A Bicentennial Reflection: The 1988 Banknote Commemorating the First Fleet’s Arrival
In commemorating the First Fleet’s arrival, the 1988 Bicentennial banknote offers both celebration and reflection. It brings together the profound depth of Indigenous Australian culture, symbolized by the young Aboriginal man and traditional artifacts, with the historical significance of European settlement scenes. Through these designs, the banknote highlights layers of Australia’s origin story—an enduring Indigenous heritage alongside ambitious colonial pursuits.
As the nation’s first polymer currency, it also marks a milestone in technological innovation, foreshadowing Australia’s leadership in secure and durable banknotes. Ultimately, this commemorative note stands as a testament to Australia’s complex past and evolving identity, reminding us that acknowledgement of traditional custodians and their living culture is essential to the country’s shared future.
Indigenous Australian culture represents one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world, spanning tens of thousands of years before European settlement. This long history is deeply connected to the land and sea, with distinct customs, languages, and beliefs shaped by the unique Australian environment. At the heart of Indigenous culture lies the concept of the Dreaming (or Dreamtime): a complex spiritual framework that explains the origins of the world, the journeys of ancestral beings, and the profound relationship between people, animals, and the land. It is through the Dreaming that many Indigenous communities trace their lineage, understand their obligations to country, and sustain their cultural identity.
Integral to this identity are storytelling and oral traditions, passed down through generations to preserve history, morality, and law. Song, dance, and art serve as vivid expressions of these narratives, capturing the natural rhythms of daily life alongside spiritual echoes of ancestral deeds. For instance, traditional dot paintings and rock art often depict stories of Creation or record historical events. Each symbol, color palette, and technique used in these artworks has its own cultural significance. Beyond aesthetics, these forms of artistic expression hold ceremonial importance, used in rituals designed to maintain harmony between communities and the environment.
Indigenous Australians have a deep-rooted connection to their homelands, or “Country,” which extends beyond mere geography. Within many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, Country is perceived as a living entity—an ancestor that provides physical nourishment and spiritual guidance. This perspective shapes a communal approach to resource management and stewardship of the land. Customary laws and practices govern hunting, gathering, and ceremonial rites, ensuring that resources are respected and regenerated for future generations.
The cultural richness of Indigenous Australians is also reflected in their remarkable linguistic diversity. At the time of European arrival, hundreds of distinct languages and dialects were spoken across the continent, each encapsulating unique wisdom and regional history. Although colonization and subsequent policies greatly impacted these languages—leading to the loss of many—ongoing revitalization efforts demonstrate a resilient commitment to preserving these voices.
It was this resilience and cultural vibrancy that the 1988 banknote sought to honor by prominently featuring Aboriginal design elements and symbols. By doing so, the note recognized a heritage that predates European settlement by millennia. Today, it continues to serve as a reminder that Indigenous Australian culture remains an integral part of the nation’s identity, shaping modern Australia’s sense of place, diversity, and shared history.
One of the most striking features of the 1988 Bicentennial banknote is the depiction of a young Aboriginal man in ceremonial body paint, set against a backdrop of traditional motifs. This imagery underscores the central role of ceremony in many Indigenous communities, where body painting is more than mere decoration—it is a profound mode of cultural expression. The designs often represent ancestral stories or clan affiliations, providing visual cues to one’s identity, responsibilities, and spiritual connections.
Body painting may accompany dance and song performances known as corroborees, which bring communities together to honor ancestral beings, mark seasonal cycles, or celebrate important milestones. The intricate patterns on this banknote figure are a nod to these ceremonial practices, evoking themes of unity, belonging, and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
Beyond the man himself, various Indigenous artifacts are subtly woven into the design. Boomerangs, spears, and other implements reflect centuries of ingenuity in toolmaking, shaped by an intimate understanding of Australia’s diverse habitats. They also symbolize the adaptability and enduring wisdom of Aboriginal societies, reminding viewers that Indigenous heritage is rooted in sustainable interaction with the environment. By foregrounding this young man and these cultural items, the banknote both celebrates the living heritage of Aboriginal communities and acknowledges that these vibrant traditions continue to evolve, retaining their vitality in contemporary Australia.
When Europeans arrived in Australia in 1788, led by Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet, they inadvertently set in motion a profound transformation of the continent’s social and ecological landscape. The 1988 Bicentennial banknote commemorates this momentous event by illustrating the First Fleet’s ships sailing into Sydney Cove, flanked by scenes of early colonial settlement. These images evoke a sense of both historical significance and complex legacy—one that changed the course of Australia’s history forever.
Comprising 11 vessels, the First Fleet departed from Portsmouth, England, in May 1787. Its primary mission was to establish a penal colony in New South Wales, following a decision by the British government to alleviate overcrowded prisons at home. Arriving in January 1788, the fleet carried roughly 1,500 people, including convicts, marines, and administrative officials. The banknote captures the moment of their landing: the beginning of a new society on unfamiliar territory. For the settlers, this was a chapter of hope and hardship—harsh conditions, limited resources, and misunderstandings about the local environment made survival a daunting task.
Behind the flotilla on the banknote lies an early colonial settlement scene, illustrating rudimentary wooden huts, tents, and the initial attempts to cultivate the land. These settlers faced numerous challenges: scarce supplies, labor shortages, and an environment radically different from the English countryside. Nonetheless, their endeavors laid the foundation for what would become modern-day Sydney. Over time, the expansion of European settlement would spread across the continent, driven by the discovery of arable land, mineral resources, and an imperial drive to claim territories. This expansion, however, often neglected Indigenous rights and disregarded the rich tapestry of cultures already present for millennia.
While the banknote’s design focuses on celebrating 200 years since European settlement, it also gestures—albeit indirectly—toward a more complicated reality. The arrival of the First Fleet marked the beginning of severe disruptions to Indigenous communities. Traditional lands were claimed for farming and grazing, leading to displacement and the erosion of centuries-old custodial ties. Meanwhile, introduced diseases ravaged communities with no immunity to foreign pathogens. The Frontier Wars, along with the imposition of new legal and governance structures, further highlighted the deep-rooted tensions born of colonization.
In addition to these conflicts, there were moments of exchange and adaptation. Early settlers sometimes relied on Indigenous knowledge to identify water sources, navigate unfamiliar terrains, and learn sustainable hunting or gathering techniques. Some friendly relationships did develop between Indigenous peoples and European newcomers, although these were overshadowed by broader systemic encroachments.
By portraying both the ships of the First Fleet and the embryonic township, the Bicentennial banknote underscores the duality of Australia’s beginnings: it was a story of aspiration and resilience for settlers, but also a story of loss and survival for Aboriginal communities. Today, historians, activists, and descendants from both sides continue to grapple with that layered inheritance.
On the 200th anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival, Australia held major events intended to celebrate national progress and achievements. However, these festivities also spurred debates about the legacy of colonization and the experiences of Indigenous Australians. The banknote itself became a symbolic canvas, acknowledging the undeniable significance of 1788 while hinting at the cultural complexities entwined with that date. As such, it stands as a historic artifact that captures a young nation’s attempt to reconcile pride in its origins with a growing awareness of the need for reconciliation and recognition of First Nations peoples.
Ultimately, the depiction of the First Fleet on the 1988 banknote serves as both a commemoration of European settlement and a prompt to remember the full context of Australia’s birth as a modern nation. It invites reflection on the endurance of early settlers, the radical transformations they initiated, and the vibrant cultural heritage that predates any colonial timeline.
The 1988 bicentenary note holds a special place in numismatic history: it was Australia’s first polymer banknote. Developed in collaboration between the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), this pioneering approach to currency printing aimed to curb counterfeiting while extending the durability of banknotes. Polymer substrates not only allowed for more complex security features—such as transparent windows and intricate holograms—but also stood up better to Australia’s varied climate.
This success laid the groundwork for Australia to become a global leader in polymer currency technology. Over the subsequent decades, all Australian paper banknotes were replaced with polymer designs that featured vivid imagery and advanced security elements. The 1988 commemorative banknote thus represents both an innovative leap in currency production and a tangible encapsulation of Australian identity, celebrating its past while paving the way for modern advancements in banknote manufacturing.