Funny you say that Frank as technically-trained Australians today hold a coveted reputation the world over.. specially in medical R&D. *The medical application of Penicillin (Howard Florey), *Grey-scale Ultrasound scanner (David Robinson and George Kossoff) *Gardasil and Cervarix cancer vaccines (Professor Ian Frazer) *Cochlear implant "bionic ear" (Professor Graeme Clark) * Electronic pacemaker ( Dr Mark Lidwill and physicist Edgar Booth) * Spray-on skin (Professor Fiona Wood) * Flu vaccine Relenza. (CSIRO)
@Craig Swanson My mention of the experience of considering relocation happened in the late 1960s, very long ago. Things have surely changed "down under" since then, I would think. Frank
@Holly Saunders (GULP!) I guess I said that because I'm still so confused about how your currency works......If I remember right, it's not based on multiples of 10? Or, I'm wrong. Is the British Pound broken down in some even multiples way? So, I looked it up: "Prior to decimalization in 1971 Britain used a system of pounds, shillings and pence. ('£sd' or 'LSD'). The smallest unit of currency was a penny, the plural of which was pence (orpennies). There were 12 pence in a shilling and 20 shillings in a pound. The pound came in the form of a paper bill, called a note, or a gold coin, called a sovereign. 1 farthing (the lowest value coin) = 1/4 penny A ha'penny (Half penny - a copper coin) = 1/2 penny (pronounced "heipni") 1 penny (a copper coin) = one of the basic units (1d) Threepence or Thruppenny Bit = 3 pence (pronounced "thrupence") Sixpence (a silver coin also called a 'tanner') = 6 pence 1 shilling = 12 pence (1s) 1 florin (a silver coin that numismatists regard as one of the most beautiful medieval English coins) = 2 shillings A half-crown = 2 shillings and 6 pence 1 crown = 5 shillings = 1/4 pound 1 pound = 20 shillings = 240 pence (£1) 1 sovereign = a gold coin with a face value of one pound (about .24 ounces of 22 carat gold) Farthings were not produced after 1956 and were withdrawn in 1960, because of inflation. In preparation for decimalisation, the ha'penny was withdrawn in 1969, with the half-crown being withdrawn the year after." See: http://www.studyenglishtoday.net/british-money.html With all due regard, that was how I thought it still worked, complicated it was. Not anymore. Still don't know if that system was used in early Australia. Frank
Our money is Metric @Frank Sanoica , and has been for almost 50 years, which means it's based on Multiples of 10... 10 x1p = 10p... 10 x10p = £1.00 .. etc!! Our coins are as follows.. 1p 2p 5p 10p 20p 50p £1.00 £2.00 Then polymer notes £5..£10..£20..£50 etc...
@Holly Saunders Very similar, then, except for "exchange value". When I traveled to Europe ~ 1972, 1L = $4.40 USD, today much less, ~ $1.25USD. We have fewer coins, and they are often wanting to eliminate the penny. We have no 2p or 20p, but have 25p. $2.00 bill phased out years ago. Interestingly, we had currency of $500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, and 100,000 which are still circulating, but only unofficially, in collectors' hands. 500s sell for roughly twice face value, but 10,000s are at $140,000! Curiously, and it has always confused me, casino gaming here uses "chips" valued at $1, 5, 20 and 100, whereas our currency has $25 instead of $20......
That's odd indeed!! We have been trying to e;eliminate the penny also..but it failed yet again in Parliament just the other day...
Sorry I didn’t get back to you more quickly. I went through seminary in the late 70’s thru the early 80’s with a couple of Australian twins who attended for a year or so. They were telling me of the plan over lunch one day so it was just one of those things that stuck in my head for later reference. I considered consulting with the Australian consulate but life happens and some of the smaller dreams seem to be placed on the back burner never to be adequately “cooked”.
@Craig Swanson @Holly Saunders I have several English and Australian coins that I found cleaning out one of my memento drawers. They are noted in red. Would they be useable today? Thanks @Frank Sanoica . for the listing. A ha'penny (Half penny - a copper coin) = 1/2 penny (pronounced "heipni") Aus 1916 Eng 1921 1 penny (a copper coin) = one of the basic units (1d) Aus Geo V 1936, Geo VI 1942 ; Eng Geo V 1914, 1936 Threepence or Thruppenny Bit = 3 pence (pronounced "thrupence") Sixpence (a silver coin also called a 'tanner') = 6 pence 1 shilling = 12 pence (1s) 1 florin (a silver coin that numismatists regard as one of the most beautiful medieval English coins) = 2 shillings. Aus Geo VI 1941 Eng Geo V 1916 A half-crown = 2 shillings and 6 pence 1 crown = 5 shillings = 1/4 pound Aus Geo VI 1937 1 pound = 20 shillings = 240 pence (£1) 1 sovereign = a gold coin with a face value of one pound (about .24 ounces of 22 carat gold)
Well, now thank you there. If you decide you don't want those coins you can mail them over to me. I have some American pennies, a few English coins, a couple of Spannish coins, and an old token or two.They would b lend in well and make me feel I was somebody.
So, if not kangaroos, then what about this little fellow ........is it even real, and if so, what IS it , @Craig Swanson ?
@Yvonne Smith . Got me baffled and I figured I knew all of our native fauna. Will have to research this little fellar. I can tell you that Australia is home to some of the most unique marsupials on the planet Yvonne.