent entry on first day and earliest usage of New Zealand stamps.

The 21 entries in the State classes included two gold medal exhibits. However, there were few first time exhibitors, and it was disappointing that there were no Youth entries, and only one literature entry. The organising Committee is very appreciative of the support given to the French Challenge class, and the Stampshow, by the Embassy of France. The Embassy paid for Jack Blanc's travel, and donated a major prize. The Ambassador of France officially opened the show on Saturday 18 March, and the Embassy and Alliance Francaise de Canberra arranged for a visiting troupe of dancers and musicians from New Caledonia to perform at the opening ceremony. They provided a touch of colour and exotic sounds not usually seen and heard at stamp show openings! The Embassy also sponsored the reception held after the opening, and the Ambassador, accompanied by the two overseas judges, inspected the French Challenge exhibits.

Dealers

There were 29 dealer stands in the College Hall. The support from overseas was good, with four UK dealers, and three from New Zealand. Stands were set up in the area outside the hall for Australia Post and for Norfolk Island Post, who shared their stand with representatives from Olymphilex 2000. Australia Post provided a personalised stamp machine, and photographs were taken of visitors for processing onto the special Canberra Stampshow 2000 personalised sheetlet, which was available only at the show. Australia Post also had at its stand the bilingual English-French postmarker designed for the event.

Program

A number of societies and special interest groups met on Saturday and Sunday. The Judges’ Critique on Sunday morning attracted a very large and keen audience in the gymnasium. It was preceded by the signing of the National Judges’ Register by Darryl Fuller, John Hill, Mark Jurisich, Hans Karman and Peter Wood. There were apologies from Alan Salisbury and Steve Wilson, neither of whom was able to attend. The NAPE meeting was very well attended. A talk by Michael Moore, illustrated by material in frames from his collection of Australian unofficial first day covers, attracted only a few listeners. A meeting of APF Youth Coordinators from all States was held on Saturday and Sunday, and they were able to take part in a number of activities during the weekend.

Social side

A ‘sell-out’ attraction was a ‘Faux Palmares’ indefatigably organised and run by Bernie Beston, with occasional assistance from Edric Druce. It was the culmination of the French Challenge, and was held at a local restaurant, which produced a menu with a French flavour. Prizes were presented to the first three place getters in the Challenge, and ‘spoof’ prizes were presented to all Challengers. Deryn Druce announced the subject of the next Challenge during the evening. The verdict of all present was – a night not to be forgotten, and a send-up of all the ‘deadly serious’ awards dinners you’ve ever attended!

The organisers were disappointed that the Juniors’ Corner was not well used during the show. Monday 20 March had been advertised as ‘Kids’ Day’ but plainly there were plenty of other Canberra Festival attractions to absorb young ones on the day. We wish to thank visiting Junior Coordinators from interstate who helped with running the Juniors’ Corner.

Summary

The organisers would like to thank Australia Post and Norfolk Island Post for their excellent support, also all the other sponsors for their contributions. We are very grateful to the ‘unofficial carriers’ who assisted greatly with the transport of exhibits from all parts of Australia and New Zealand. The help of interstate friends in mounting the exhibits on a very hot and trying day was most welcome.

Canberra Stampshow 2000 followed the pattern of the previous eleven biennial Canberra shows, with some experimental classes offered. It may be one of the first Australian exhibitions where two overseas exhibitors were notified of their results by email! The organisers can be congratulated on a friendly and well run show, with the good atmosphere of philatelic fellowship obvious at all times.

Competitive Exhibition
SP   denotes Special Prize.

French Challenge (National Level Classes)

Other National Level Classes

Postal History

Maximaphily

First Day Covers

Polar Philately

State Classes

The complete list of special prizes and their recipients was published in the June 2000 issue of APF News. 

[Source: APF News, June 2000 ]