stamp bulletin - Australia Post Shop

Eureka 1854–2004
The Eureka Stockade came after years of
increasing dissatisfaction on the Victorian
goldfi elds and a growing desire for more
representative and responsible government.
The events of Eureka and the public’s
response to those events were perhaps the most
important early steps on the path to the robust,
direct democracy Australia is today.
The issue
This commemorative issue of two stamps and
a miniature sheet also includes fi rst day covers,
a stamp and coin cover, a set of two maximum
cards and a prestige booklet.
The prestige booklet comprises four stamp
panes interleaved with colour illustrations and
text telling the story of the stockade. The stamp
panes are two pairs of 50c stamps, one pair of
$2.45 stamps, and one se-tenant pair. Priced at
just $10.95 it would make a great gift.
The stamp and coin cover illustrated on the
following pages features a spectacular $5.00
coloured coin with the Eureka fl ag in blue
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and nugget in gold. The uncirculated coin is
exclusive to Post’s stamp and coin cover.
The designs
The 50c stamp features a representation of the
Eureka fl ag, which at the time was called the
fl ag of the Southern Cross.
The fl ag has become a symbol of democratic
rights and freedoms and is identifi ed as a fl ag of
the people. The original holds pride of place in
the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.
The Eureka fl ag was fi rst fl own to rally
people to Bakery Hill on 29 November 1854,
the “Monster Meeting” of the Ballarat Reform
League. The fl ag represents the Southern Cross,
with white stars on a dark blue background.
The Ballarat Times reported that “there is no
fl ag in Europe, or in the civilised world half so
beautiful”.
The fl ag is constructed of very fi ne blue
woollen fabric with a high sheen that gives a
silk-like appearance. The cross is made of pieces
of cotton twill and the stars of fi ne cotton lawn.