Aborigine stamps a link in heritage sites (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Aborigine stamps a link in heritage sites

AN Australian aborigine discovered a new spiritual home last week - Stonehenge.

It was far from his own homeland, but Francis Firebrace clearly found similar mystic vibes as he performed ritual dances and songs against the background of the 4,500-year-old Salisbury Plain stones.

He was there last Tuesday to launch a set of postage stamps linking World Heritage sites in the UK and Australia.

The Royal Mail and Australia Post have joined forces to produce eight stamps showing just a few of the heritage and cultural locations of both countries.

The image of Stonehenge takes pride of place on the first class stamp and was also the chosen venue to celebrate the stamps' release.

Bearded, barefoot and with a brave disregard for the cold, Mr Firebrace regaled a party of 60 children from nearby Durrington Junior School with songs, dances and long ago tribal tales from his homeland,

Watched by captivated tourists, he also paraded with the children as a herd of kangaroos.

The eight stamps are issued in four pairs, featuring four UK sites matched with four Australian sites.

The two first-class stamps show Stonehenge and the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Hadrian's Wall and Uluru Kata Tjuta national park, Australia, are featured on the two second class stamps.

Two 68p stamps show the heart of Neolithic Orkney, Scotland, and Purnululu national park, Australia.

And Blenheim Palace, England, and Greater Blue Mountains Area, Australia, are the images for the two 47p stamps.

Royal Mail's head of special stamps, Julietta Edgar, said: "These eight stamps provide a fantastic showcase of the two countries' cultural heritages.

"It's great to think that, through the stamps, we'll be sharing each other's unique heritage with millions of people as they are sent on letters, not only to people throughout the UK and Australia, but also across the world, reminding everyone of the special relationship the two countries enjoy."