Since its development in 1986, the Landcare movement has provided a constructive collaborative platform for farmers and
environmentalists to protect and restore Australia's unique natural environment. In 1993 the Royal Australian
Mint celebrated Landcare Australia by issuing a
commemorative
dollar coin. Although only initially intended to be a limited
commemorative
piece, demand for increased circulating currency led to the issue being mass produced for circulation.
The reverse was designed by Vladimir Gottwald and depicts a tree with
waving leaves along with the logo of Landcare Australia and the denomination "1 DOLLAR". Pieces struck during the initial
commemorative release feature a small 'C' (Canberra)
mintmark
, further pieces were issued at events in Melbourne 'M' and Sydney 'S' while coins struck as part of the circulation issue
lack a
mintmark
. A small number of
proof
and silver
proof
pieces were also struck with neither featuring a
mintmark
. The obverse design of all varieties features the Maklouf portrait of
HM Queen Elizabeth II with the
legend
"ELIZABETH II AUSTRALIA 1993".
Melbourne (M) mint-mark on 1993-M (Landcare) one dollar piece.
The LandCare program was first developed in Victoria by Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands Joan Kirner and President
of the Victorian Farmers Federation Heather Mitchell.
(Coral Love, 2012)
The initiative was intended to encourage community-based action and education to help resolve a variety of land protection
issues. It developed quickly into a national program with Landcare Australia being established in 1989 to develop national
awareness and to further develop corporate sector investment into Landcare programs. Today Landcare community groups exist
all across Australia working to promote the sustainable management of land in a way that is mutually beneficial for the productivity
of farmers and the goals of environmentalists.
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