Decimal Currency

Dollar Bill

The Australian Government’s biggest job was to educate the public about the new currency. A widespread media campaign was run from early 1965, featuring the cartoon character Dollar Bill. He is best remembered for his catchy decimal currency jingle, sung to the tune of Click Go the Shears.

What's in a Name?

Prime Minister Robert Menzies and Treasurer Harold Holt first announced that Australia’s new money system would be named the Royal. This was a highly unpopular choice, and many other names were suggested, including the Dinkum, the Kwid, the Austral and the Merino.

Changeover

On 14 February 1966, Australia converted to decimal currency (money worked out in lots of ten). Like many other countries in the world, Australia adopted a money system with a major unit (a dollar) divided into 100 smaller units (cents).

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