Northern Territory student's design featured in first Territory coin set
25th July 2001
A new commemorative 20 cent coin for the Northern Territory, designed by a primary school student from the Territory, was officially launched in Darwin today by the Federal Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, The Hon Joe Hockey MP.
Lisa Brett from Leanyer Primary School designed the coin as part of a special series produced by the Royal Australian Mint to commemorate Australia's Centenary of Federation.
Lisa submitted her design in response to a national design competition run by the Royal Australian Mint during the second half of 2000 when she was a Year 6 student. Her design was selected from entries by 26 primary and secondary schools throughout the Northern Territory.
Her elegant design depicts a pair of brolgas performing the graceful, intricate movements for which they are renowned. The image of water represents the wetland environment that is home to the brolga, while the hills and open skies that form the background depict the beauty of the Northern Territory landscape.
"The use of commemorative coins, designed by school students from each State and Self-Governing Territory is a perfect way to celebrate this important event in our nation's history. These designs enable Australians of all ages to be included in the celebrations, and allow us to share the event with future generations of Australians," Mr Hockey said.
This will be first time that a coin set has been produced specifically for the Northern Territory. The 20c coin featuring Lisa's design, a 50c piece depicting the Northern Territory Coat of Arms and a $1 coin showing the Centenary of Federation are combined in a Three-Coin set for the Northern Territory. These collector coins are now available in both proof and uncirculated versions. The coins will be released into general circulation later in the year.
The Northern Territory Coin Set is the sixth in a series of nine to be released by the Royal Australian Mint for all Australian States and Self-governing Territories during 2001. Coin Sets for New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Victoria and Norfolk Island were recently issued. Coin sets for South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia will be released progressively over coming months.
All State and Territory coin sets will feature the common $1 coin depicting the Centenary of Federation logo, a 50c piece depicting the respective State/Territory Coat of Arms, and a 20c coin unique to each State/Territory designed by school students.
All of the coins for each State and Self-governing Territory can also be collected in a 20 coin collection. The collector coin sets are available from the Royal Australian Mint on 1300 652 020, coin dealers, and selected Australia Post outlets.
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Northern Territory Centenary of Federation 20c Coin - High resolution 2269x2269 pixel JPG |
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Background
Lisa Brett
About her coin design...
- Winner of the Northern Territory section of the Centenary of Federation Coin Design Competition conducted by the Royal Australian Mint.
- Leanyer Primary School will be presented with a prize of $5,000 from the Royal Australian Mint for submitting the winning design. Holy Spirit Primary School at Casuarina and Katherine High School will each receive $1000 for submitting the runner-up designs.
- The selection process occurred initially at the school level with the top three designs from each school being submitted, after which the Royal Australian Mint selected entries for submission to the Centenary of Federation Northern Territory Committee. A panel comprised of three Federal Government Ministers then chose the winning design from the designs short-listed by the Committee.
- Lisa's design was selected from approximately 80 entries submitted by 26 primary and secondary schools throughout the Northern Territory.
- Lisa produced a beautiful design featuring one of the Territory's best-known native birds, the Brolga, which is found in freshwater wetlands throughout the Northern Territory.
- Brolgas are renowned for their courtly dances at mating time. According to aboriginal legend, Brolga was the name of a beautiful girl who loved to dance. She was engulfed in a whirlwind by an evil spirit, and when the whirlwind passed there was no sign of her. In her place was a tall graceful bird that made the same graceful, rhythmic dance movements. Seeing the resemblance, the aborigines name the bird 'brolga'.
- The 20c coin featuring Lisa's design, along with a 50c coin featuring the Northern Territory Coat of Arms and a $1 coin featuring the Centenary of Federation logo, are combined in a special 3 Coin Set for the Northern Territory. These collector sets are now available in both proof and uncirculated versions from the Royal Australian Mint, coin dealers, and selected Australia Post outlets.
- The 20c coin featuring Lisa's design will go into general circulation later in the second half of 2001.
Personal details...
- Lisa Brett is 12 years old, and was in Year 6 at Leanyer Primary School when she submitted her design.