Australia Twenty Dollars Knowing Your Note

Denomination: $20
Date of first release: 31 October 1994
Designer: Gary Emery
Size: 65 mm x 144 mm

Stories Behind The Faces

Obverse
Mary Reibey who came to the colony of New South Wales in October 1792 as a convict barely 15 years-old. At the age of 17 she married Thomas Reibey who became a successful businessman in cargo and shipping. When Thomas Reibey died in 1811 Mary assumed sole responsibility for his numerous enterprises as well as caring for their seven children. By then a wealthy woman, she continued to expand her business interests, acquiring extensive property holdings (including a building in George Street Sydney, featured on the note) and extending her shipping operations, (the ‘Mercury”, one of her ship, is also depicted on the note). Mary also gained wide respect for her numerous charity works and interest in the church and education. She died in 1855.

Reverse

Reverend John Flynn, founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who was instrumental in setting up the Australian Inland Mission. Keenly aware of the isolation of people living in inland Australia, Flynn believed that a “mantle of safety” could be created by the establishment of an aerial metical services and by the introduction of radio communication. Depicted on the note is a stylized pedal ireless and a medical body chart used by people of the outback to describe by radio the location of an illness or injury. Despite many set backs, Flynn’s dream became a reality. In 1928, the DeHavilland 50 aircraft “Victory” as shown on the note) answered the first call received by the Aerial Medical Service, which was later to become known as the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Flynn’s vision finally led to the establishment of thirteen flying doctors based around Australia which today spread a “mantle of safety” across 6.9 millions square kilometers or 80% of the Australian continent. Flynn died in 1951.

Other features
* Clear window surrounding a printed image of a compass;
* Raised print, which can be felt, is used for the portrait;
* Microprinting incorporated in the design on either side of the note;
* Intricate multi coloured, fine line patterns;
* When the note is held up to the light, a seven-pointed star within a circle is formed; and the Australian Coat of Arms is visible underneath other printing, similar to a watermark on paper notes.