Six of horse racing’s most highly respected and influential names will join the exclusive ranks of great Australians to feature on postage stamps.

George Moore, Roy Higgins, Bart Cummings, Bob Ingham, John Tapp and the late Arthur “Scobie” Breasley have been bestowed the title of 2007 Australia Post Australian Legends and will be immortalised in a stamp series.

Issued each year to coincide with Australia Day, the Australia Post Australian Legends Award recognises great Australians who have made lifetime contributions to the development of our national identity and character.

Australia Post Managing Director Graeme John said the 2007 Australia Post Legends were some of the most well-known and best-loved Australians in the country.

“Their incredible talent, the length of their careers and their clear dedication and devotion to horse racing makes them ideal recipients of the Legends Award,” Mr John said.

“Horse racing is part of our rich heritage and has helped shape our unique spirit and cultural identity,” he said. “This is due to characters such as this year’s Australian Legends, who have provided many a thrilling and memorable moment in racing history.

“We were saddened to learn of Scobie Breasley’s death in December. We know he was thrilled to receive this accolade and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to recognise his enormous contribution.”

When the inaugural Australian Legends Award was presented to Sir Donald Bradman in 1997, it was the first time a living person other than a ruling monarch had been featured on an Australian stamp.

Now, 10 years on, the list of Australian Legends includes Arthur Boyd, Slim Dusty, Dawn Fraser, Herb Elliott, Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Dame Joan Sutherland, Collette Dinnigan and Barry Humphries, among others.

The 2007 Australian Legends stamp issue features 12 x 50c stamps, two first day covers, a set of maxicards, a stamp pack and three stamp booklets. A commemorative biography titled A Rare Breed: Legends of Australian Horse Racing by journalist Peter Wilmoth accompanies the stamp issue, along with a limited edition and individually numbered prestige booklet which includes stamps from the past 10 years of the Australian Legends series.

The Legends stamps and book are available from participating Australia Post outlets or via mail order on 1800 311 794 while stocks last. Overseas customers can purchase on-line at: www.auspost.com.au/stamps

For further information, please contact:
Julia Balderstone/Jenny Littlewood     
PR for Australia Post      
P: (03) 9696 5899        
P: 0413 852796 (Julia) 0403 359 864 (Jenny)   
E: julia@curriecom.com.au  jenny@curriecom.com.au   
High resolution images are available upon request.

Prue Cripps
Australia Post
Philatelic Group
P: (03) 9204 7629
E: prue.cripps@auspost.com.au

High resolution images are available upon request.

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• Visit the Stamp Shop online for more information on Australia Post stamp issues, books, coins, collectables and souvenirs.