Australian Money

Australia changed its money denomination in 1966 and converted to the decimal system. Australian money was now based on the Australian Dollar. As with other dollar systems, it broke down into cents. The new dollar took over from the Australian Pound. The new notes and coins made in the Royal Australian Mint did suggest that the country was taking a step back from the British Commonwealth. However, Queen Elizabeth II does appear on the obverse of all coins. The banknotes are made as $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.

The Mint produces special 50-cent coins from time to time, to celebrate special occasions. There were issues for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981. The Commonwealth Games of 1982 and the Australian Bicentenary of 1988 were also commemorated. The banknotes, which are very colorful, are used to pay tribute to honored figures in Australian history. The country may still be part of the Commonwealth and, therefore the Queen’s subjects, but it is the sons and daughters of Australia that are remembered on Australian money.

One of the most internationally well-known figures on a banknote was Dame Nellie Melba, the famous soprano and opera diva. The arts were represented again with the inclusion of Banjo Paterson. He was a journalist, writer, poet and true Aussie patriot. He composed poems and ballads in tribute to Australia and particularly, the outback. He is most famous for writing the words of the nationalist song, Waltzing Matilda.

Politics and the arts meet in the form of Catherine Helen Spence, a journalist, teacher and novelist. She was also a suffragette and politician. Women’s politics again feature on Australian money with the image of Edith Cowan. She was a politician concerned with social issues and was the first woman to take a seat in the Australian Parliament. Another politician, Sir Henry Parkes, who died in 1896, was one of the original Founding Fathers.

A renowned Aboriginal was also included. David Unaipon was a man of many talents. He was a writer who re-told the traditional stories of his people and he also wrote articles for newspapers, campaigning for the rights of Aboriginals. He also found time to preach and he was a very practical man and had success as an inventor. One of his inventions, the shearing machine, was his greatest success. Another hero on Australian money was the Reverend John Flynn. He was a pilot and he set up the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the first of its kind in the world.