South Australian student's design featured in new State coin set
30th August 2001
A new commemorative 20 cent coin for South Australia was officially launched today featuring a design by a South Australian high school student.
Lisa Murphy from Yankalilla Area School developed her design during late 2000 when she was a Year 9 student in response to a national competition run by the Royal Australian Mint. Her design was selected from over 300 entries from 111 primary and secondary schools throughout the State to form part of a special coin series commemorating Australia's Centenary of Federation.
Lisa submitted an elegant design depicting some of the South Australia's best known symbols: the flower of Sturt's Desert Pea and the Flinders Ranges, featured along with Australia's national symbol, the Southern Cross.
In launching the coin, the Federal Member for Sturt, Mr Christopher Pyne said "Lisa's design symbolises what is special about South Australia as part of the Commonwealth. As we commemorate an important milestone in our nation's history, many South Australians will appreciate the beauty and symbolism of this coin design which pays tribute to our State."
The 20c coin featuring the design by Lisa, a 50c piece depicting the South Australian Coat of Arms and a $1 coin showing the Centenary of Federation logo are combined in a Three-Coin Set for South Australia. These collector coins are now available in both proof or uncirculated versions, and will be sold throughout Australia as well as to collectors overseas. The coins will be released into general circulation later in the year.
The South Australian Three Coin Set is one of a series of nine produced by the Royal Australian Mint for all Australian States and Self-governing Territories during 2001 as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations.
The other State and Territory coin sets 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 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 in selected Australia Post outlets.
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South Australia Centenary of Federation 20c Coin - High resolution 2269x2269 pixel JPG |
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Background
About the competition
- Lisa Murphy, currently enrolled in Year 10 at Yankalilla Area School, is the designer of the winning entry in the Centenary of Federation Coin Design Competition for South Australia.
- Yankallila Area School not only submitted the South Australian winning design by Lisa Murphy, but also a runner-up design by Emma Irvine.
- The Royal Australian Mint will present Yankalilla Area School with a prize of $5,000 for submitting the winning entry, and an additional $1,000 prize for submitting the runner up design. Naracoorte High School submitted the other runner-up design and will be awarded a prize of $1,000 thanks to the efforts of James Drew.
- The winning design was chosen from over 300 entries from 111 primary and secondary schools throughout South Australia.
- The selection process occurred initially at school level, after which the Royal Australian Mint selected entries for submission to the Centenary of Federation South Australian Committee. The final winning design and runner-up designs were chosen by a panel comprised of three Federal Government Ministers.
About the coin design...
- Lisa Murphy's winning coin design features the Flinders Ranges, the flower of Sturt's Desert Pea, and the Southern Cross star constellation.
- The Flinders Ranges are the most significant elevated land masses in South Australia. About 400km long, they are renowned for their rugged and spectacular scenery. They were named in honour of the explorer, Matthew Flinders who sailed around Australia between 1801 and 1803, and who first suggested that our country be named Australia.
- Sturt's Desert Pea is South Australia's official floral emblem. The flower of Sturt's Desert Pea, with its unique shape and the contrasting red and black colours, is one of the most striking of all plants of inland Australia. Its common name commemorates the achievements of Captain Charles Sturt who explored much of South Australia's inland area.
- The Southern Cross star constellation shines brightly at night in the clear South Australian sky. The Southern Cross is a well known symbol of Australia and is represented on the official national flag.