FLINDERS ISLAND overprints on Australian stamps 1970/71

[Ross Ewington]

Recently, I received an inquiry regarding overprints promoting Flinders Island printed on the selvedge of various contemporary
Australian stamps from the 1970/71 period. It has been reported that a range of overprints were made on the following
stamps:
RSPCA Centenary 6c, RAF 1921-1971 6c, Rotary 1921-1971 6c, Sydney Stock Exchange 6c, Australian Natives Association 1871-1971 6c,
Australia/Asia 7c, United Nations 1945-1970 6c, National Development 7c, Christmas 1970 6c, International Dairy Congress 1970 6c,
Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference 1970 6c, QEII defin 7c, QE II defin 7c (perf T!!), Humbug Fish 7c and Kangaroo Paw 6c.

Apparently, an overprint was also made on the 1970 Cook miniature sheet but I do not have an image of this item which would have been
an illegal production.

I do have a small amount of information regarding these overprints but I would appreciate any information or images being posted
on this thread by anyone who may be able to provide some "illumination".

[Ross Ewington]

These used examples dating from May and August 1972 (tied to pieces from commercial covers by clear strikes of the WHITEMARK TAS-AUST datestamp) are recent discoveries.
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[AnnG]

Hi Ross,

Did you ever get a response to your Flinders Island overprints post? I am curious if you can give me any information on them. All I know is that R J McIlroy of the Flinders Island Tourist Promotion Committee did them and he also did Cook M/S overprints of which there are 6 that I know of, 3 rubber stamped ones and 3 printed with the yellow map and different writing.

Cheers Ann.

[Jeffharris]

My brother-in-law who lives at Memana [on Flinders Is.] has provided some information about R.J.Mcilroy. He was the Government Medical Officer on the Island for a few years about 1970. Although he was based at Whitemark, he was required to do 'rounds' to various parts of the Island. Palana, Lady Barron and Cape Barren Island were some of the 'rounds'. If the doctor was required, a white flag was hung on the front gate of the property. My brother-in-law recalls that Dr. Mcilroy was not the most popular G.M.O. that ever worked on Flinders Island, however, he was quite an efficient doctor.

[AnnG]

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the info. I had thought R J McIlroy had something to do with the Flinders Island Tourist Promotion Committee but possibly he was just a buyer of the overprints. I got his name from letter he sent to the editor of Stamp News back in 1972 and he had forwarded them an example of the overprints on 6c Dairy Congress. There was not much more info in the article apart from the producer being FI Tourist Committee. Cheers Ann

[Ross Ewington]

quote "AnnG" Hi Ross,
Did you ever get a response to your Flinders Island overprints post?

Until your recent posts, no.

Many thanks to Jeff and Ann for the information ...it was definitely worth "the wait" (since July 2009).

RE