Description:

This set of three collectible phone cards from Telecom Australia, issued in 1994, beautifully showcases endangered Australian species through vivid, high-quality photographs paired with detailed call values and a clear thematic focus. Each card prominently features an endangered animal or bird native to Australia, highlighting conservation awareness. The cards maintain a consistent design, with a photograph of the species set against a naturalistic background, the Telecom Australia logo positioned along the left vertical margin, a usage scale in Australian dollars running horizontally along the top edge, and the denomination prominently printed in the bottom right corner. An elegant purple vertical panel, styled with “Telecom Phonecard” on the left, frames the images and enhances their collectible appeal.

The first card highlights the Western Swamp Turtle, an elusive and critically endangered reptile native to Western Australia’s seasonal wetlands. It depicts the turtle from beneath as it appears to swim through water grass, allowing a close view of its dark, textured shell marked with lighter patterns and its soft, pale yellow head with an alert expression. The $10 denomination reflects a mid-range value suitable for practical phone use or collection. The label “Endangered Species Western Swamp Turtle” serves as a reminder of its fragile status, threatened by habitat loss and environmental changes. The vivid green aquatic background emphasizes its natural habitat.

The second card features the Gouldian Finch, one of Australia’s most vibrantly colored birds, perched calmly on a branch within a lush setting. The bird is shown in full profile, showcasing its signature bright red face, striking purple chest, radiant yellow belly, and contrasting green back feathers. The blurred background of natural foliage creates a beautiful representation of the finch’s native savannah woodlands. Valued at $20, this card signifies a higher-tier collectible, reflecting the Finch’s prized status among birdwatchers and collectors. The image underscores the bird’s fragility and its importance within Australia’s biodiversity, emphasizing how habitat pressures threaten its once-abundant populations.

The third card centers on the Bilby, a small desert marsupial distinguished by its large ears and long, pointed snout. The image, set against a dry, reddish-orange earth environment, shows the bilby in a curious posture, as if sniffing or listening intently. The lighting highlights its soft, greyish fur and distinctive features, emphasizing its status as an iconic Australian desert species. Priced at $5, this card offers an accessible collectible representing a species threatened by introduced predators and habitat degradation. Together, these three cards form a meaningful thematic set that combines conservation messaging with appealing visuals, raising awareness of Australia’s endangered wildlife through a popular mid-90s telecommunications medium.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.