New Coin Commemorates Indigenous Military Personnel

The Royal Australian Mint has released a new $2 coin.

Inspired by the artwork of Chern’ee Sutton, the design of the coin is rich with Indigenous and military symbols that represent the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served in the Australian Defence Force.

Chern’ee, a Kalkadoon woman, is an award-winning artist living and working in Brisbane.

In 2018, she was the artist in residence at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Athletes Village where she met staff from the Royal Australian Mint who were creating the medals.

After displaying her Games artwork at the Royal Australian Mint, a discussion about designing a coin began.

In addition, Chern’ee had worked with the Australian Defence Force on various projects including the painting on their Reconciliation Action Plan, a piece for the Department of Veterans Affairs and more.

‘So the collaboration with the Mint and the Defence Force was perfect,’ Chern’ee said.

Her work on the new coin took almost 2 years and involved much discussion.

‘I had to do a lot of research and came up with several concepts and also had to get permission from the defence force to use the camouflage and sketch up the design, then paint it on the canvas.’

Chern’ee also relied on inspiration.

‘I wanted to effectively represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have served throughout history as well as their journeys and the conflicts which they have fought in,’ she said.

‘[The coin] features a black hand-print in the centre, surrounded by three rows of dots in the colours of the Defence Forces Tri-Service Flag.’

‘The snake surrounding the handprint represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history as well as the personnel’s journeys from their communities to serving our country to returning home.’

This concept is close to home for Chern’ee whose grandpa Sapper Martin Connelly served in the Second World War, something of which she is very proud. She also has a cousin who is currently serving.

Chern’ee said she is honoured to have been commissioned to design the coin’s artwork.

‘It is a timely tribute to their sacrifices made for all of us. It’s about reconciliation. It’s about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people sacrificing their lives for a country that didn’t even recognise them as people as well as the bond that was forged by many Indigenous and non-Indigenous service personnel when serving together as they were brothers in arms.’

‘The Australian Defence force has often been a pillar for reconciliation and this coin is helping all Australians to move forward together. I hope that when Australians see this significant coin in their change, they think about the sacrifices that our proud Indigenous service men and women have made.’