April 2004
THE ROYAL CELEBRATES YOUTH PHILATELY

Since 1992, The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) has been naming a Young Philatelist of the Year. The recipient receives the Mitchener Medal, named for Governor General Roland Mitchener, and the Manfred Walther Award which is accompanied by a cheque for $100.

The Walther Award is in memory of a member of Toronto' s Harmonie Stamp Club. Manfred Walther was instrumental in the growth of philatelic exhibitions and one of Toronto's pioneers in youth philately. The Harmonie Stamp Club puts up the $100 for the award.

RPSC president Charles J.G. Verge calls the award "an opportunity to celebrate exceptional young philatelists and to encourage young people to pursue the hobby."

Two recent winners of the Young Philatelist of the Year Award were Kelly Liusz (2002) and Kristen Ollies (2003).

Kelly Liusz, a native of St. Albert, Alberta, is now in university, but she has been an active stamp collector since she was a small child. For ten years, she entered exhibits in the Edmonton National Stamp Show, at other shows, and in at least on international show.

Ms. Liusz's Christmas in Canada exhibit has received rave reviews and several times has been to the AAPE Youth Championships representing a Canadian national show. It was on show in New Zealand in 2003 and in Australia in 1998.

Kristen Ollies made headlines in October 2002 when she met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the one-day Festival of Ontario during the Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to Canada. Kristen's exhibit, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was described by fair officials as the highlight.

Ms. Ollies of Milverton, Ontario, is a 14-year-old grade nine student at Northwestern High School in Stratford, Ontario. She started collecting stamps when she was in grade three. Her exhibit on Her Majesty has won many awards.

Both young ladies are deserving representatives of the Young Philatelist of the Year Award. Michael Madesker, President of the FIPs Commission for Youth Philately, cites "their accomplishments" as the best among youth in this country right now.

Mr. Madesker said Canadian youth regularly "participate in international exhibitions maintaining a place somewhere just below the middle of the centre." He sees some "outstanding young collectors," and he looks for them to improve by exhibiting "outstanding material."

In Canada, he says, the "youth movement in philately is best developed in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec."

President Verge is happy with the selection of the recent winners, and he hopes their efforts "will have an impact on advancing stamp collecting among youth across the country, not only in a few provinces."

Information on The RPSC can be had by e-mail at info@rpsc.org or by visiting the Society's website at www.rpsc.org, or by calling 416-979-8874, toll free 1-888-285-4143.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michael O. Nowlan 506-357-2698
Steven Kendall 416-979-8874