Sir Edmund Hillary was a man of mountains and other adventurer. He achieved global fame as the conqueror the world’s highest mountain, Mount of Everest, in 1953. Sir Edmund Hillary died in January 2008.
In November 2008, New Zealand Post issued the special commemorative stamp series to pay tribute to this great man and his extraordinary achievements.
50c – Sir Edmund Hillary.
Sir Edmund Hillary is an ordinary man who achieved extraordinary things, who tackled everything from aircraft navigation to beekeeping, mountain climbing to jet-boating, and international diplomacy to becoming the only living New Zealander.
$1.00 – Mount Everest.
On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first in the world to achieve the top of Mount Everest. The only two of British expedition to reach the summit. Sir Ed earned his title- Knight Commander on the Order of the British Empire.
$1.50 – Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Sir Ed’s explorations continued with climbing ten other peaks in the Himalayas between 1956-1965, and in 1958 led a New Zealand group taking part in the British Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Sir Ed’s group was the first to reach the South Pole overland since Amundsen in 1911 and Scott in 1912, and the first to use motor vehicles.
$2.00 – Himalayan Trust
In 1960 he established Himalayan Trust, a non profit organisation dedicated to improving the conditions and lives of the Nepalese, a people in desperate need of schools and medical services.
In four decades he helped to establish more than 30 schools, two hospitals and 12 medical clinics, as well as two airstrips to make it easier to bring in suppliers.
$ 2.50 – Knight of the Garter.
In 1955, Sir Ed was appointed to the Order of the Garter, the highest possible achievement in the United Kingdom honours system.
He also received a number of other honours, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Indian Government’s second-highest civilian honour, the Polar medal for his part in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition and the Order of New Zealand.
He also became and honorary citizen of Nepal, the first foreign national to receive such an honour from the Nepalese Government.
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