1981 Issues
Australia Day
Designers: Bruce Weatherhead - Printer: Asher & Co.
Australia Day is celebrated each January 26th, the day Governor Phillip raised the flag on the eastern shore, this design is the Australian Flag in the shape of the continent.
Issued 21 January with perforation 13¼ x 13
546-1-1 22c Australian Flag as the Continent
Australian Sporting Personalities
Designer: Tony Rafty - Printer: Cambec Press
This release of four stamps are caricatures by Sydney Artist Tony Rafty, the subjects are, 22c, Darby Munro (jockey), nicknamed "The Demon" by the racing fraternity & the public, he rode his first winner at 14, winning three Melbourne Cups, 1934,1944 & 1946; 35c, Victor Trumper (cricketer), in 1899, he scored 135 not out against England at Lords & 300 not out against Sussex County, in 1902 in England he scored 2570 runs in fifty three innings including 11 centuries, in 1914 against New Zealand he scored a record of 433 runs in an 8th wicket stand; 55c, Sir Norman Brookes (tennis) in 1905 he won the Allcomers' singles title at Wimbledon, in 1907, he returned & won the singles, doubles & mixed doubles championships, becoming the first non-Briton to win the Wimbledon singles, in 1907 with Anthony Wilding (NZ) he won the Davis Cup for Australasia for the first time, he won Wimbledon again in1914, he was also the first president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia from 1926 to 1955; 60c, Walter Lindrum (billiards), he went to England in 1929 & in five years broke all records for speed of scoring & size of breaks, in 1932 he defeated Joe Davis & became world champion, also in 1932 he scored a world record break of 4137 points in two hours & fifty five minutes, he retired undefeated world champion in 1950.
Issued 18 February with perforation 13¼ x 13
   
547-1-1 22c Darby "The Demon" Munro, withdrawn on 30 September, 1981;
548-1-1 35c Victor Thomas Trumper, withdrawn on 30 September, 1981;
549-1-1 55c Sir Norman Everard Brookes, withdrawn on 30 September, 1981;
550-1-1 60c Walter Albert Lindrum, withdrawn on 30 September, 1981
50th Anniversary of the First Official Airmail
Australia/UK
Designers: Cato Hibberd Design Pty. Ltd. - Printer: Asher & Co.
This issue is a "stamp on stamp" release, the 6d Airmail stamp is reproduced on both stamps the original release was in March, 1931 to commemorate the "first official" Air Mail to the UK.
Issued 25 March with perforation 13 
551-1-1 22c Stamp on Stamp 1931 - 6d Airmail, withdrawn on 30 October, 1981;
552-1-1 60c Stamp on Stamp 19312 - 6d Airmail, withdrawn on 30 October, 1981
50th Anniversary of the Founding of APEX
Designers: Paul Clark - Printer: Note Printing Branch
This issue commemorates the 50th anniversary of the founding of Apex, formed in Geelong, Victoria by three architects, Apex is now an international organization.
Issued 6 April with perforation 13 x 13½
553-1-1 22c Apex Symbol & Map of Australia, withdrawn on 30 October, 1981
Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II
Designer: Australia Post Graphic Design - Printer: Asher & Co.
The Queen's personal standard for Australia adorns this stamp, this flag is flown where ever Her Majesty is in residence in Australia, it also adorns Her Majesty's car when travelling within Australia, this flag bears the badges of the six Australian States, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania, surmounted by the Queen's cipher.
Issued 21 April with perforation 13¼ x 13
554-1-1 22c Her Majesty's Personal Flag or Standard
Gold Rush Era
Designers: Samuel T. Gill; adapted by Bruce Weatherhead - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
The design for this issue was taken from sketches of goldfield artist Samuel T. Gill (1818-1880).
Issued 20 May with perforation 13 x 13¼
   
555-1-1 22c Licence Inspection, withdrawn on 30 November, 1981;
556-1-1 22c Puddling, withdrawn on 30 November, 1981;
557-1-1 22c Quality of Washing Stuff, withdrawn on 30 November, 1981;
558-1-1 22c On Route to Deposit Gold, withdrawn on 30 November, 1981
Australian Paintings Definitives
Issue 4
Designer: Australia Post Graphic Design - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
This is the fourth issue in this series, this design is of a painting called "On the Wallaby Track" by Frederick (Fred) McCubbin (1855 - 1917), a SPECIMEN stamp was also released, there are a number of releases of Australian Paintings; Issue 1, April, 1974; Issue 2, October, 1977; Issue 3, March, 1979; Issue 4, June, 1981 (below); Issue 5, April, 1984.
Issued 17 June with perforation 14¾
 
559-1-1 $2 On The Wallaby Track (by Fred McCubbin);
559-1-1 SPEC $2 On The Wallaby Track SPECIMEN
Australian Animals Definitives
Series 1
Endangered Animals
Designers: Frank Knight - Printers: as below after withdrawal date
This is the first issue of Australian Animals & shows six endangered or possibly extinct species, 5c, Queensland Hairy-nosed Wombat; 24c, Thylacine, (Thylacinus cynocephalus) or Tasmanian Tiger; 25c, Greater Bilby, (Macrotis lagotis) or Rabbit-eared Bandicoot; 30c, Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata); 50c, Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri); 55c, Stick-nest Rat, (Leporillus conditor) or House-building Rat). Three of this issue were released with two different perforations, the 5c; 25c & 50c, the first printing of the 24c stamp was by the NPB, the second printing was done by Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.; the remaining five were all printed by Asher & Co., there have been a number of Australian Animal releases these include; Series 1, July, 1981 (below); Series 2, Part 1, April, 1982; Series 2, Part 2, June, 1982; Series 2, Part 3, February, 1983; Series 3, Part 1, June, 1983; Series 3, Part 2, October, 1983.
Issued as below in brackets, followed by perforation, date of withdrawl (if available) & printer (in brackets).     
560-1-1 5c Queensland Hairy-nosed Wombat, (issued 15 July), perforation 12¾ x 12½, withdrawn 31 December, 1985, (printer: Asher & Co.);
560-1-2 5c Queensland Hairy-nosed Wombat, (issued 15 July), perforation 14½ x 14,
withdrawn 31 December, 1985, (printer: Asher & Co.);
561-1-1 24c Tasmanian Tiger, (issued 1 July), perforation 13 x 13¼,
withdrawn 31 January, 1983, (printer: Note Printing Branch);
561-1-2 24c Tasmanian Tiger, (issued late 1981), perforation 13¼ x 13,
withdrawn 31 January, 1983, (printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.);
562-1-1 25c Greater Bilby, (issued 15 July), perforation 12¾ x 12½, (printer: Asher & Co.);
562-1-2 25c Greater Bilby, (issued 15 July), perforation 14½ x 14, (printer: Asher & Co.)
   
563-1-1 30c Bridled Nail-tailed Wallaby, (issued 15 July), perforation 12¾ x 12½,
withdrawn 30 April, 1984, (printer: Asher & Co.);
564-1-1 50c Leadbeater's Possum, (issued 15 July), perforation 12½ x 12¾, (printer: Asher & Co.);
564-1-2 50c Leadbeater's Possum, (issued 15 July), perforation 14 x 14½, (printer: Asher & Co.);
565-1-1 55c Stick-nest Rat, (issued 15 July), perforation 12¾ x 12½, (printer: Asher & Co.)
The Royal Wedding
Designers: Brian Clinton - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
This issue celebrates the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer. Two booklets were released by the Stamp Promotion Council, a red covered booklet containing 4 x 24c stamps & a Purple Covered Booklet containing 4 x 24c stamps & 4 x 60c stamps.
Issued 29 July with perforation 13¼ x 13
 
566-1-1 24c Charles & Diana in White, withdrawn on 26 February, 1982;
566-2-1 60c Charles & Diana in Red, withdrawn on 26 February, 1982
Australian Fungi
Designer: Celina Rosser - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
Australia hosts a large variety of fungi, listed before are four, 24c, Cortinarius cinnabarinus, largest & most colourful gilled fungi, most are toxic; 35c, Coprinus comatus, found in high temperate areas, compost heaps etc.; 55c, Armillaria luteobubalina, this one grows in colonies & can measure up to 15 cm across & 20 cm high; 60c, Cortinarius austro-venetus, another from the Cortinarius family (24c), they can grow up to 10 cm in diameter.
Issued 19 August with perforation 13 x 13¼
   
567-1-1 24c Cortinarius cinnabarinus, withdrawn on 31 March, 1982;
568-1-1 35c Coprinus comatus, withdrawn on 31 March, 1982;
569-1-1 55c Armillaria luteobubalina, withdrawn on 31 March, 1982;
570-1-1 60c Cortinarius austro-venetus, withdrawn on 31 March, 1982
International Year of Disabled Persons
Designer: John Spatchurst - Printer: Cambec Press
On 16 December, 1976, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 1981 the "International Year of Disabled Persons", the design shows two paraplegics in wheelchairs playing basketball. The Australian catch-phrase became "Break Down the Barriers".
Issued 16 September with perforation 13¾ x 13¼
571-1-1 24c Paraplegic (wheelchair) Basketballers, withdrawn on 31 March,1982
Christmas 1981
Part 1
Designer: Frank Beck - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
This issue is in two parts, Part 1, September the 30c (below) & Part 2, November, the 18c & 60c (three listings down), the designs on all three stamps are four lines selected from an Australian Christmas Carol written by William G. James with collaboration by John Wheeler, the design below is from The Silver Stars are in the Sky .
Issued 28 September with perforation 13 x 13¼
574-1-1 30c The Silver Stars are in the Sky, withdrawn on 30 October, 1982
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,
Melbourne
Designer: Bruce Weatherhead - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
This meeting opened on the same day as the issue, 30 September and ran until 7 October at the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne, at that time it was the largest international political meeting ever held in Australia, the meeting was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the design on both stamps shows a ribbon encircling the globe drawing from all corners of the Commonwealth & ending with an arrow in Victoria (where Melbourne is situated) the 24c is in Gold while the 60c is in Silver.
Issued 30 September with perforation 13 x 13¼
 
572-1-1 24c Gold Symbolic Design, withdrawn on 30 April, 1982;
572-1-2 60c Silver Symbolic Design, withdrawn on 30 April, 1982
Yachting in Australia
Designer: Ron Fletcher - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
Yachting has been part of the world since ships were first built, in Australia the enthusiasms is no different, the designs below are of four types of yachts, 24c, Ocean Racer, can be between 7 & 24 metres in length; 35c, Lightweight Sharpie, about 6 metres in length; 55c, Twelve Metre, this type is used in the America's Cup race; 60c, Sabot, about 2.5 metres in length, mainly used to train children, the photographers were; 20c Ocean Racer & 60c Sabot, Dick Rangott, 20th Century Photographics, Sydney; 35c Lightweight Sharpie, Richard Bennet, Tasmania; 55c Twelve Metre, Warren Clarke, Qantas Library, Sydney.
Issued 14 October with perforation 13 x 13¼
   
576-1-1 24c Ocean Racer;
577-1-1 35c Lightweight Sharpie;
578-1-1 55c Twelve Metre;
579-1-1 60c Sabot
Christmas 1981
Part 2
Designer: Frank Beck - Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty. Ltd.
This issue is in two parts, Part 1, September, the 30c (three listings up) & Part 2, November, the 18c & 60c (below), the designs on all three stamps are four lines selected from an Australian Christmas Carols written by William G. James with collaboration by John Wheeler, the two designs below are from Christmas Bush for His Adorning, 18c & Noel-time, 60c.
Issued 2 November with perforation 13 x 13¼
 
573-1-1 18c Christmas Bush for His Adorning;
575-1-1 60c Noel-Time
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