Youth Philately around Australia
[ from APF News, November 2007 ]

YOUTH ASEAN STAMP EXHIBITION
at The Plaza, National Library Singapore
31 August to 2 September 2007

YAS Exhibition 2007 was an ASEAN project, one of a series of events hosted by Singapore and other countries to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN, coordinated by the Singapore Postal Museum, and supported by the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately.

The purpose was to foster closer inter-ASEAN relationships and understanding amongst youth through philatelic activities and to promote stamp collecting as an educational and learning tool.

A preliminary competition in three age groups between teams of four youths was judged in each country with the winning teams exhibits judged in Singapore, accompanied by the leader of each team plus a commissioner/delegate. The theme of the exhibits was to be based any aspect of ASEAN countries: development and history, culture, economy, education, technology and people, using a minimum of 60% philatelic material on each page with non philatelic material of not more than 40%. All exhibits were required to have a title/content page written in English, the remaining pages could be written in the official language of the participating country.

An invitation to participate was extended to Australia, but owing to the lack of both time to run preliminary competitions and youth involved in stamp collecting in the 12 to 18 year age group, three of our top youth exhibits were accepted as guest displays.

They were: Chris Malam (Birds & Their Habitats; Australia and Territories), Andrew Verdich (Moving Mail), and Andrea Craigie (Self Adhesive Definitive Stamps in Australia 1990-99).

Venue: The Plaza is a semi-enclosed area between the National Library and Performing Arts Centre, situated on Victoria Street, a major multi-lane access road in the Arts & Heritage district in central Singapore.

Exhibits: 69 Competitive frames plus 28 frames from invited guests, plus the Singapore Youth Competition of approx 50 frames. The ASEAN competition entries were mounted in the frames on Thursday evening and removed on Sunday evening.

Judging: Took place off-site at the SPM on the first day of the exhibition by three teams comprising commissioners/delegates, and members of the Singapore Philatelic Association led by FIAP youth judges. Generally the standard was very high with 9 Gold awards, 8 Silver and 6 Bronze. The local competition was pre-judged elsewhere prior to the exhibition, invited displays were not judged.

Prize-giving: Held on Saturday afternoon at the exhibition, preceded by entertainment provided by youth groups of Chinese and Indian dancers, and a Malay instrumental band; the presentations were made by Dr Balaji Sadasivan (Senior Minister of State; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Information, Communication and the Arts). I was introduced to the Minister in front of the Aussie frames, and he expressed his appreciation for the participation of our youth exhibitors and the standard of their exhibits.

Programme: a full programme was organised, including on Friday a luncheon & reception, viewing of the exhibits, a visit to the Singapore Philatelic Museum and dinner, plus judging. Saturday provided morning and evening sight-seeing tours, the cultural programme and prize-giving, and Exhibition dinner at the National Library POD (a glass reception area 13 floors up!)

Summary: It was an interesting experience working with peoples of different races and nationalities, though some of the Delegates and Jurors I had met at other exhibitions.  Being an Aussie caused a stir at times and young children would often come up for a closer look. Many of the younger children had difficulty with English, likewise for me with other languages, but we managed to make ourselves understood.

Our lack of a national costume caused some comment, most of the delegates/commissioners and young people wore very attractive national dress.

My thanks to Australia Post for providing stamps and covers featuring Aussie native animals - they were a real hit and provided a lot of animated discussion! Koalas are now passé - Wombats and Tasmanian Devils are now all the rage! Why? Because they would make lovely cuddly pets!

Click here to read our State by State wrap up of youth activities from around Australia.