2025 PNC Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Rainbow Serpent - 20c Coloured Coin

The Rainbow Serpent
Celebrating 50 Years

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 the land, creating gorges, creeks, rivers, lagoons and mountains. After finding his people 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.

Illustration: © Dick Roughsey 1975

Australia Post
2025 Issue 91P

This postal numismatic cover is limited to 7,000.