Australia: FDC & Maxicards

Yesterday, I received a great cover from Australia with very nice Maxicards and First-Day-Cover.

The Early Years
A Detail from a watercolor based on a sketch by convict artist Thomas Watling showing the Sydney end of the Parramatta Road.

Stamp:
The 200th Anniversary of the Colonization of Australia - The Early Years (from a set of five) - Issued: 13-04-1988

Australia Bicentennial Collection - Joint Issued with the UK
Superimposed on the part of the Australian flag featuring the Southern Cross, parliamentary democracy is symbolized by the Palace of Westminster, the new Australian Parliament House, and the Queen, Head of State in Australia and the UK.

Stamp:
The 200th Anniversary of the Colonization of Australia (from a set of four) - Issued: 21-06-1988


Year of the Horse 2014
The Chinese Zodiac is made up of a recurring 12-years cycle with each years represented by an animal sign. The seventh sigh in the Chinese zodiac, the Horse symbolizes perception and power. Those born in the Year of the Horse are intuitive and practical, intelligent and quick-witted, independent and likable. Horses make excellent teachers, journalists, politicians and performers.

With Minisheet: Christmas Islands - Chinese New Year - Year of the Horse - Issued: 07-01-2014

Year of the Goat 2015
2015 is the year of the Goat. The Goat is the eighth animal in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes independence. Those born in the Years of the Goat are very creative, reserved and quiet, with a great capacity for deep affection. Goats make excellent actors, writers, doctors, teachers, designers and musicians.

With Minisheet: Christmas Islands - Chinese New Year - Year of the Ram/Goat - Issued: 08-01-2015


Many thanks to Isaac for this great cover!!

Australia: Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most populous city in Australia, with an estimated population of 2.02 million (as of 30 June 2014). Perth was originally founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. It gained city status (currently vested in the smaller City of Perth) in 1856, and was promoted to the status of a Lord Mayorality in 1929. The city is named after Perth, Scotland, by influence of Sir George Murray, then British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The city's population increased substantially as a result of the Western Australian gold rushes in the late 19th century, largely as a result of emigration from the eastern colonies of Australia.

Stamp:
 The 88th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II (from a set of two) - Issued: 08-04-2014

Australia: Beaconsfield, Tasmania

I received these cards from my penpal Beverley from Tasmania. She sent me the cards with her last parcel, so there are no stamps on them.

Beaconsfield is an old mining town situated in the Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania. It was formerly knows as "Brandy Creek" because of the color of the water in the creek where gold was originally discovered, but was renamed in March 1879 after Lord Beaconsfield.

 Gold was first discovered in the Beaconsfields area in 1847. Gold was minds at Beaconsfield from 1877 to 1914 and during some of this time contributed 47,72 % of the states total gold production Mining recommenced at Beaconsfield in 1999 and ceased on 30 June 2012.

The Grubb Shaft at Beaconsfield is the largest working gold mine in Tasmania and was the site of the Beaconsfield Mine collapse on April 26 2006. The adjacent museum tells the story of the mine's boom years between 1877 and 1914.

Thanks Beverley for these nice cards!