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The Global Insight

Why is Edith Cowan on the 50 dollar note?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on April 10, 2026

Edith Cowan was the first woman elected to an Australian Parliament as the Member for the seat of West Perth in the Legislative Assembly from 1921 to 1924. Her depiction on the $50 banknote is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary Western Australian woman.

What is the error on the $50 note?

The word “responsibility” in Edith Cowan’s quote is incorrectly spelled “responsibilty” – without the third “i” – three times on the new note.

What building is on the Australian 50 dollar note?

Parliament House
On the back is a portrait of Edith Cowan, first female member of any Australian parliament, along with a picture of Western Australia’s original Parliament House, and an illustration of a foster mother and children….1995–2018.

The original polymer fifty-dollar note.
The front of the noteThe back of the note

What bird is on the $50 note?

Red-Capped Cardinal bird
On the $50 an image of the Red-Capped Cardinal bird and a bright image of a 50 are visible. See-through feature – When the banknote is held against the light, an image of the Red-Capped Cardinal bird will be seen.

Who is on the Australian $100 dollar note 2020?

Sir John Monash
About the Designs The $100 banknote was released into general circulation on 29 October 2020. It celebrates Sir John Monash, an engineer, soldier and civic leader and Dame Nellie Melba, an internationally renowned soprano.

Is there a new $50 note?

The new $50 banknote was released into general circulation on 18 October 2018.

What is on the Australian 20 dollar note?

On the $20 banknote, these are Box-leaf Wattle (Acacia buxifolia) and the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) . The new $20 banknote retains the portraits of Mary Reibey and Reverend John Flynn, which are drawn from the same source photographs represented on the first polymer $20 banknote.

Where is the richest suburb in Australia?

Double Bay
What is the richest suburb in Australia? The richest suburb in Australia, based on average taxable income for the 2018/19 financial year, is Double Bay in New South Wales, according to the ATO’s latest figures.

What do fake 50 notes look like?

When checking for fake £50 notes, check the quality of the paper and the ink. You’re looking for clean lines, no blurring and raised letters. Holding the note up to the light should reveal a bright “£50” watermark. The hologram, known as the motion thread, should flip between “£” and “50”.

Who is on the back of the Australian fifty dollar note?

The new polymer Fifty Dollar note released from 1995 onwards, has David Unaipon (Inventor, preacher & author) on the front, and Dame Edith Cowan (Social worker, politician & feminist) on the back. Dame Edith Cowan (1861-1932) was the first woman elected to an Australian parliament.

Who is on the new$ 50 banknote?

A range of innovative new security features have been incorporated in the new $50 banknote to help keep it secure from counterfeiting. These security features are similar to those in the $5 and $10 banknotes issued in 2016 and 2017. The new $50 banknote retains the portraits of David Unaipon and Edith Cowan, which are drawn from …

When did the new fifty dollar note come out?

The note features updated security features and portraits of Edith Cowan and David Unaipon. The note was released into circulation on 18 October 2018.

What kind of bird is on Australian 50 dollar bill?

Each denomination in the new series of banknotes will feature a different species of Australian wattle and a native bird within a number of the security features. The $50 banknote features the Acacia humifusa and the Black Swan ( Cygnus atratus ).