February 2005
AMBER O'REILLY IS YOUNG PHILATELIST OF THE YEAR FOR 2004

The Pigman was a popular novel taught at the middle school level a decade or more ago, and now Canadian philatelists can boast of their very own ‘pig girl’ in Amber O’Reilly of Yellowknife, NWT.

O’Reilly has been chosen the 2004 Young Philatelist of the Year by The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC). The 11-year-old garnered her title with pigs. Her pigs-on-stamps exhibit - “In Come the Pigs . . .” has won several national show awards, including the highest youth award in North American philately, the Youth Champion of Champions.

Her title Champion of Champions was earned at the North American Youth Stamp Exhibiting Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana in July 2004. Her pigs exhibit took several awards at the Indiana show before the judges declared hers the best in North America based on story, research, material, and presentation.

Amber is the second Canadian to win the North American award since it was inaugurated in 1993. The other Canadian winner of the Champion of Champions award was Charlotte Verge of Ottawa in 1994.

The RPSC has been naming a Young Philatelist of the Year since 1992. 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 Manfred Walther Award is in memory of a member of Toronto’s Harmonie Stamp Club, who 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.

Dr. John Powell, RPSC Western Canada Youth Program Coordinator and Bureau Member for the Americas of the FIP’s Commission on Youth Philately calls the award “an opportunity to celebrate exceptional young Canadian philatelists and to encourage young people to pursue the hobby.” He said “Amber O’Reilly is an outstanding exhibitor and a leader among current youth stamp collectors.”

The Northern New Services in Yellowknife reports Amber O’Reilly’s collection includes stamps portraying all sorts of pig species, from wild to domestic pigs, to pigs that aren’t actually pigs - like guinea pigs and hedgehogs. She also exhibits famous pigs like Porky Pig and Piglet.

Amber will receive her Young Philatelist of the Year award at The RPSC annual convention and show scheduled for the London Convention Centre, London, Ontario May 27-29, 2005.

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
Daryl Oliver 416-979-8874