Everything is going on as usual.

The new group at the McGregor Primary School is very enthusiastic and Victor has up to 25 attending at one time.

George's country clubs are doing well, but it is school holidays now and there will not be as much activity during the last term.

Those groups attached to clubs have not done anything different this term, but played games with stamp conservation in mind. Collecting is the essence of these groups.

Librarians continue to be the main mentors for most of the school groups except for St Paul's where the Convenor advises that the after school group fluctuates from less than ten to over 20 from the middle school. This is where the main interest lies and they like to exchange stamps with each other and play stamp related games such as stamp bingo. Prizes are always covers or packets of stamps. They also build up points which allow them to win other prizes such as stock books or hagner sheets.

Young collectors were mostly absent from the last APTA show here in Brisbane. I think the huge increase in parking fees by the RNA would have deterred many parents who were not collectors themselves from attending to satisfy the wants of their young collectors. Those who did attend entered a competition where they had to identify an error in a line of frames which had philatelic items on display. Three youngsters correctly found the page which had been mounted upside down! Goodie bags and prizes were awarded to those attending.

We have not found that including the Young Collector on the APF website has resulted in recipients of the printed magazine asking us not to send them a copy. Time will tell how this will impact on the numbers required by this State.

John Panckridge, Secretary of the Tasmanian Stamp Council is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Ken Stocks as its State Youth Officer. Ken is a life member of the Glenorchy Stamp Club and together with Jack Sudmeyer has been actively involved in a stamp development program involving six southern Tasmanian primary schools for the past thirteen years. More details of this work will be given in the next issue Of Youth News.

In the meantime Ken would like to acknowledge the numerous donations of stamps from local businesses which help keep the program running. Thanks in particular to Ross Ewington of "Tasmanian Stamp Auctions" who recently donated a large box of European stamps".

This month at both the Eastern suburbs primary schools, East Marden and Thorndon Park Primary schools we had a busy lesson. First we studied definitive and commemorative stamps as listed in our Program, and then we talked about starting a collection and how to display and write up your stamps so you can show them to other people. To display and talk about your stamps you need to do a Title Page - a page that tells everyone what your collection is all about and shows how you have developed this collection.

First the children had to decide what they wanted to write up. And where the collection would start and where it would finish. Suggested favourite subjects were dogs, sports, horses, and other countries' stamps.

The title page with the plan of the collection was started in the lesson and those who finished it at home and brought it back next meeting would receive a good prize. Then we were to work out some more pages.

Unfortunately only one school was enthusiastic about doing this and I hope they will continue.

We will miss out on our school stamp club meetings in October because of the school holidays after our Royal Show, but we will get together again in November.

The Melbourne Stampshow 2009, held at the Rod Laver Arena, was a rewarding time for the youngsters and their parents alike at Children's Corner.

The sessions were held on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and as it turned out the sessions could have run all day as there were many enquiries regarding the activities that were arranged by John Waugh, the Convenor of Junior Activities at the Brighton Philatelic Society.

John was ably assisted by Yvette Trinidad, the WA Youth Coordinator.

Both John and Yvette "registered" each participant and then had several competitions such as colouring in a stamp design, designing a stamp and the naming a horse.

Points were awarded to each participant who could then use the accumulated points to bid on items that were auctioned.

The parents were as keen as the participants in the result of each item auctioned by auctioneer John. Each junior collector was presented with a Rennicks stamp catalogue and a package of goodies from Australia Post.

Mary Doolan from the outer eastern suburb of Cranbourne brought her school stamp members along to be part of the day.

Following a discussion with John Waugh it is envisaged that the Brighton Philatelic Society will be home for junior stamp activities in Victoria with all junior collectors invited to Brighton several times a year.

This will be a great opportunity for the junior stamp club leaders and parents of the young collectors to meet socially and yet learn something of our great hobby.

Any one wishing to be included on the "Young Collector" distribution list should contact Laurie and you will not only receive the publication you will also be invited to activities at the Brighton Philatelic Society.

Laurie also plans contact the Bendigo Philatelic Society to see if a similar venture could be started there to serve people from the western side of the State. He would like to have similar exercise carried out in Gippsland.

Future plans include an Annual Young Collector's Day in Melbourne where all the groups could meet. Please contact Laurie if you would like to help to bring this plan to fruition.

The Kalgoorlie Junior Club is going strong with another 3 new members. Five children have completed their displays for the Swan River Stamp Show. The next meeting will be on the 18th October and will be doing some refresher workshops on soaking and storing stamps, to assist the new members. She plans to discuss plans for the PSWA Don O'Laughlin trophy which is being held in January 2010 Photo 4 about here if possible The Swan River Stamp Show 2009 Arthur Holmes Trophy 5 Entries had Tom Wallace, Imogen Guest, Stephanie Causton, Ireane Draper and Katie Hutching

Stephanie Causton won the trophy this year.

We had a good time on Saturday at the Show with 15 children coming through and 4 signing up to join the WAPC Youth Club and have the Young Collector mailed out, and 3 to get circuit sheets.