Express MIDLAND
www.midlandexpress.com.au
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Clay coin currency to circulate Castlemaine ceramicist Ann Ferguson, artist Dale Cox and Jodi Newcombe of Carbon Arts and the Castlemaine Institute with some of the new silver wattle double-fired clay coins that are about to be launched into the local economy.
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First there was bitcoin and non-fungible tokens .... But after a while they became sooooo yesteryear and then there was ... the silver wattle ... a brand new currency about to be released into the Castlemaine economy as part of an innovative arts and economics project. Somewhat at the opposite end of the monetary spectrum to digital currencies like bitcoin, the town's very own local currency – the silver wattle clay coin – is aimed at remaining resolutely local and
rather than the usual quest to get rich, it has other main motivators behind its "minting". With assistance of a Get Lost grant from Mount Alexander Shire, Castlemaine visual artist Dale Cox and ceramic sculptor Ann Ferguson, together with Jodi Newcombe of Carbon Arts and the Castlemaine Institute, have produced the new currency made with local clay into which the impression of silver wattle fronds has been artfully fired. "By creating our own currency that can only be used in Castlemaine we can build local resilience against national
and global economic market forces," Dale says. "Once they're in circulation the coin continues to stay local to build continued wealth within our community." Quiet a few local businesses, including the Tap p Room, Cabosse and Feve chocoh latiers, Tortoise Espresso and Johnny Baker, are among those that will be accepting the clay coins as currency, with the project aimed at supporting local
business and seeing local dollars benefit the community. "And 10 per cent of g every transaction goes to Castlemaine Pay The Rent, which is a nationwide program to acknowledge our traditional owners," Jodi says. Continued page 2.
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