Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a planned luncheon to mark the occasion has been postponed.

For secretary John Pratt, the move to postpone has been disappointing but in today's current climate was "necessary".

"It's a shame but at the moment that's the world we live in and we will wait and see how things pan out, how protocols change," he said.

"The society will actually turn 50 in November, our first meeting was November 1970 and we'll see how things go if we can hold something then or even early next year.

"It all depends on the coronavirus."

Not sure what a philatelic society is?

Simply, it's collecting stamps.

But also includes other postal matter as a hobby or an investment, the study of postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, covers, and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history.

Mr Pratt joined the Shoalhaven society in 1989 and has been collecting stamps all his life.

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"I've always collected. I had an interest in stamps when I was a kid and my English teacher back then was a friend of my uncles and encouraged it. It grew from there and I've collected all my life," he said.

He says he couldn't put a number on how many stamps he has in his collection.

Why? What is it about stamps?

"I've always enjoyed the history of the places the stamps come from," he said.

"I tend to collect from countries that no longer issue stamps.

"A lot of countries, including Australia, are always issuing new stamps - at least with a dead country you know there is only a certain number of stamps - you know what you've got to get and are not surprised."

Mr Pratt said he stopped collecting Australian stamps in 2006 after Australia Post released 80 new stamps for the gold medallists at the Commonwealth Games.

"I couldn't handle that," he said.

"Ironically, to try and get or buy a new stamp of that particular set now is virtually impossible - so few were attached to letters they are very hard to come by.

"Modern stamps, particularly used ones in good condition, are actually difficult to find so few are put on parcels, letters etc these days.

"In the old days, you used to have to put the stamps on parcels to cover the postage, you could get heaps on one package - now Australia Post generally issues receipts on weight etc and that gets stuck on the parcel.

"Same with registered post - now it gets a sticker rather than extra stamps."

He says it will be a sad day but he can see a time when stamps will be no more.

"Possibly down the track I can see that happening," he said.

"Hopefully, it happens long after I'm gone.

"But also, Australia Post releases about maybe up to 100 new stamps a year, ordinary stamps are now $1.10 so that's an easy $100 if you're into collecting - a bit of the goose with the golden egg."

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What's kept the Shoalhaven group going for so long?

"I think, back when we formed lots of people used to collect stamps," he said.

"We're finding at the moment we are getting around two to three new members a year.

"Often people, who were into collecting, have left it for a while and we are finding when they retire they are looking for something to do and get back into it.

"And it is a hobby anyone can pursue and you don't have to be cashed up, have a huge budget or be wealthy. It all depends on what you want to collect.

"People can collect stamps of so many different things - on that front the choices are endless."

The Shoalhaven Philatelic Society has more than 30 members from the local area and even some from further afield,

It usually meets on the second Monday of each month, except for January, from 7pm at the Nowra Bowling Club, however at the moment with current COVID restrictions meetings are in recess with Mr Pratt hoping, as things "slowly return to normal", a meeting in July might even be possible.

For further information on the Shoalhaven Philatelic Society contact secretary John Pratt on 4421 4624.