In the early days of the Australian FRAMA machines, we saw three versions of FRAMA labels “security” paper before the wall paper designs were firmly adopted.

One, on plain paper,' was only intended for the pre-commissioning testing of the vending machines and as such should not be available to the public. However, there are many instances where the plain paper had inadvertently been left in the

machine when made available for public use. The documented cases are the first day of use at Casuarina, Northern Territory and Penrith, NSW, Cairns Mail Centre and Bundall PO, Qld. This paper had no design nor helicon content and is not a security paper.

The second type, usually referred to as the first design or the barred design was in service from the introduction of the FRAMA machines in February 1984 until October 21, 1985. A late use until November 8, 1985 occurred at Upper Mt Gravatt.

The third type, usually referred to as the second design or the roo design was placed in service on October 22, 1985 and was still in use at the time of writing. Two printings of this design have occurred.

When the FRAMA machines were being considered for use, discussions were held on the need for a security design on the paper and tiv~ form the imprint should take. At that stage, all countries except Belgium had adopted some form of security pattern on the paper though all were of a simple unobtrusive nature.

Samples of the designs being used by the European Administrations were submitted by FRAMA AG but it was felt that more appropriate designs could be obtained.

Leigh-Mardon P/L were commissioned to prepare designs but these were not accepted by the Stamp Advisory Committee. Harry Williamson who had designed the Australian $100 note was then commissioned to produce the barred design.

Thoughts were given to a design based on some classical motif associated with Australian stamps. Two motifs were considered. The first was the classic "kangaroo and emu" first introduced in the 1913/14 King George V Penny Red. The other was the gumnut and wattle motif first seen in the King George VI 2 ½d  Red of 1942. As we will see, both ideas were developed but in a definite "modern" style.

Three basic motifs evolved which can be basically classed as a "wallpaper" design of:

• kangaroos
• cockatoos
• gumnuts and leaves.

The designs were submitted to the Stamp Advisory Committee in October, 1984 which gave preference to the kangaroo design. The cockatoo design was incorporated into the 1985 Vending Machine Booklet which must be regarded as a related issue.

Extracted from FRAMA Australia by Ken Sparks