With a sense of derring-do, the young men of Australia drilled to defend the colonies from potential aggressors during the latter decades of the nineteenth century. In the main, they were volunteers who proudly donned their colourful uniforms on weekends - returning to the daily rounds of civilian life on Monday mornings. Scores of colonial regiments were formed throughout the country, five of which are represented here: Royal Victorian Volunteer Artillery, Western Australian Pinjarrah Cavalry, New South Wales Lancers, New South Wales Contingent to the Sudan, and Victorian Mounted Rifles.
The New South Wales Contingent was Australia's first fighting force to serve in an overseas campaign, and this issue of stamps coincides with the centenary of their departure for the Sudan.
The New South Wales Lancers (then known as the Sydney Light Horse) made its first public appearance in the Sudan Contingent's departure parade.
Stamp Designs: Pam Andrews, Australia
Typography: Sue Titcher, Australia Post Graphic Design Studio
Printer: Leigh-Mardon Pty Limited, Melbourne
Printing Process: PhotolithographyPaper: APWH Stamp Paper
Stamp Size: 26mm x 37.5mm
Perforatons: 14 1/2
Issued Sheet Content: 100 stamps (two panes of fifty) with "traffic light" in the gutter.Stamps arranged in se-tenant formatStamp
Pack Design: Keryn Christos, Australia Post Graphic Design Studio
Stamp Pack Illustration: "The Embarkation of The Sudan Contingent at Circular Quay, Sydney, 3rd March 1885" by Arthur Collingridge - oil on canvas - reproduced by courtesy of Australian War Memorial, Canberra.