by Sienna, age 9, asks how much Christmas stamps cost, about the ACT, and Australia’s capital choice
Dear Santa,
Gday from Canberra. My name is Sienna and I am 9 years old. My grandma sends Christmas cards to what feels like everyone she has ever met, and every December she spreads envelopes and stamps across the whole kitchen table like she is running her very own tiny post office.
My first question is: how much do Christmas stamps usually cost?
My second question is geography: what territory is Canberra actually located in?
My third question is from school: why isn’t Sydney or Melbourne the capital of Australia?
I left you a lamington and a glass of cold milk.
Love, Sienna, age 9, Canberra, Australia
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Sienna, a lamington is always a treat, coconut and chocolate together at last. Now, to help your grandma with her tiny post office operation, and your other questions.
How much do Christmas stamps usually cost?
Special holiday stamps are almost always priced the same as regular standard postage stamps, since they are simply a festive design rather than a different type of service. The exact price changes over time and depends on the country, so the best way to know the current cost is to check your national postal service website or ask at the post office directly, since prices are adjusted periodically. Your grandma is likely just paying the normal going rate for a letter, dressed up in a much prettier design.
What territory is Canberra actually located in?
Canberra sits in the Australian Capital Territory, often shortened to the ACT, a small self-governing territory carved out specifically to hold the nation’s capital, rather than sitting inside any of Australia’s states.
Why isn’t Sydney or Melbourne the capital of Australia?
When Australia became a federation in 1901, Sydney and Melbourne were rivals, each wanting to be the capital, and neither side would agree to let the other win. As a compromise, a brand new city was planned and built roughly halfway between the two, and Canberra was chosen and developed specifically to serve as a neutral capital, officially taking on the role in 1927.
Give your grandma a hand with those envelopes, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
