THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION $5 NOTE

Design Elements

FRONT

Portrait of Sir Henry Parkes

Based on an 1892 painting of Parkes by Tom Roberts. The painting is owned by the Art Gallery of South Australia, who provided permission for the use of the image.

To the right of the main portrait is a smaller image of Parkes based on the same portrait.

'Opening of Australia's First Federal Parliament' scene

Based on part of the Tom Roberts painting Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York (Later King George V), May 9, 1901. The painting was completed in 1903.

The painting is on permanent loan to the Parliament of Australia from the British Royal Collection. Permission to use the image was granted by the Parliament House Art Collection, after referral and approval from the Surveyor of The Queen's Pictures.

Federation Pavilion

The Federation Pavilion was constructed during 1900 in Centennial Park, Sydney, and became the focus of the Sydney celebrations on 1 January 1901 for the declaration of the Commonwealth of Australia, which included the swearing in of the first Governor General (Lord Hopetown) and the Federal Ministry. The image is based on various photographs taken on 1 January 1901, mainly from newspaper articles of the time.

Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

Completed in 1880, the Royal Exhibition Building was the site of the opening of the first parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The designer's interpretation is based on various references, including original architectural drawings from the late 1800s.

Tenterfield School of Arts Building

This was the location of Sir Henry Parkes' famous speech on 24 October 1889, which called for a national parliament and a federated Australia. The designer's interpretation is based on several photographs and drawings of the building as it was in 1889, which were provided by the State Library of NSW.

State Badges

The State badges are interpretations based on the Australian Coat of Arms.

Parkes' Tenterfield Speech (microprinting)

Excerpts from Parkes' speech appear as microprinting on this side of the note. Based on newspaper reports at the time, with references provided by the State Library of NSW.

Parkes Signature

Based on a reference provided by the State Library of NSW.

BACK

Portrait of Catherine Helen Spence

Based on a painting by Margaret Preston. The painting is owned by the Art Gallery of South Australia, who provided permission for the use of the image.

Historical People

This element comprises six small portraits of active campaigners for Federation, one from each of the six states. Those portrayed are Andrew Inglis Clark (Tasmania), Edmund Barton (New South Wales), John Forrest (Western Australia), Alfred Deakin (Victoria), Charles Kingston (South Australia) and Samuel Griffith (Queensland).

Andrew Inglis Clark was a prominent member of the constitutional drafting committee for Federation and played an important role in the Federation movement. He became a senior judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 1901.

Edmund Barton was a principal figure in the federation movement and became Australia's first Prime Minister in 1901.

John Forrest was Premier of Western Australia from 1890 until Federation in 1901 and one of the founding fathers of Federation. He is also regarded as one of the last great Australian inland explorers.

Alfred Deakin was the outstanding leader of Victoria's federation movement and a pivotal figure in persuading fellow colonists to accept a federation of states. He was Prime Minister three times and one of Australia's great statesmen.

Charles Kingston was a notable and ardent reformer. He was Premier of South Australia from 1893 to 1899, and is remembered for his great contribution to the federation movement.

Samuel Griffith was the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and the main draftsman of the Bill which formed the basis of the Australian Constitution. He was regarded by Barton as 'the greatest lawyer in the Commonwealth'.

References for the portraits in this element were from various photographs and drawings that were mainly provided by the State Library of NSW.

State Children's Department Building

Spence served on the State Children's Council and its predecessor from 1872, working with and for state children for at least thirty-eight years – a cause that was very dear to her.

Based on a photograph taken circa 1910, which appeared in the Report of the State Children's Council for 1914.

The photograph is owned by the Department of Human Services of South Australia, who has given approval for the use of the image.

Advance Australia Fair (microprinting)

An early version of 'Advance Australia Fair' was sung at the inauguration ceremony at Centennial Park on 1 January 1901. 'Advance Australia Fair' was proclaimed as Australia's national anthem by the Governor-General on 19 April 1984. Excerpts from the current version of the anthem are reproduced as microprinting on this side of the note.

Spence's Signature

Based on a reference provided by the State Library of NSW.

Sunburst

This element is a symbolic reference to Australia's warm, sunny climate and broad horizons. It is an interpretation by the designer taken from various posters and formal invitations to the 1901 Federation celebrations. Reference material was provided by the State Library of NSW.

Southern Cross

The reference for this element was the Australian flag.

Wattle element

Stylised interpretation of a spray of wattle.

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Security Features

The Federation $5 note incorporates the following security features:

• The clear window contains embossing of the number '5'. Part of the window has a mauve appearance.
• Slightly raised printing can be felt by running a finger or fingernail across the main design elements, such as the portraits, the denomination numeral and the word Australia.
• The words of Parkes' Tenterfield speech (front) and 'Advance Australia Fair' (back) are reproduced in microprint and can be read with the aid of a magnifying glass.
• When the note is held to the light, a seven pointed star within a circle is formed by four points on one side of the note combining perfectly with three points on the other side.
• A hidden '5' below the small printed triangle in the bottom right hand corner of the back of the note is revealed when that area of the note is viewed through the mauve coloured area of the clear window. Fold the note so that the triangle in the window is on top of, and in direct contact with, the printed triangle. To accentuate the effect, move the triangle in the window around the printed triangle.
• Intricate, multi-coloured, fine-line patterns and images appear on each side of the note.
• The serial number of each note is printed vertically on the back of the note. Under ultraviolet light the serial number fluoresces.
• Under ultraviolet light on the back of the note, the stars of the Southern Cross, the sunburst, the yellow orientation bars at the top and bottom of the note, and the wattle flowers fluoresce. Also, a spray of wattle leaves and the numeral '5', that are normally not visible, become visible under ultraviolet light.
  

If you would like to see some examples of these features or find out more about the security features incorporated in our other notes, visit our Security Features on Australia's Notes page.