The Assistant Treasurer, Nick Sherry and Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, today announced that a $1 coin celebrating the Centenary of Girl Guides will be released into full circulation during 2010.
The coin will be issued by the Royal Australian Mint, which is responsible for producing all of Australia's circulating coins.
"The Mint expects to issue 30 million $1 coins in 2010 and, of these, about 5 million will be Girl Guide coins," Senator Sherry said.
"It will be only the 15th commemorative circulating $1 piece since the dollar coin was first minted in 1984."
"The Girl Guides is an important, iconic movement in Australia that has influenced many outstanding women leaders since its establishment in 1910 – so it's only fitting that as part of the Year of the Girl Guide, the Government has approved this coin."
"The Guides is the largest organisation for women and girls in the country and has counted in its ranks more than one million members, past and present," Ms Plibersek said.
"For 100 years the Guiding movement has supported Australian girls to grow into confident and inspiring young women and I was proud to today announce 2010 the Year of the Girl Guide."
"The Government acknowledges the invaluable contribution of Girl Guides Australia and will support the Centenary through funding and commemorative activities."
The previous commemorative coin to go into circulation marked the Centenary of the Scouts in 2008.
"I had the pleasure and honour of launching the Scouts coin in 2008 and I'm looking forward to completing the set for these two important associations that have nurtured our youth for so long," Senator Sherry said.
The design for the Guides dollar coin will be developed in consultation with Mint designers and Girl Guides Australia.
The coin is due to be released in September 2010.