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Raymond Todd 8
March 2010 Mr
Ian McMahon Dear
Ian Recently
I attended the Perth meeting of the Australian Philatelic Federation
(APF) at which I enquired about the progress of the above catalogues. I was somewhat surprised that there has been absolutely no visible progress on
the production of the catalogues since the Western Australian section
was first completed in 2002. From
memory I believe the tasks after the Western Australian section were
to gradually but regularly publish the remaining states catalogues
in colour with the assistance of Australia Post. I am now given to understand that Australia Post is not interested as their previous
resources are no longer available, and of course corporate memory
fades as time goes by. I
understand that the APF, whilst not really distancing themselves
from their involvement in the project, see that it is a Postal Stationery
of Australia task – their only involvement being that Malcolm Groom,
their International Officer, is the series editor. I
believe that those authors in charge of the project for the remaining
states are:- New
South Wales Bernard Doherty (assisted by John Bell) One
must ask what are the real problems facing these authors? Is it finance? Is it inclination? Are they too busy elsewhere? Are they unsure of the format
to be used? Is the task of matching the Western Australian section a task too daunting? Has
anyone approached them on a one to one basis to find out their progress?
Are they still interested? Valuable
overseas publicity and interest was gathered when this project started,
and when I am overseas judging or at FIP and other meetings, I am
quite often asked about the other colonies/states – I am obliged
to give a cautious holding reply which is not only personally embarrassing and frustrating but tends to affect Australia’s international reputation. There is an obvious need for these publications – the alternative is to formally
close the project.. If
the problem is about the format and layout of the succeeding editions
then as a start let us stipulate A4 spiral bound in black and white
– if the editors feel they can cope with something more glamourous
let them tell us. If
the problem is one of finance then there are publishing sources within
Australian which should be willing to help with not only seed money
but with grants and loans. The APF has a programme for publications
I understand and State Councils should be willing to commit even
if only to satisfy their state pride. I
now propose a modest financial plan which I am sure will interest
our members and others. The plan involves commitment on the part
of all interested parties. As
a start I will commit an interest free loan of $250 to each of the
authors as seed money to get the project back on track; I am sure
my offer will be matched many times over by others including the
auction houses and trade generally who would see advantages in getting
Australian philately back into the third millennium. So
the task ahead is to encourage the authors in their endeavours and
rather than be critical of the slowness of the project, look for
and seek out solutions in a friendly way. I know that there are a
limited number of Breckons, Kellows and Popes so we should all be
willing to help where possible if the authors feel the task is now
too daunting. I
believe that the series editor should drive the project. I
offer this letter as a means of a renaissance of the project. I
hope you and your readers will become involved. Sincerely Raymond
Todd |
