Australia's New $5 Note to Celebrate First Nations' Connection to Country
The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced the theme 'Connection to Country,' replacing the monarch's portrait with a design honoring Indigenous heritage and environmental stewardship.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia has chosen 'Connection to Country' as the theme for the redesigned $5 note, celebrating First Nations peoples' ties to the land, waters, and sky.
- The new design will not feature a portrait of King Charles III or any individual, marking a departure from traditional banknote designs.
- The reverse side of the note will continue to depict the Australian Parliament House, maintaining a link to the nation's political heritage.
- The theme was selected from over 2,100 public submissions, with significant input from First Nations organizations and representatives to ensure meaningful representation.
- The design process, emphasizing the overturning of terra nullius and environmental sustainability, is ongoing, with final artwork expected to take several years to complete.