Australian Legends

The Australian Legends is an annual series of commemorative postage stamps issued by Australia Post since 1997.[1] The stamps commemorate living Australians who have made lifetime contributions to the development of the Commonwealth's national identity and character.[2] Prior to 1997, the only living persons who could appear on Australian stamps were members of the British royal family.[3]

As examples of Australian graphic art, the stamps are designed to tell the story of events and personalities that shaped contemporary Australia. Each becomes part of a collective Australian memory which reflects Australian values and documents the development of Australia's national identity.[4][5]

In addition to the philatelic commemoration, the honour is also known as the Australia Post Australian Legends Award.[6]

Russell Crowe appears in the series despite not holding Australian citizenship.[7]

  1. ^ "Australia Post – our past". Australia Post. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Celebrating sport on stamps". Australia Post Collectables. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  3. ^ Australia Post: "Racing Legends are first past the post," 2007. Archived 11 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "156 years collecting Australian graphic art," Priority (Australia Post), 2000. Archived 7 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "History of the Australian Legends stamp series 11 December 2015". Australia Post Collectables. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  6. ^ Australia Post: "Previous Australia Post Australian Legends," 2005. Archived 10 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Michael Idato (26 March 2015). "Russell Crowe rejected twice as Australian citizen". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 June 2015.