Stamp to Celebrate International Year of Co-operatives

The International Year of Co-operatives stamp will be available from February 14.

The 2012 International Year of Co-operatives will receive the stamp of approval many times over with the release, next week, of the Australia Post commemorate stamp.

Australia is the only country to have both stamps and a coin issued in celebration of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (IYC 2012). The commemorative $1 gold coin was released by the Royal Australian Mint in November 2011.

The stamp will be launched at a special event at the Melbourne Town Hall on February 15th by the President of the International Co-operative Alliance, Dame Pauline Green, DBE, from the UK.

Dame Pauline says co-operatives play an important role of in bringing about a new era in socially responsible business.

"We know as co-operators that our movement is both commercially successful and socially advantageous".

The stamp sheets, envelopes and mailer (for the coin) go on sale in Australia Post outlets from February 14, pre-orders can be made now by downloading the order form.

The ‘uncirculated’ $1 commemorative coin can be purchased from the Mint Shop.

The United Nations has declared 2012 to be the International Year of Cooperatives, with the General Assembly President commending cooperatives on their contribution to food security, rural development and other social services.

The UN says the co-operative business model has been a major factor in realising economic growth and social development. “Since the 1850s, they have been a part of Australia’s socio-economic landscape, employing locals and redistributing profits back into local communities.”

For more information about United Nations International Year of Co-operatives (IYC 2012) in Australia go to www.australia2012.coop/home 

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