03/03/2001
The Royal Australian Mint today announced the winner of the Norfolk Island section of the national Centenary of Federation coin design competition.
The winning design was prepared by Megan Cummings, a student at Norfolk Island Central School.
Megan's design will be officially unveiled on 8 June, Bounty Day and an important holiday on the Island.
Background
Late last year the Royal Australian Mint conducted a nation-wide competition to find a school student from every Australian State and self-governing Territory whose Centenary of Federation design will appear on a nationally-circulated 20c coin. The competition is a key element of the Mint's Centenary of Federation Coin Program, and supports the aim of involving Australians from every corner of our country in the Centenary of Federation celebrations.
The Norfolk Island design is the fifth of nine to be announced during 2001. Each State and self-governing Territory will have its own student-designed 20 cent coin, as well as a 50 cent coin bearing its official coat of arms. The student designs will be unveiled close to the time of the official Centenary of Federation celebrations in every State and Territory. The coins will be released in both collector and circulating form during the course of the year.
The Royal Australian Mint will present the cheque for $5,000 to Norfolk Island Central School. In addition, Michael Lloyd and Joshua Billman each submitted designs considered meritorious.
Mr Graeme Moffatt, Controller of the Mint, said "During a year when Australia celebrates its nationhood, it's important to remember the self-governing Territory of Norfolk Island. These collector coins and a nationally-circulated 20c coin will, no doubt, raise awareness among mainland Australians of this Pacific Ocean island. Numismatically this coin will be of very great interest as no coins have previously been struck specifically for Norfolk Island". He expressed special thanks to the school principal and teachers on Norfolk Island who encouraged their students to submit designs.