NORFOLK ISLAND

NORFOLK ISLAND.

125th anniversary of the annexation of Norfolk to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).
Simplied maps of the Norfolk and Tasmania islands.
Set of 2 stamps issued on 29.09.1969.
Face values: 2 and 30 cents of Australian dollar.
Stamping: Rotogravure.

Catalogues
- Michel Nos. 102-103.
- Scott Nos. 123-124.
- StampWorld Nos. 102-103.
- Yvert et Tellier Nos. 102-103.

Norfolk Island is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia. Together with the neighbouring Phillip Island and Nepean Island, the three islands collectively form the Territory of Norfolk.

The first known settlers in Norfolk Island were East Polynesians but they had already departed when Great Britain settled it as part of its 1788 settlement of Australia. The island served as a convict penal settlement from 6 March 1788 until 5 May 1855, except for an 11-year hiatus between 15 February 1814 and 6 June 1825, when it lay abandoned. On 29 September 1844 the administration of the island was transferred from the Colony of New South Wales to the Colony of Van Diemen's Land (the current Tasmania). On 8 June 1856, permanent civilian residence on the island began when descendents of the Bounty mutineers were relocated from Pitcairn Island. On 30 March 1914 the United Kingdom handed Norfolk Island over to Australia to administer as an external territory, but as a distinct and separate settlement.