2025 20c The Rainbow Serpent Coin & Stamp Cover PNC

2025 20c The Rainbow Serpent Coin & Stamp Cover PNC

This year is the 50th anniversary of the publication of the classic children's book, The Rainbow Serpent.

Written and illustrated by Dick Roughsey OBE (1924-1985), who belonged to the Lardil people of Kunhanhaa (Mornington Island) in Far North Queensland, it tells the creation story of Goorialla, the great Rainbow Serpent.

Goorialla travelled across on Kunhanhaa he swallowed two boys, the Bil-bil or Rainbow Lorikeet brothers.

The Lardil people pursued Goorialla to the top of the mountain, Bora-bunaru.

When the serpent fell asleep, they cut him open to free the boys, who flew away as beautiful parrots.

Incensed, Goorialla released his destructive fury on the land and people, many of whom escaped by turning themselves into animals, birds, insects and plants.

His anger spent, Goorialla disappeared into the sea, where he remains to this day.

The coin's reverse features a the Rainbow Serpent in colour, as well as the inscription "50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAINBOW SERPENT", the reverse also incorporates The Perth Mint's 'P' Mintmark.