The Royal Australian Mint has today launched a commemorative coloured $2 coin to honour those who battled the horrific 2019/20 summer bushfires.
The commemorative coin
The $2 coin will feature a blaze of orange in the centre, with female and male fireys either side of it, looking ready for action.
The Royal Australian Mint created the $2 coin to recognise the determination and commitment of our firefighting communities across Australia in battling the terrible conditions that confronted them.
The Mint also announced $125,000 of the proceeds from the sale of the coins will go to fire and emergency service organisations across the country, including CFA.
CFA's Acting Chief Executive Officer Catherine Greaves said CFA is extremely grateful to the Mint for recognising the incredibly important work our members do in protecting lives and property.
"This coin will reach communities across the country and will highlight the risk our members take each and every day to keep Victorian communities safe," CEO Greaves said.
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said the Mint's generous monetary contribution will go towards purchasing and maintaining brigade firefighting equipment.
"We are always very grateful for any financial contributions made to CFA - it allows us to boost our critical firefighting equipment which further increases our ability to protect our community," CO Cook said.
The new $2 coin has been made available to the banks for circulation across Australia. A version of the coin will be made available in a packaging card for coin collectors.
The Mint will also be hosting a small exhibition over the summer months in Canberra to honour Australian firefighters. There will be a collection of notable objects on display, including these commemorative $2 coins, as well as a number of other medals and coins made by the Mint over the years to honour firefighters.
CFA is encouraging its members and the community to try and purchase one of these commemorative firefighter coins as a special memento to hold onto.
The timing of the release of the coin is a great reminder to those living in bushfire prone areas to prepare themselves and their properties for the upcoming fire season.
