As most stamp collectors (not investors) will agree, this fascinating hobby can take many turns and throw up all sorts of challenges.

Do I put my recently acquired £1Papua bird of paradise with a clear had to get ‘Kieta’ cancel, with my general Papua country collection or with my Papua postmark collection and so on?

On 3rd September 2002, Australia Post issued a 49c Bush tucker series, which included the Quandong fruit as one of the Bush Tucker edibles. I live in the Campbelltown (NSW) area and immediately thought about the Information Centre located in the heart of Campbelltown and named Quondong. Armed with my Bush Tucker booklet I visited the centre and quickly learned that the centre was incorrectly named after a prominent tree in the grounds.

My ensuing history lesson soon informed me that the Information Centre was erected in 1840 (same time as 1st postage stamp issued) as a school. Later in the early 1900’s is was converted to a private residence at which time it was named Quondong, incorrectly spelt, as well as incorrectly identifying the impressive Kurrajong tree which still stands in the grounds. The building was eventually taken over by the local Campbelltown Municipal Council to become the present Information Centre.

As a result of this information overload I created a display of Bush Tucker stamps along with the pictures and narrative surrounding the building’s history. This display was kindly hung in the centre for a few months along with the caption stating that it had been created by me, a member of The Campbelltown District Philatelic Society.
I was one proud stamp collector.

Who said this hobby is boring and a waste of time ?!