As part of Australian Heritage Week, I am delighted to announce that the Royal Australian Mint will be added to the Commonwealth Heritage List.
The Royal Australian Mint is Australia’s sole producer of circulating currency and being added to the Commonwealth Heritage List recognises the Mint’s significant role in the development of our nation.
The Mint was specially constructed to produce the mass quantities of coinage needed for the conversion to decimal currency when Australia said goodbye to pounds, shillings and pence and hello to dollars and cents.
The Mint is also the only Australian Mint to be established independently of the Royal Mint in London.
Its architectural style, known as stripped classical architecture, identifies the Mint as a national institution, as well as a working factory.
This architectural style is shared with other significant buildings around Canberra, including Old Parliament House and the National Library.
The Commonwealth Heritage List recognises significant historic, Indigenous and natural heritage places owned or controlled by the Australian Government.
Many of these places reflect Australia’s development as a nation, including other national institutions like the National Library, National Gallery and High Court.
All Australians are invited to join in a national celebration of our unique and special heritage this Australian Heritage Week, which runs from Saturday 16 April to Sunday 24 April.
From heritage walks to open days, community fairs, festivals, seminars, tours of historic buildings and hands on activities for children, participating in Australian Heritage Week is a great way to celebrate.
(ENDS)