Vale Betty Van Tenac, FAP, FRPSL

On 19th May 2006, the philatelic world lost a true friend and one of Australia’s best known philatelic figures, with the passing of Bernice Ina Van Tenac, or Betty as she was known to her family and wide circle of friends.  Regrettably Betty had undergone an extended illness and was for five months confined to Royal Adelaide Hospital and later a nursing home in the Adelaide suburb of Welland.  During this period, and despite her then physical restrictions, right to the end this wonderful lady retained a positive attitude to, and generated warm greetings and a happy smile for everyone.  Her philatelic knowledge and generosity in sharing this with anyone who sought, endeared her with all with whom she came into contact.

Betty’s well attended funeral took place on 26th May at her Lockleys family church, St Richards where a commemorative plaque in her memory has been installed.  She is survived, and will be sorely missed by her close-knit family: Peter, husband of over 50 years, their three children Mark, Vicki and Shelley, and four grandchildren.  To them, the philatelic world extends sincere condolences.

Betty was raised in Broken Hill NSW, for which she retained a lifelong affinity.  At the time of her death she was still actively engaged in the preparation of a picture postcard history of that city for entry to Adelaide Stampex 2006.  The exhibition committee has agreed to still accept the entry which will be on show between 18 and 20 August.

Those who were close to Betty never saw her inactive.  She was always on the go!  Betty and Peter together with their son Mark, set up an Adelaide party and bread-making business.  As a result of their endeavours, their family concern boomed.  It is quite remarkable how Betty managed to successfully combine into her most energetic lifestyle this thriving business, plus her exceptional family commitments, plus philately as well.

Betty took up stamp collecting during the 1960s as a means to entertain her children.  Her first clubs were the Woodville Philatelic Society and the Community Philatelic Society in Edwardstown.  Since then she has expanded and maintained her enthusiasm for the hobby, and AAT’s first decimal stamp issues sparked her initial detailed interest in photogravure printing.  She was a tireless and devoted philatelic worker, both as a collector and educator.  Betty loved to encourage other collectors, both beginners and advanced.  Even now, Peter still receives mail seeking Betty’s philatelic assistance.

Better known for her internationally acclaimed gold medal thematic exhibit of “Christmas”, Betty was also actively involved in astrophilately “From Sputnik to Spaceship” and traditional Japan.  Her detailed variety studies of Australian photogravure printings culminated in special praise for her exhibits of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and floral coil issues.  This interest prompted Betty to co-author with Harold Sheath a highly esteemed booklet on the photogravure printing process.  With her 2003 Modern Challenge entry of “US Transport Series Coils” Betty was thrilled to be declared joint winner.  More recently, Betty combined her interest in bread and baking with the development of a social exhibit on wheat.

Betty was a qualified national and international thematic judge, and lectured widely on this class of philately.  With her seminars, she was able to travel extensively to many exhibitions throughout Australia and abroad.  She always expressed particular delight with her many and varied overseas visits to New Zealand, to the Americas: Argentina, USA and Canada, to Europe: Italy and Spain and Asia: India, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and Dubai.  Between 1984 and 1999 Betty was Australia’s delegate to FIP Thematic Commission.  In this capacity she developed a warm friendship with the doyens of thematic philately, Giancarlo Morolli (Italy; FIP Thematic Bureau President 1972 to 2004) and Mary Ann Owens of New York.

Philatelic society memberships included several Adelaide clubs, including the Philatelic Society of South Australia and its associated Commonwealth Specialists’ Study Group.  Membership was also held in The Australian Airmail Society and in the Royal Philatelic Societies of both London and Victoria.  Betty attained fellowship status with the former.

Perhaps Betty’s widest achievement towards philatelic acclaim - and one for which she will long be remembered - was her prolific authorship, especially in the field of thematics.  Her long running monthly advice column in “Stamp News” sparked immense interest and enthusiasm, particularly for the beginner.  She was always seeking interesting topics and tidbits to illustrate her column.  Many of us can recall lending Betty stamps and postmarks for this purpose.  They always came back!  Betty also prepared articles for “Philately from Australia”, the American Topical Association and for many years was editor of the Philatelic Association of South Australia’s “Stamp Talk”.

For three years Betty served as the philatelic representative on Australia Post’s Stamp Advisory Committee, the first (and so far, only) woman to have done so.  In 1995 she was admitted as a Fellow of the Australian Philatelic Order - again the only female to have so far achieved this honour.  Of this Betty was especially proud.  And Betty, we are proud of you.

Rest peacefully.