Norman Sheppard is well known for his association with the Australian Commonwealth Collectors Club of New South Wales, having been the Editor of its Bulletin since its inception in 1962, and a member of its Committee since the early 1960's, including a term as President.  He edited the NSW Philatelist and served on the executive of the Philatelic Society of New South Wales, including 17 years as President.  He is currently an executive member of the Philatelic Association of New South Wales (Philas), serving as President from 1973 to 1976.

Norman's main collecting interest is the Australian Commonwealth, especially the King George V side face issues.  He also collects Russia and has an extensive collection of World War I Russian censorship markings as well as comprehensive collections from imperial Russia and the earliest years of the Soviet Union.  He has published extensively and was part of the team which recorded in detail the die for the Kangaroo and Map stamp.  In collaboration with Don Cox of Newcastle, he recorded the "AR" (registration, Advice of Receipt) system in Australia.  He has been associated with the Philatelic Society of New South Wales works on the Papuan Lakatoi series and, since 1984, has been convenor of the Philas Publications and Research Committee, which co-ordinated the production and publication of the Postal History of NSW 1788-1901.

He was a member of the exhibition committees for Sydpex '80 and '88, and has been a national judge since 1983, where his expertise lies in the field of philatelic literature.  At State level he has been Chairman of the Jury at several philatelic exhibitions.