Do Australians know who is on their banknotes? How many of us, if asked randomly on the street, would be able to say with certainty who Mary Reibey ($20), David Unaipon ($50), and Nellie Melba ($100) are? Extremely few of us I’d bet. Unfortunately, even less could describe their significance to Australia.

Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II – who hopefully everyone should know of by now – the Reserve Bank of Australia began the process of re-designing the $5 banknote and is currently in consultations with the Federal Treasurer and Albanese government on what the next design should be....