Australian exhibitors entering future overseas exhibitions will require Customs export and re-entry permits for their collections, which our Commissioners need to arrange up to two weeks prior to departure.  To this end, as Australian Commissioner I would very much like to thank all our seventeen participants for their prompt provision of entries, fees and inventories, which greatly facilitated my completion of customs formalities both here and in Singapore.  Fees for this service are currently being met by the APF as part of their frame levy surcharge (now $20 per frame). I would strongly advise exhibitors against personally carrying future exhibits, for without assistance from a Customs Agent, all the necessary paperwork could prove most onerous!

Singapore's President S R Nathan was patron of, and opened the exhibition.  Anticipated 100,000 WSC exhibition attendees probably fell a little short of expectations, and I would estimate over the course of five days, between 60,000 and 80,000 visitors enjoyed free exhibition admittance.  Many attendees were Australian, and it was great to see local collectors support this Asian located exhibition.  Hall layout was superb, with spectacular tropical floral arrangements enhancing the spacious décor for three museum created galleries, 58 postal administrations/agencies, 39 international dealers and 67 frames of Court of Honour gems comprising international Grand Prix and Monte Carlo Club invited exhibits.  Additionally 371 competitive exhibits (1,984 frames) of the world's premier exhibits were on show.  131 Literature class publications were also featured.  Ongoing youth activities were a major event feature.

The 200 frame (25 entry) World Stamp Championship division of Large Gold traditional philately collections included three Australian exhibitors, these being Edward Wittenberg (Vic): "Hungary - Traditional Philately 1850-1871", Roland Geitenbeek (Vic): "The Woodblocks of the Colony of Victoria 1854-1880" and Arthur Gray (NSW): "The Kangaroo Issues and Related Essays of Australia".  Three final Championship places were awarded resulting in winner Surajit Gongvatana (Thailand) "Siam"; runner-up Saverio Imperato (Italy) "Tuscany"; 2nd runner-up Koichi Sato (Japan) "Tasmania". Grand Award went to Hugo Goeggel (Colombia) "Classic Ecuador 1865-1880".

As Commissioner I was particularly impressed with the style of frame used in Singapore. Mounting and dismounting was a breeze, and frame security locking was simple yet effective.  All medals were presented on a progressive ongoing daily basis at the exhibition hall stage, although some confusion arose over which classes would occur on which day.  Communication between administration and commissioners/exhibitors was sometimes lacking!  Presentations at the Palmares function were limited to jury medals and to Championship winners. Medals themselves featured the Republic's merlion symbol, but were unnecessarily large and heavy.  Their attached neck ribbon was more than likely inspired by the concurrent Athens Olympic Games!