Richmond river philatelic society
2023 Meeting Dates:
26 January
23 February
23 March
27 April
25 May
Meeting Time
4th Thursday of the month (except December) at 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm)
Meeting Place
Lismore Workers Club, 231 Keen Street, Lismore 2480
Contact Us
Postal Address: PO Box 784,
LISMORE, NSW 2480
Mark Bailey
Phone: 0400 008 888
Email: lismorestamp@gmail.com
Map
FLOODS DEVESTATE NORTHERN RIVERS COLLECTORS
The Lismore Floods have had a devestating impact on numerous collectors across the Northern Rivers. Mark Bailey, Publicity Officer of PHILAS, has today reported on the effects of the flood.
"Most seriously affected were long time members of the Richmond River Philatelic Society, John and Elsie Habib. Rescued by SES boat in the middle of the night, John and Elsie were lucky to make it out alive," Mr Bailey said.
The Habibs, who live in a two-storey house near Lismore Airport, have lost everything. Their house was inundated to the roof line. "Our house, a lifetime of contents and two cars were destroyed," said John Habib. " The SES picked us off our top floor balcony with the water up to our waist," John added.
Sadly Elsie's well regarded collection, renowned for its accumulation of stamps featuring magpies and stamps with aviation theme was totally destroyed.
Geoff Wotherspoon's Collection
"It is without a doubt one of the greatest losses to international philately ever" is how renowned Expert, Michael Drury described the loss of the Wotherspoon collection.
Accumulated over 40 years, the KGV collection of Geoff Wotherspoon, a well known Lismore local, was also destroyed by the flood.
Comprising Gold Medal winning exhibition collections, and research papers on the KGV Australian Pre decimal stamps, the collection is now the subject of a frantic effort by nationally renowned Ephemera conservation experts.
"Whilst the entire collection was submerged, conservators hope to preserve the stamps and papers so that whilst the gum will be Destroyed the fronts of the stamps, with all the flaws can be preserved" Mark Bailey stated.
In a good news ending to this article, collectors across Australia have rallied to the cause. Members of the Australian Stamp Collector Face Book page, run by Tasmanian dealer, Matthew Rigby have been sending donation parcels. These will be given to flood affected collectors very soon.
Services
Wheelchair access
Library
Annual show in November
Speakers on Philatelic Interests
Competitions
Stamps for Sale
Bistro and Bar
Membership fees
$7 per member
Affiliated with
The Philatelic Association of NSW (PHILAS)
About Us
Our club meets at the Lismore Workers Club in Lismore which is situated in the Northern Rivers of NSW. We have regular meetings every month with interesting presentations, theme nights and more.
The Habib home. Picture with consent Mr John Habib. Red arrow shows flood height.
Donations of stamps are coming in to PHILAS Publicity Officer Mark Bailey.
If you are interested in joining us and becoming a member or being part of our mailing list please contact one of the following:
Geoff Wotherspoon 0416 216 040
Mark Bailey 0400 008 888.
LISMORE FLOOD APPEAL GETS BIG DONATION FROM PHILATELIC SOCIETY OF CANBERRA.
Whilst in Sydney on Saturday 23 April, PHILAS Publicity Officer, Mark Bailey, received a surprise visit from Marilyn Gendek from the Philatelic Society of Canberra
The Society and individual members made a huge donation to the LISMORE STAMP FLOOD APPEAL that filled the boot of Marilyn's car.
These stamps will be passed onto flood affected stamp collectors on the Northern Rivers.
The material was largely donated by the Philatelic Society of Canberra. Individuals who also donated material included Bruce Parker, Doug Gale, Tony Luckhurst, and Marilyn Gendek.
If you would like to donate stamps to the appeal please drop them off to PHILAS marked clearly "For Mark Bailey - for the Lismore Flood Appeal" or post to Richmond River Philatelic Society, C/- PO BOX 6054 South Lismore NSW 2480
Pictured is Marilyn Gendek with PHILAS Publicity Officer Mark Bailey and the boot full of donations.
Club page updated 12/12/2022