This series of stamps and stamp products was issued by Australia Post on 18 October 2000 to commemorate the Torch Relay for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Together, these items include two maximum cards valued at 45 cents, two first day covers valued at 45 cents and a stamp folder containing two 45-cent stamps. Designed by FHA Image Design and the Australia Post Design Studio, they represent the Paralympic Torch Relay logo and list the towns that hosted relay celebrations. This material complements framed sets of Paralympic Games stamps (2001/84/364 and 2001/84/365), as well as other Paralympic Games material in the Sydney 2000 Games Collection.

In a profitable agreement with the International Olympic Committee, Universal Parcel Service (UPS) gained worldwide sponsorship of freight and mail for the Olympic Games until 2004. Ultimately, this contract would restrict Australia Post in its production and issue of stamps and other postal products for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Nonetheless, both UPS and Australia Post provided retail outlets at the Sydney Olympic Village, and Australia Post hand delivered mail to all village occupants.

In addition to this retail outlet, Australia Post operated a 'P-Stamp' (Personalised Stamp) booth at Olympic Village, and sold stamps with photographic portraits of Olympic spectators. Using Fuji Xerox technology, it also manufactured 'instant stamps' with photographs of Australian gold-medallists in the moments after their victories. These sold on the days proceeding Australian gold- medal presentations.

The production of stamps and postal products was less restricted for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, allowing Australian Post to become an official sponsor. It released two series of commemorative stamps and stamp products as well as sheets of P- Stamps depicting individual members of the Australian Paralympic team. The stamps retailed at face value until December 2000, and each team member received twenty sheets for personal use, fan mail or fundraising.

Designed by FHA Image Design and the Australia Post Design Studio, these postal products represent the Paralympic Torch Relay logo and list the towns that hosted relay celebrations.

These particular stamps were issued and post-marked by Australia Post on 18 October 2000 to commemorate the Paralympic Torch Relay.

Though these stamps and stamp products are in mint condition, they are identical to those that retailed to the Australian public before and during the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

Made for and owned by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Postal products, including stamp packs, maximum cards and first day of issue series, Torch Relay, Paralympic Games, Sydney, 2000, paper/plastic designed by FHA Image Design and Australia Post Design Studio, Melbourne for Australia Post, made by Australia Post, issued on 18 October 2000

Postal products, gloss paper and plastic, including two 45c maximum cards featuring images of Homebush Stadium and an athlete with the Paralympic torch. There is also an information card about the maximum cards. Also included are two first day covers, each featuring two 45c stamps that commemorate the Paralympic torch relay and a stamp pack containing two 45c stamps that also commemorate the Paralympic torch relay.

Made: 2000

2001/84/248

2000