Australian Currency

Australia transitioned to the metric system primarily between 1970 and 1988, with the main phase-in period occurring from 1971 to 1976.
However in February 1966, we changed our currency from pounds shillings and pence (£.s.d) to dollars and cents. 

A big publicity plan was instigated

That was sixty years ago!

Time flies.

£A1 became $A2.
That meant who whole lot of new notes and coins.

Below are the latest.

A two-year period was established, during which both decimal currency and the old currency were legal tender.

Despite the planned two-year transition, the new currency was adopted rapidly, with roughly 85% of the old money removed from circulation within a few months.

Eventually the dollar and two dollar notes were replaced by coins in 1984 and 1988 respectively.The one and two cent coins were done away with in 1992.

Australia was the first country to introduce polymer (BOPP plastic) banknotes,

The first note was released in 1988 and a full transition completed by 1996. 

Developed with the CSIRO, the national Australian research agency, these notes are durable, recyclable, and secure, featuring clear windows and advanced counterfeiting protections. 

They last significantly longer than paper money, making them cost-effective.

Over 45 countries now use polymer for some or all of their currency, including Canada, the UK, Singapore, New Zealand, Romania, Philippines, and Vietnam, due to the increased security and durability.

The Australian Magpie

The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea.
There are nine recognised subspecies.
G. tibicen tibicen is a large subspecies found in southeastern Queensland, through eastern New South Wales to almost to the Victorian border.
It is coastal or near-coastal and is restricted to east of the Great Dividing Range.

That’s the one we have here.

The adult magpie is a fairly big bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm (14.5 to 17 in) in length, with black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. 

The male and female are similar in appearance, but can be distinguished by differences in back markings.
The male has pure white feathers on the back of the head where the female has white blending to grey feathers. With its long legs, the magpie walks rather than waddles or hops and spends much time on the ground.

It is a very accomplished songbird having an array of complex vocalisations as well as the ability to mimic  various sounds.
We get serenaded from morning to dusk on most days except when it’s really hot and they retire to the shade of the trees.
It eats both animal and vegetable matter with the bulk of its varied diet made up of invertebrates.
They frequent our composting vegetative matter on our garden and follow me around while I’m mowing picking up the disturbed insects.

Our guy

It is generally sedentary and territorial throughout its range.
Common and widespread, it has adapted well to human habitation and is a familiar bird of parks, gardens and farmland in Australia. 

This species is commonly fed by households around Australia, but in spring and occasionally in autumn a small minority of breeding magpies, almost always males, become aggressive swooping and attacking those who approach their nests.

Research has shown that magpies can recognise at least 100 different people and may be less likely to swoop individuals they have befriended.

We have never been swooped.We consider our small flock of around six to eight birds to be part of the family now.