Events

2013: The Year of Anniversaries

Two significant anniversaries occur in 2013: the bicentenary of the first distinctive coin of New South Wales, known as the Holey Dollar (1813), and the centenary of the first currency note issued by the Australian nation (1913). Read more.

Australia Day 2013 26 January 2013: On Australia Day the Bank's Museum of Australian Currency Notes will be open to the public. Visitors can also view the Museum's permanent collection, and learn the story of our currency against the backdrop of Australia's economic and social development from colonial settlement through to the current era of polymer notes.

History Week 2012 8–16 September 2012: History Week 2012 focuses on the history of dress, affording us the opportunity to review individuals who feature on our banknotes, and to discover characteristics of their clothes. The character of ‘Dollar Bill’ instructed us in the new system of decimal currency in 1966; he now guides us on a tour of select historical figures, and reveals the changing styles of their dress during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

NAIDOC Week 2012 1–8 July 2012: The Reserve Bank of Australia recognises NAIDOC week, in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is celebrated. The Bank has chosen to acknowledge the significant contribution of Indigenous Australian artists to the nation's cultural identity by displaying a selection of Aboriginal artwork from our archives.

Australia Day 2012 26 January 2012: On Australia Day the Bank's Museum of Australian Currency Notes was open to the public. Visitors viewed the Museum's permanent collection, and learnt the story of our currency against the backdrop of Australia's economic and social development from colonial settlement through to the current era of polymer notes. Visitors had the final chance to explore the ‘ Hidden History of Banking ’ exhibit of original records of convicts' deposits held by the Bank and learn about the convicts who appear on our banknotes. On the centenary of Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antartic Expedition visitors could see the first $100 banknote in his honour.

History Week 2011 5–9 September 2011: History Week is an annual event organised by the History Council of New South Wales to showcase the rich, diverse history produced by organisations and individuals across the state. History Week 2011 focused on the history of Australian food and drink, and the Reserve Bank’s Museum highlights the associations between this theme and the history of our currency.

NAIDOC Week 2011 4–8 July 2011: The Reserve Bank of Australia recognises NAIDOC week, in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is celebrated. The Bank has chosen to acknowledge the significant contribution of Indigenous Australian artists to the nation's cultural identity by displaying a selection of Aboriginal artwork from our archives.

Australia Day 2011 26 January 2011: On Australia Day the Bank's Museum of Australian Currency Notes will be open to the public. On this day, and as the Bank's 50th Anniversary concludes, there will be a final opportunity to view two special exhibitions, ‘ Planned for Progress ’ and ‘ Reflections of Martin Place ’, which include artworks and photographs from the Bank's archives.

History Week 2010 4–11 September 2010: As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we displayed a photographic wrap on our building’s facade. It showed faces in the street who have witnessed important events in Martin Place. Our Museum also displays the faces of the interesting characters on our banknotes.

NAIDOC Week 2010 4–11 July 2010: A selection of Aboriginal artwork from the Bank's Archives acknowledged the significant contribution of Indigenous Australian artists to the nation's cultural identity.

History Week 2009 5–13 September 2009: Our Curator, John Murphy, will speak on how forgers and forgery have made their mark on life in Australia and our banknotes.