Tiny treasures, big impact: the Stampies’ quiet mission to change lives

For over two decades, John Annat has been an integral figure in community service for Jesuit Mission Australia. His journey into stamp collecting and volunteering began in 2002, following his retirement. What initially started as a personal hobby soon transformed into a mission, joining the group now known as the ‘Stampies’, who contribute to a cause greater than themselves.

John’s love for stamps reignited when he visited the Jesuit Mission office, a recommended place to buy stamps. The office of the Stamp Unit—which sells donated stamps to collectors to raise funds for the mission—is on the same site as the Australian Jesuit Province office in Hawthorn, Victoria. What was intended as a brief visit turned into a lasting commitment when he found himself staying behind to volunteer. Over time, he found himself spending more time at the office. When the health of manager Mick Farrell declined, one of the staff at the office eventually called John and said, ‘Look, the Stamp Unit needs somebody to run it. Can you come and help us?’ John found his calling, and the Stamp Unit found its new manager.

The Stamp Unit was founded in the 1960s and was initially managed by John Dankert before Mick Farrell took over in the 70s and 80s. Three prominent women—Betty Wilson (who celebrated her 100th^, birthday last year), the late Claire Hanrahan and the late Doreen Blood—all gave 30 years of service to the Stamp Unit.

The ‘Stampies’, as they are now called, are reduced to only four regular volunteers: John, Rosemary, Tony and Angelo. Rosemary’s friend John Chew occasionally joins in when available. Most of the team are retired and in their 70s, 80s and 90s but would welcome new and younger volunteers to join them. Knowledge of stamps would be desirable, they say, but not essential.

After retiring from nursing in 2013, Rosemary was introduced to the Stamp Unit by her good friend Claire Hanrahan at Probus, and she has enjoyed it ever since. ‘It’s the company, and you feel as though you’re doing something good … I feel it’s a very Jesuit mission.’

Rosemary’s friend John Chew, a retired surgeon, came to know about the Stamp Unit through Rosemary. He had been collecting stamps since he was a student and had acquired a significant collection. John loves catching up with the Stampies and learning different things from each of the members. ‘I find it’s an education process to see all the stamps of the world and meet different people of different skills,’ he says.

For Tony, the main incentive to volunteer is to help bring in money for Jesuit Mission. ‘But I also like the comradeship, the friendship of our group here, and working with them.

Angelo, a retired tram driver and stamp collector, first heard about the Stamp Unit while driving a tram in Kew. On one particular tram journey, some Xavier College boys invited Angelo to the school’s annual Maytime Fair. Angelo said, ‘Oh I’m not coming … If you have stamps there, I will!’ The boys replied, ‘Yes, we do have stamps!’

The Stamp Unit has a stall at the fair every year, a major fundraising event for Jesuit Mission. Unlike other stalls at the fair, the Stampies work 48 weeks of the year to raise money due to the low unit value of their items for sale. The cumulative total can be significant, though, made possible through stamp contributions, small and large, from generous donors. One year, the Stampies raised close to $14,000, outperforming even the book stall, which usually raises the most money at the fair. The average yearly total is around $6000, but with new stamp donations, greater things can be achieved. It all depends on the volume and quality of collections received.

Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia, and the late Fr Phil Crotty SJ have been big supporters of the Stampies and their contributions to the Maytime Fair. John was so grateful for Fr Phil’s interest in their operation that he organised a sheet of personalised stamps through the post office featuring photographs of the priest, had it framed and gave it to him on his 85th birthday. ‘Helen and Phil always came down for the Maytime Fair, and apart from the horrendous parking, we always had fun there and we used to mingle with the other people in the stalls.’

The Stampies’ expertise includes knowledge of historical stamps, their origins and their value, enabling them to maximise the funds raised from contributions. They have facilitated the selling and auctioning of stamps, and established connections with stamp clubs and collectors, to ensure that stamp donations raise vital funds to benefit the missions.

Beyond selling stamps to collectors, John, Rosemary, Angelo, Tony and the rest of the volunteer team also seek out historical and valuable postal items. The Stampies occasionally receive unique collections, such as war-era envelopes with censors’ marks or overprinted stamps from former colonies. These items, often overlooked, are sought after by collectors who specialise in philately.

The Stamp Unit also collaborates with other stamp enthusiasts, engaging with clubs and auction houses to raise funds. The Stampies have established a good relationship with Phoenix Auctions, for instance, where stamps can be successfully sold as special items. John’s commitment to honesty and transparency in the trade is evident in his preference for ethical auction houses over opportunistic dealers.

Despite their successes, challenges remain for the Stampies. The number of stamp collectors is dwindling, and donations have become sporadic. ‘We can go three or four weeks and get nothing,’ says John. ‘It takes a lot of stamps for us to get a hundred dollars if we’re selling them at 20 or 30 cents. Sometimes we get a buyer come in and buy $200 worth of stamps; others come in and get $2 worth.’ As John explains, many unwanted collections end up in the hands of dealers who undervalue them.

One day, a truck pulled up to the office and one of the Stampies came to John and said, ‘Oh, these have been donated.’ It was a high-quality stamp collection that had been put together over many years. John eventually valued the whole collection as being worth between $7,000 and $8,000.

Modern stamp production, with excessive releases and commemorative issues, has deterred new collectors. The Stampies, however, remain committed to raising awareness, seeking to involve schools and institutions in preserving the practice of stamp collecting.

John’s dedication to the Stampies is driven by more than just a love for philately. His work is rooted in a deep respect for Jesuit Mission’s efforts in education and humanitarian aid. Although he is not Catholic himself, he says, ‘I have great admiration for how the Jesuits handle education and respond to emergencies. And that’s why I help.’

Through their expertise, leadership and passion, the Stampies have transformed a complex hobby into a powerful tool for fundraising and community building. Their efforts have ensured that the Stamp Unit remains a good source of support for Jesuit Mission Australia, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Their story is one of dedication, resilience and an unwavering belief in the value of small contributions adding up to a significant impact.