The banknote celebrating the Centenary of Federation was issued in January 2001. It featured two prominent figures: Sir Henry Parkes, often referred to as the “Father of Federation,” and Catherine Helen Spence, a trailblazer for women’s rights in Australia12. The geometric patterns on the back of the banknote are based on architectural features of the New Parliament House1. This banknote holds historical significance, marking the unification of Australia’s six self-governing colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia.
