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Norfolk Men have always been capable seamen, so starting in 1858 with two boats purchased from American whalers the Island men engaged in whaling which proved to be lucrative occupation during a time of hard economic times, allowing the island families to improve their standard of life with much needed farm and educational supplies.
It was not until 1956 that a modern whaling station was built, but it was not long until the numbers of whales was depleted by the mechanized whaling industry and this too was closed in 1962.
These stamps depict the Blessing of the whalers and their boats and another of them launching for the chase, a third shows the women and children lighting bonfires to show the men the way home at night, the last shows the products that enabled a better way of life for the Islanders. Nowadays the whales have returned and can again be seen frolicking in the waters surrounding Norfolk. We pay tribute to the brave Island men and beautiful cetaceans of the sea that paid for the Island's keep during those days of hardship for our community.

Norfolk Island 2010 60c/$3 sg?, scott? 1993 45c sg 541, scott 533a
Source: Norfolk Island Post.