To read the first in a series of articles published in Stamp
News (February 2010 edition), click here.| Welcome to the APF Website |
Welcome to www.apf.org.au
If this is your first visit to the APF website, then you're in luck - you've just discovered the most comprehensive source of up-to-the-minute information on organised philately from Around Australia.
Stamp News Articles
To read the first in a series of articles published in Stamp
News (February 2010 edition), click here.
| What is Organised Philately ? |
The Three Legs of the Stool
Organised philately is often likened to a three legged stool. Like a three legged stool, each leg is vital for it to function properly. In this analogy, the three legs are the collectors, the trade and the postal administrations.
Clubs and Societies
Collectors contribute to organised philately in many ways. For most, it is through membership of a philatelic club or society who are in turn affiliated with their State or Territory Philatelic Council.
Australia's State and Territory Philatelic / Stamp Councils provide a wide range of services and facilities many of which are free of charge. These vary from Council to Council but typically include organisation of State level exhibitions, exhibiting and judges training courses and workshops, youth activities, display frames for hire and promotion of stamp clubs and societies. Some Councils are fortunate to own their own premises and are therefore able to provide meeting facilities, philatelic libraries and other activities. All councils are staffed by volunteers from their respective philatelic communities.
The Trade
There are actually several philatelic and numismatic dealers' associations currently operating in Australia, however it is the Australasian Philatelic Traders' Association or APTA which is formally associated with the Australian Philatelic Federation.
The Trade provides the vital and necessary link between collectors. This is done in many ways, through stamp shops, mail order businesses, auctions, and by attendance at exhibitions and fairs. As a trade organisation, APTA is active in developing organised philately by organising shows, sponsoring special prizes at exhibitions, and working with the APF to develop and implement a range of initiatives.
Postal Administrations
Australia Post is Australia's official postal administration. Australia Post works closely with the APF in promoting collecting, research, exhibiting, and the like.
| What will you find on this website ? |
A snap shot guide to www.apf.org.au
(click the 
tile to transfer to the required page)
Collecting - houses a range of brochures, links to articles and other guides
to the basics of stamp collecting and philatelic exhibiting.
APF News - gives you a summary of the latest edition of
APF News, the
official newsletter of the APF published each March, July and November. Many of our more popular articles
from previous issues can be found here. There's also a checklist guide to
each issue of APF News since 2005 with links to many of the articles and
features.
Products - the APF stocks a
wide range of philatelic products including
archival display pages, page protectors and exhibition souvenirs. You can
download an order form to order your requirements.
Auctions - a convenient base from which to check out all the offerings from
Australasia's leading on-line auction houses.
Links - our links page aims to give you the most comprehensive listing of
Australian based philatelic websites. You can also use our links page as
your base for surfing the internet.
Photo Gallery - displays photos from philatelic events from around
Australia.
Exhibition Timetable - lists upcoming philatelic exhibitions in Australia
as well as international exhibitions in which Australia is able to participate.
Exhibition Results - lists awards achieved at Australian National and
modified National exhibitions as well as awards achieved by Australians
participating in overseas philatelic exhibitions.
Exhibition Classes - provides information about the various classes of
philatelic exhibiting.
One Up Club - an initiative of the APF to assist experienced exhibitors
attain higher exhibition medal levels.
Showman - Showman is a computer program and database designed to help
set up and run philatelic exhibitions in Australia; our website houses
instructions and information required by exhibition Secretaries who have been
assigned responsibility for the use of Showman.
Youth - The APF's youth website houses an exciting wealth of
competitions, activities, information and advice for young collectors. There is a network of Youth Development Officers in each State and Territory who
can also help you support our young collectors.
Research Assistance - the APF provides a free research assistance service
for those collectors and exhibitors who require assistance in researching their particular area of interest.
Forum - an initiative of the APF that provide collectors and philatelists
with a convenient means of seeking input and assistance with a given project,
area of research or problem where the information required is unlikely to be
available through conventional research methods, and to make the eventual
outcome of that request known to others.
Awards - the Australian Philatelic Order and the SPAN Awards
recognise and honour philatelists who have made significant contributions to
organised philately in Australia at the national level. Here you can view
the honour roll and find out when and where the next awards will be held.
Snippets - where do you put useful bits and pieces that don't fit anywhere
else? On our Snippets page of course.
Contacting Us - lists all the key contacts of the APF, almost all of
whom are contactable by e-mail for your convenience.
State and Territory
Guide -
Lists philatelic clubs and societies, stamps fairs and
others special events, and services provided by your State or Territory
Council. Simply click on the green box at the
top of the screen.
Archives - a convenient place to find articles and reports not stored
elsewhere on our website.
State and Territory Pages
Click on the green State and Territory home page tiles above for details of clubs, fairs, philatelic Council and other information.
| APF Mission Statement |
The mission of the Australian Philatelic Federation is:
| Where can I find out more ? |
Clubs and Societies
Your nearest club or society is always keen to accept visitors and new members to their meetings. Check out our clubs and societies guide - just click on your State or Territory green button above.
State and Territory Councils
To find about about services and programs provided by your State or Territory Council, simply click on your State or Territory button above, then look for your State / Territory Council name and simply click again.
APF News
APF News is published three times per year (normally in March, July and November) and is a free service from the Australian Philatelic Federation. APF News is distributed widely throughout the philatelic community including stamp clubs and societies, stamp dealers, and other interested persons and organisations. Individuals unable to obtain a copy from their local stamp club or dealer are welcome to request they be placed on the mailing list to obtain their own copy. Requests can be mailed to The Editor, APF News, John Moore P.O Box 528, Cardiff, NSW.
Links to Other Websites
Visit our links page as a convenient base from which to search the internet for clubs, dealers, exhibitions and special interest sites.
Research Officers
The APF Research Assistance Service is designed to assist collectors in learning about their fields of interest and helping find solutions to difficult philatelic problems and by seeking to provide information not readily available to a collector. Please note, this service is not for expertisation of stamps or for valuation purposes.
| Couldn't find what you wanted to know ? |
If you couldn't find what you wanted to know on our website, e-mail the webmaster and let us know. The APF is always keen to improve its website.