Worm farms, veggie gardens, and nest boxes were some of the topics Australia Post encouraged primary students and stamp collectors to immerse themselves in during August's Stamp Collecting Month.
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The theme was In the Garden: a great way for kids to get hands-on with sustainable gardening.
"This year's Stamp Collecting Month is educating primary school children about easy ways to garden sustainably, and why it's good for the environment and their health," Armidale Post Office manager Michael Heavey said.
The five stamps are set in a suburban garden in a temperate climate, and feature native trees, shrubs and groundcover plants that don't require much water and attract helpful birds and insects.
"The stamps highlight rainwater gardens and using mulch to preserve water content, and helps teach our children the value of water, which is important not only to the individual but to our community," Mr Heavey said.
"Children's sustainable planning of gardens and, in this region, crops are important to the survival of our land."
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The thriving garden scene also displays projects including building and tending to a worm farm, rainwater garden, nest box and veggie patch.
Many Armidale philatelic collectors were happy to see Australia Post combine an environmental focus with stamp collecting, Mr Heavey said.
Some shoppers were impressed with the reading on stamp packs, which they found relevant to their own water shortage situation.
Children loved the garden displays, and parents were glad the stamps encouraged their kids to get outdoors.
"To have this campaign at a time when times are tough in our town, is a credit to Australia Post for recognising the need for water education," Mr Heavey said.
"We want it to inspire the whole family to roll up their sleeves and have some fun with sustainable gardening projects," Nicole Sheffield, Australia Post Executive General Manager Community and Consumer, said.
"It's the perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors and learn about composting, being water-wise, and plant and animal life cycles. We're celebrating the simple things we can do - like going bird watching, planting veggies, and adding food scraps to the worm farm - that make a difference."
Local primary schools brought their students through the Armidale Post Office for a tour, Mr Heavey said.
He gave the students a brief history lesson about the Armidale Post Office and Australia Post, displayed the collectors' stamps, and talked about the importance of posting letters and collecting stamps.
"Our Post Office embrace the opportunity to educate our younger Armidale generation," Mr Heavey said, "and have been able to share small things they can do at school and at home that make a difference in our community."
Primary school teachers across Australia were able to order Stamp Collecting Month classroom kits which included an educational poster and handy resources to help integrate all things sustainable gardening into their lesson plans.
Stamp Collecting Month Ambassador Stephanie Alexander AO - cook, restaurateur, author and Founder of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation - said this year would be a good pointer for younger Australians.
"It's vital that we educate that next generation on practical ways to support their own health and that of the environment," she said. "Doing so through fun and engaging programs like Stamp Collecting Month brings it to life for them.
"The sustainable gardening theme provides students and teachers across the country with the opportunity to learn more about environmental sustainability, kitchen and edible gardening, plant and animal life cycles, and biodiversity."
Award-winning illustrator Andrew Hopgood designed the stamps. He has illustrated several children's books focused on sustainability and the environment.
The stamps and associated products were available from the start of the month in participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online at auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks lasted.
Online education resources such as curriculum-linked lesson plans for primary school students, information on each stamp, and more can be found at auspost.com.au/scm.
Visit the Australia Post Collectables website auspostcollectables.com.au for more information on Australian stamp issues.
