A post office initiative and celebration of local nature

The Falls, Orange

The town of Orange is in the Central Tablelands region of inland New South Wales, Australia. Orange is just over 250km (160 miles) west of the state capital Sydney. The town (and local parish area) was named by Surveyor General Thomas Mitchell, after his friend, the Prince of Orange.

(Looking north-west up Peisley Street, Orange, Image: orange.nsw.gov.au).

Orange has a population of just over 40,000 people. Home to Australia’s first payable gold discovery at Ophir in 1851, gold is still mined in Orange today.

The Falls

First looking up The Falls for this piece, I found this photo on VisitNSW.com. Visit NSW notes:

“The falls are lovely all year around, but are particularly striking when water levels in the creek are high following heavy rainfall. At the bottom of these glorious waterfalls, you’ll find a tranquil swimming hole that makes the most perfect place to cool off on a hot summer’s day.”

WalkMyWorld.com describes it more elegantly:

“A series of picturesque cascades creates a number of good dipping spots, though the largest and best pool is the one directly beneath the main waterfall.” and “The pool is nestled between craggy grey rocks and tall eucalyptus trees, creating a quintessential Aussie scene. Even on a hot day in summer our only companions were butterflies and dragonflies. Even if you don’t fancy a swim the falls are well worth a visit and make for a great picnic spot, or simply somewhere to relax and admire the scenery.”

They also have a lot of nice pictures of the area.

Obverse

The PMC features a wide-angle photo of the falls, with the location, individual number, stamp and medallion.

The front also contains a metallic foil cancellation mark and that it is an authentic memento of Orange, NSW.

The reverse of the PNC gives details on the subject:

The Falls Water Falls are located at Summer Hill Creek, around 17 kilometres north-east of Orange, in the southern section of the Mullion Range State Conservation Area. The creek cascades dramatically over two levels and the falls are particularly striking when water levels in the creek are high following heavy rainfall. At the bottom of the waterfall is a tranquil swimming hole.

Stamp and cover design: Sonia Young, Australia Post Design Studio

Photographs: Alf Manciagli/Shutterstock.com

Medallion

The front of the medallion shows a long exposure photo of the water cascading, appearing smooth as it falls. The reverse contains the name, “The Falls, Orange”. Interestingly the text appears rotated compared to the front. I believe this is a rotated die error. Although the piece hasn’t been hugely popular, so this error likely adds more of an interest point to the PMC than value. (The cat hair on the reverse is not original, and was supplied post-mint, courtesy of Mr Kitten of Note).

The medallion is 36mm and weighs 35g. It is made of Zinc-alloy, silver plated and with a printed finish.

Stamp

The stamp uses the same design as the medallion, with a value of $1.20. The blue foil cancellation mark is dated 1 November 2023, Orange NSW, 2800.

Inner card

The inner card contains another view of the falls.

Minisheet

Opening up this piece, inside is an individually numbered minisheet featuring the stamp on a sheet with image of the falls.

According to StampCircuit.com: “The miniature sheet or souvenir sheet refers to a sheet containing a number of postage stamps, all stamps still attached together. Postage stamps included in the sheet may be imperforate or perforated. The margins of the sheet may contain additional texts (see sheet above). The margins of the sheet may also contain other information, or may include logos and other design details that add to the stamp’s aesthetic value.”

Impressions

This piece was part of the “Impressions” range for 2023. Impressions is a yearly even for Australia Post Collectibles. Impressions pieces are often based on themes used through the year. Pieces are often very limited edition and individually numbered. This medallion cover for instance, is #26 out of only 100 issued. The pieces usually feature fancier foil cancellation and overprinting, extra details such as additional stamps or a different coloured medallion. Sometimes a special mintmark or multiple coins on a single PNC, a larger format or minisheets or extra features inside.

The 2023 Impressions catalogue (page 16) describe this piece as:

Limited-Edition
Medallion & Minisheet
Collections

• Limited-edition overprinted version of the
  medallion & minisheet collection only
  available from Orange Community Hub, NSW
• Foiled postmark, numbering & overprint

The page listed three items as part of this collection, each limited to 100 and priced at $69.95:

• The Falls
• Banjo Patterson
• Sir Neville Reginald Howe

Noting: “The products presented commemorate the new Orange Community Hub scheduled to open 30 October 2023. The Hub will offer an exclusive range of philatelic & other collectables. *Opening date correct at time of print.”

The description indicates that there were “regular” versions of these three pieces available from the Orange Community Hub. I can’t find any other information or photos of those, but expect they likely looked identical except used non-metallic foil cancellation mark and no number.

Orange Community Hub

The Orange Community Hub aimed to solve some common postage problems:

• Change rooms for customers to try their new online-shopping purchases on. If unhappy with the purchase, customers can arrange a return on the spot.
• Instead of lining up, customers scan a QR code and receive a text when it’s their turn, allowing them to relax, browse the store, or enjoy a coffee from the onsite barista.
• Dedicated area to allow small business owners to sort, wrap and send orders.
• Area for online retailers and small businesses to showcase and sell products

The format was evidently successful as in the year since, three more Community Hub @ Post centres have opened around Australia.

I was drawn to this piece because I thought the imagery was really beautiful and peaceful. What is a price you find beautiful and peaceful? I’ll leave you with this quick walk around the falls, courtesy Haque diaries