Postcrossing: Beth from Australia

Beth, Australia
AU-458041
Requested Address: 4 November 2015

Received: 19 November 2015

Travel Time: 15 Days

Distance: 6,277 km

This maxi card sent to me by Beth is one of my favourite cards to date. Its stamp is part of Australia Post's "Signs of the Times" series, which was released on 1 September 2015. But aside from the aesthetically pleasing look of the postcard, what made me like it even more is the history behind the iconic Skipping Girl featured on the card and the stamp. It truly is something worth telling.

Affectionately called "Little Audrey", the Skipping Girl is one of the oldest and most famous signs in Australia. It was originally erected in 1936 on top of the Nycander factory on 627 Victoria Street, Abbotsford to advertise the Skipping Girl vinegar brand, which was owned by prominent Swedish bacteriologist Oscar Emile Nycander. It was the first animated sequence neon sign installed in Australia, and was lit every night until the factory was demolished in 1968. 

A public outcry pushed the construction of a new Skipping Girl sign, which was erected on a nearby factory two years after the original was taken down. The Skipping Girl was once again seen in action, in all her illuminated glory - just comparably smaller than the first one. 

Unfortunately in 1986, the factory where the new Skipping Girl sign was put up closed down, and the sign was switched off and remained in the dark for four years until the factory was redeveloped in 1990 and called the "Skipping Girl Place. But the re-lit sign was functioning under a contract, which expired 11 years later. 

A group of people who called themselves "Friends of Audrey" rallied in 2007 to have Little Audrey protected and lit again. The sign was then added to Victoria's Heritage register, and in 2008, funds were being raised to bring Little Audrey back to life.

Collective effort helped Little Audrey skip again in 2009. And backed by solar power, she will remain illuminated and happily skipping for years and years to come.

For more info about the Skipping Girl, check out skippinggirl.com.au.

The stamp features the illuminated version
of the Skipping Girl sign

♥Andy