The traditionalists believed the monarchy deserved to remain on our $5 note,and the recently crowned King Charles III was popular with readers like Jason.
“King Charles III has a rightful place on the note,we have not become a republic,so he is our head of state,like it or not,” he said.
Keeping Queen Elizabeth II on the note was also a popular option with many readers,including Luke,who cited the impact she has had on Australia over the past 70 years.
“Keep Elizabeth II permanently,as an acknowledgement of her contribution to Australian life and government,” he said.
There were even those who suggested keeping Elizabeth II purely to save the hassle of changing the note.
Prominent Aussies were also popular options,with many believing it was time to part ways with the royal family and foreigners in place of a local legend.
Those to receive a handful of mentions included Kylie Minogue and Steve Irwin,but the overwhelming response was for a First Nations Australian to grace our purple bill.
Uncle Jack Charles and Uncle Archie Roach were the most popular choices to join Ngarrindjeri writer and inventor David Unaipon,who graces our $50 note,as an Indigenous representative on our cash.
Uncle Jack Charles,2016’s Victorian Senior of the Year,sadly died earlier this week. He was a renowned stage and screen actor and advocate who was known for his work mentoring incarcerated Indigenous youth. He was a popular choice for the note with readers like Michael C.
“Jack Charles – he personifies the plight of the First Nations people and the ability to rise above the extended blight cast at him to reflect a persona capable of reflecting all Australians,” he said.
Gunditjmara and Bundjalong elder Uncle Archie Roach,who also died recently,was an iconic singer-songwriter and campaigner for Aboriginal Australian rights.
Beloved sports stars such as Don Bradman and Shane Warne also garnered a handful of votes,but they didn’t reach the lofty numbers of the royals or Indigenous elders.
The next most popular person was... no person at all:Native animals such as the kangaroo and koala received solid backing.
Flora and landmarks,such as Uluru,were also popular suggestions for adorning the new $5 note.
Which option is most likely to become a reality? Does anyone even use cash anymore? Time will tell.
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