That's a woman on the ten dollar note?

My place in time #48 - Ten dollars in my currency

The kindy where Summer goes to playgroup, has a cool poster on the wall, showing the different notes and who are on them. Being a lover of knowledge, I was totally intrigued, casually reading this poster, while I sat on a miniature chair, mindlessly playing with sparkly cinnamon scented playdough.

Every Australian note denomination features an exceptionally amazing woman on one of their sides, something else that has only just come to my attention. I did not know this.

Quite frankly I never really had a good look at the money in my wallet, and to tell the truth, they don't stay in my wallet long enough to get a look in. Especially the one hundred dollar note. They are NEVER in my wallet long, if at all! Mind you, five dollars doesn't stay in my wallet long. You can actually buy half decent wine with a five dollar note. Leaning more on the side of half, than decent.

The ten dollar note depicts famous poet Henry Lawson and fellow writer, journalist and poet, Dame Mary Gilmore. 

Mary, in her time, was a national literary icon. She was the first female member of the Australian Workers Union, though rumoured to have joined under her brothers name. She wrote for several publications and published many works of wonderful poetry.

She used her influence to campaign for the rights of aborigines, women's rights, health and pensions. These issues were featured strongly in her writing.

She died in 1962 at the ripe old age of 97, and was given a state funeral. The first for a writer since Henry Lawson in 1922.

Her biography reads an amazing life. One I am in awe of. Admiration. Respect.

The things you learn at kindy, when you're 42!

Of course the $5 dollars note has the Queen on it. However, the previous paper five dollar note bore the face of Caroline Chisholm. Up until 1993, when the new polymer ten dollar note was introduced, she had been the only other woman, besides the Queen to have been pictured on any Australian currency. Caroline worked tirelessly for better conditions for women in employment and education, and the safe passage of families to Australia.

The $20 note, issued in 1994,  features Mary Reibey. Mary was sent to Australia in 1792, convicted of stealing a horse, in her teens. After the death of her husband she inherited and grew a successful portfolio of properties and businesses. 

The $50 dollar note, issued in 1995, has Edith Cowan on one of its faces. She was the first female member of the Australian parliament, being elected into Legislative Assembly in 1921. It would take another 89 years for Australia to have our first female prime minister, in 2010.

Dame Nellie Melba features on the $100 note. The new polymer note was issued in 1996, twelve years after the first ever one hundred dollar note was introduced. From Melbourne, Melba, born born Helen Porter Mitchell, was an internationally famous soprano, touring Australia and Europe. She was also known for her tireless charitable works during World War 1. 

All of these amazing Australian women are known for their charitable works, and campaigns for the rights of all citizens.

$10 worth of change. 

Just a bit of nostalgia playing with these stamps at kindy. Who remembers the one and two cent pieces?! 

Ten dollars would mean different things to different people. I know that ten dollars would get me a loaf of cheap bread, a couple cartons of UHT milk and some fruit (or a bottle of wine and a block of chocolate). Others it would be two litres of real milk and a loaf of good bread. Some a cup of coffee and some cake.

What does ten dollars get you?

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