The world learned the importance of frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic. When the majority of businesses shut down – sometimes for months at a time – in 2020 thousands of selfless frontline workers continued to show up to work everyday, putting themselves at risk of infection so that our elderly were cared for, our children were looked after and our fridges were topped up with fresh food.

Australia Post is now paying homage to “those who have continued to serve and protect their fellow Australians in the face of the global pandemic” in its latest stamp collection: frontline heroes. The new collection pays tribute to healthcare workers, Australian Defence Force members and police, educators, and essential workers like postal workers, supermarket staff and delivery drivers.

Australia Post General Manager Nicole Sheffield said the stamp designs represent the everyday heroes “who continue to keep the country moving by providing important services to the community”.

“These brave individuals have been saviours to us all through the last 12 months, caring for our most vulnerable and helping us cope with the many impacts of Covid-19,” she said. “Healthcare workers have tested millions, Australian Defence Force and the police services have helped monitor our borders and quarantine arrangements, and educators have been quick to adapt to online learning.

“Our posties, delivery drivers and supermarket staff have kept businesses running and provided access to essential products and services, and we thank them together with all Australians for their continued efforts.”

The five $1.10 stamps were designed by The Australia Post Design Studio and illustrated by Robert Elliott, and are now available at participating post offices.

First up is an image of Australia’s Defence Force members and a police officer. A second stamp design shows an Australia Post worker delivering mail, while a delivery driver can also been seen making a food drop.

The third features a supermarket worker, then a student listening in to a class conducted by her teacher over video chat. The last two stamp designs highlight our healthcare workers, with the first showing a line-up of doctors, surgeons and nurses, and second showing a paramedic, then a nurse helping an elderly patient.