A local photographer, Alan Edgecomb, has achieved a unique honour: one of his photographs has been immortalised on a postage stamp issued by the Order of Malta to commemorate its 50th anniversary in Australia.
The image, taken at the Order’s national assembly Investiture Mass at St Paschal’s Church, Wavell Heights, in 2017, captures a moment of solemn assembly. Edgecomb, a seasoned photographer, had to work diligently to get the perfect shot from the choir loft.
Edgecomb expressed his excitement about the recognition, stating that he was “chuffed” to have his photograph selected for the postage stamp. He noted that he never imagined one of his images would be used in such a way.
The Order of Malta, a sovereign order with a rich history dating back to the Crusades, has celebrated its 50th anniversary in Australia with a series of events. The Prince, Grand Master, and Grand Chancellor visited several Australian cities to acknowledge the order’s humanitarian work.
The Order’s early involvement in postal services is well-documented. In the 1530s, the Knights Hospitaller established a postal system in Malta, making it one of the world’s oldest postal services.
Published Date 12-November-2024