Gordon Andrews, Cottage Rock, Hawkesbury River, New South Wales

Gordon Andrews (1914-2001), designer, established himself through the 1950s and 1960s as a significant creator of furniture and interiors; in 1955 he became the first Australian to be elected a Fellow of UK Society of Industrial Artists and Designers. In 1963 he was one of four men chosen to submit ideas for Australia's new paper notes. Debate had raged over what to call the new unit of currency; distinctively Australian names such as 'Dollaroo', 'Spin' and 'Fiddley' were proposed, but diplomatically shelved by Treasurer Harold Holt. Public opinion was against the government's preferred option, the 'Royal', and in the end the more neutral word 'Dollar' prevailed. With the name decided, Andrews and his three rivals submitted hundreds of sketches and plans to an expert selection committee. Andrews's designs were accepted unanimously, and in early 1966 his $1, $2, $10 and $20 notes entered circulation. Shortly before their issue, it had been decided that a $5 note would be required too - Andrews was engaged to design it, and also the $50 note when the need for it subsequently arose. When the present-day polymer plastic notes began to replace paper ones in 1992, Andrews served on the advisory panel that oversaw their design.