Victoria 99 was a State Philatelic Exhibition with National One-Frame Class and was staged in conjunction with the ANDA Coin, Note and Stamp Show at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre from 22 to 24 October 1999.  The Victorian Philatelic Council (VPC) had decided to include the National One-Frame class in view of the limited inclusion of the class in recent and upcoming exhibitions in Australia.  Twenty one entries were received in this class which included three from Bangladesh by special arrangement.

In recent years, the VPC's annual Congress had included a competitive exhibition but limited only to one frame entries.  In 1999, the VPC extended this to a State class exhibition.  This move was motivated principally by two factors: firstly, the lack of other regular opportunities to exhibit at State level in Victoria, and secondly, to provide valuable judging experience to recently trained judges in Victoria.

Pictured left:  Foreground - John MacDonnell (right) works with five new State level apprentice judges (L-R): James Shaw, Charles Bromser, Rodney Perry (both obscured), Gary Brown and Ernest Meggysey. Background (L-R) - Betty Van Tenac, John Sinfield, Geoff Kellow and Ray Kelly (standing).

The VPC was also mindful that there are presently numerous inter-club competitions in Victoria which are providing club members with their first opportunity to exhibit but who are now looking to gain further experience before preparing to exhibit at national level.

ANDA kindly made available a number of free day tickets for members of clubs affiliated with the VPC so as they would not be at any disadvantage as a result of having their Congress at a fair at which an admission charge applied.  The Congress program included numerous guest speakers including representatives from many of Victoria's stamp clubs.

In 1998, the VPC had introduced a schools stamp poster competition in the Gippsland region with the finalists on show at the VPC Congress which was held in Warragul that year.  Laurie Smyth from the Sale and District Stamp and Coin Club (pictured far right), the main driving force in the field of the competition was keen to continue with the initiative and so organised for another competition in the region in 1999.

Pictured Right: Charles Bromser (left), Victoria's Youth Development Officer who helped judge the 1999 posters with Laurie Smyth.  Australia Post Year Books were awarded tor each grade winner in the competition courtesy of Australia Post.

Victoria 2000 will again be staged in conjunction with ANDA. The exhibition and State Philatelic Congress will be held at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Avenue from 20 - 22 October.  All classes will be available at State level plus there will be a National class in Postal Stationery.

Special Prizes

Victorian Philatelic Council Prize: (“Gaffer” Toby Jug) Made by Sylvac Ceramics – hand made and hand painted:
Arturs Neboiss  (for Best State Entry)

Australia Post Prize: Bronze Frog Hand crafted by Chris Gavins:
Peter Jaffé  (for National One Frame Competition)

Australian Philatelic Federation Prize: “Hannibal Crossing the Alps” By J. M. W. Turner, R.A. Original framed water coloured engraving, circ 1850:
John Rennie

Australasian Philatelic Traders’ Association Prize: $65 Voucher:
Mark Jurisich

National One-Frame Class