The Minister for Financial Services & Regulation, Joe Hockey, today unveiled in Darwin a new commemorative 20 cent coin for the Northern Territory, designed by a primary school student from the Territory.
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.
"Coinage is crucial in reflecting the mood of a nation and reminding it, each and every day, of who it is and where it has been," the Minister said.
"So it will be Lisa's designed 20c piece which Australians will use now - and in the future - when putting coins into a parking meter, picking up a newspaper or buying a loaf of bread.
"There is no event more worthy of commemoration than our nation's 100th birthday. That is what we want future generations to remember about us as we go about our business in 2001."
During 2000, the Royal Australian Mint ran competitions across the country for students to produce coin designs for their state or territory. The coins designed by Lisa and her counterparts form part of the Centenary of Federation 20 coin set.
Coin sets are available from the Royal Australian Mint on 1300 652 020, coin dealers and Australia Post.