2026 S$1 Aluminum-Bronze, Our Animals, Our Country - Gulamandarrina/Long-necked Turtle, Envelope Privy MS

Part of Our Animals, Our Country, this coin celebrates the Gudanji language during the UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, a global initiative dedicated to preserving, revitalising and promoting First Nations languages around the world. Through art, storytelling and shared knowledge, this pack invites Australians to engage with the living languages that have shaped culture and connection to Country for tens of thousands of years. Our Animals, Our Country features artwork by acclaimed Gudanji, Wakaja and Kalkadoon artist Ryhia Dank, aka nardurna, whose distinctive style captures the movement, spirit and significance of animals in Aboriginal culture. Ryhia’s work reflects the deep relationships between language, land and storytelling.

This coin highlights one of six native animals and their Gudanji names, sharing an important part of language and cultural knowledge. Each name reflects the deep cultural meaning these animals hold in Gudanji stories and traditions, where they can represent knowledge, movement, resilience and connection to Country. By learning and sharing these Gudanji words, Australians are invited to celebrate the richness and diversity of First Nations languages. Programs like Our Animals, Our Country help ensure these languages remain visible, valued and strong - supporting cultural pride today and for generations to come. Ryhia Dank, aka nardurna is an Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, which supports remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationwide. The exact phonetic pronunciation of vocabulary cannot be fully captured using the English alphabet. The spellings here are mostly approximations and reflect regional differences and language mixes, as is the experience of people sharing a living language.

Obverse Description

Effigy of King Charles III.

Source: Royal Australian Mint