Stamps honour RSA centennial

STAMP OF APPROVAL: Whanganui RSA manager Kyle Dalton with the stamps, coin and presentation packs created especially for the organisation's centennial year. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

Whanganui is front and centre of the 100th birthday celebration of the country's Returned and Services Association (RSA).

And while the local branch of the RSA will be recognising the occasion in a few months' time, it has been the staff at NZ Post Collectables and Solutions Centre in Church Place who have been busy getting out memorabilia created especially for the occasion.

This time last year, the centre was sending out specially minted 50c coins marking the centennial of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli.

This week they have been handling the release of stamps recognising the RSA's 100th.

The stamps are available individually, in sheet sets of 25 or in special presentation packages, and range from the standard 80c denominations through to $3 stamps.

Ivan Weal, the centre manager, said the sales of the presentation packs and the 50c coin had an added spin-off for the RSA.

"For every presentation pack sold, $1 goes to the RSA, while every coin sold will earn the organisation $5," Mr Weal said.

He said there had been a good take-up of the stamps prior to them going on public sale, and he expected sales would accelerate now they were in NZ Post shops and other outlets.

The six stamps portray the RSA's identity and history.

Designs incorporate the RSA "heart" logo, the poppy, the RSA badge and some of the veterans.

Wanganui RSA manager Kyle Dalton said the local branch's birthday fell on January 26 this year but they were holding off celebrations.

"We're looking at doing something in May, around our annual meeting," Mr Dalton said.

The RSA was established in April 1916, when the first national meeting of returned soldiers from World War I was held.