Why is Dame Nellie Melba on the Australian 100 dollar note?

Answer 1

Dame Nellie Melba is depicted in the Australian 100 dollar note because she was a very good Australian artist in fact she was a opera soprano. Melba was the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical musician and that is why she is in that note. However Australians sense of patriotism is very poor if you compare it with other countries in which much more important people are depicted in such big notes like a 100 dollar. While other countries pay homage to political leaders or freedom fighters that ultimately contributed to a national identity, Australia pays homage to artists and native Australians in it's notes and some coins too. Which is not bad but if you have to ask a fellow Australian about who is that guy or woman in the note or coin they will tell you that they just don't know. 'Obviously a sheila mate!'