Royal Australian Mint is turning 50 this weekend, it was officially opened by The Duke of Edinburgh on 22 February 1965. The Royal Australian Mint will open it factory doors to the public and offering family fun activities, entertainment and displays, Saturday 21 February 2015.
Visitors to the Mint will be able to take part in the anniversary celebrations by getting up-close to the coin making process and experience the rare opportunity to walk-through the normally high-secure factory while coin production is underway.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said the anniversary was a cause for celebration.
“For half a century the Mint has chronicled Australian society, sharing through our coins the events, people and subjects which mean the most to us as a nation. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Mint’s role in our national life,” said Ms O’Dwyer.
Royal Australian Mint CEO Mr Ross MacDiarmid said the anniversary marked a significant time for what was a monumental occasion for Australia back in 1965 when the Mint was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, along with Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies and Federal Treasurer Harold Holt.
“The Royal Australian Mint was purposefully built to make Australia’s new coinage in time for the introduction of decimal currency the following year,” said Mr MacDiarmid.
“Over one billion coins had to be made and they unveiled not only a new system of currency, but also six new coin designs 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent coins showcasing Australian wildlife.”
“Since that time the Royal Australian Mint has produced about 15 billion circulating coins, as well as circulating coins for other nations and millions of collectible coins.”
“To share in this celebration, the public are encouraged to come down to the Mint for the Open Day, meet the passionate staff and be part of the story as the rare opportunity to walk-through the factory like this shouldn’t be missed and we also have lots of other fun activities for families to enjoy while they are here.”
There will be interactive displays from the ACT Emergency Services, ACT Policing and Defence including several Bushmasters and the Gecko Gang will be busy keeping the kids entertained with jumping castles, face-painting and fairy floss.
