Aussies are known for giving a helping hand to those in need, especially to one of their compatriots. Any help is well received by them, as they have faced two huge challenges this year, the bushfires and the pandemic, the latter financially destabilizing a large part of the country’s population. The famous Russian family of meerkats has already shown their concerns regarding their fellows, by offering them tips on how to save money smartly.
Being altruistic seems to be a trait that runs in the Australian family and so, it is normal to see other similar acts continuing to take place in the country. Now more than ever, doing a small act of kindness translates with a big and positive difference in one’s life. One of the latest acts of generosity is attributed to The Royal Australian Mint, which has announced the launch of a new $1 coin, designed to bring financial comfort to those who need material support.
Developed in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi Melbourne, Australia, the coin, titled as the “Donation Dollar,” was born to encourage people to financially support others, especially in times like these. According to new research, three in five Australians say they would be likely to donate this coin if found in their change. As part of its annual release program, the Mint plans to release millions of such coins into circulation, until they have one for every Australian. For starters, around three million coins have already been released into circulation.
As things evolve, the chances of Australians finding such a coin in their wallets are increasing. Given the above-mentioned study, namely that 57% of the country’s citizens are willing to donate the currency once they have it in their pocket, we are entitled to believe that the future of this nation will get back on its feet.
Slowly, these coins will pop up in every person’s wallet, as the Mint wants to release 25 million of them. So, let’s flip the coin, shall we? It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that the Heads is represented by Queen Elizabeth II. But you should know that Her Majesty is also known for being one of the world’s greatest supporters of charities. The tails’ design features a green center surrounded by a gold band on the surface of which are stamped the words “Donation Dollar” and “Give to help others.” So, you see, once you flip this coin, you don’t get to choose between two alternatives, because they express the same message: Be kind to others.
“While one dollar might not seem like much, if every Australian donated just one Donation Dollar a month, together we have the potential to raise an additional $300 million dollars annually (based on a population of 25 million Australians) for those who need it most,” said the people behind the project. And we bet that the donation will bring so much joy to these Aussies, considering that one in five Australians would require some degree of charitable aid over the next 12 months, either for themselves or family, according to some new findings in the Australian Generosity Report.
One question rises, though. How about coin collectors? The Mint is all aware of the fact that this dollar is special, but it was created for other purposes rather than complement one’s collection. “The very thing that makes them special is that they’re designed to be donated, not collected. The more there are in circulation, the more we can all use them to give to those in need. Also, with the intent to mint 25 million coins, one for every Australian, the Donation Dollar will be anything but collectible.”
The Royal Australian Mint CEO, Ross MacDiarmid, said: “The Royal Australian Mint has a rich heritage of producing coins to meet the needs of every Australian. So we’re extremely proud to introduce the world’s first Donation Dollar and tap into the Australian spirit of generosity. Like any other one-dollar coin, the cycle of a Donation Dollar is ongoing, as is its potential for positive impact. If every Australian donated a Donation Dollar just once a month, it has the potential to raise an additional 300 million dollars annually for those who need it most. So, with Australia’s support, we believe Donation Dollar has the power to make a real difference.”
It is expected that it will take almost four or five years for all the coins to be released. Let’s just hope that they will be used wisely, with the intention with which they were launched.
Credits:
Client: The Royal Australian Mint
Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi Australia