Coins to honour heroes

THESE Tasmanian army cadets can’t wait to get their hands on the limited-edition coin collection that commemorates the brave men and women who have served their country.

The Anzac Spirit coin collection has been produced by the Royal Australian Mint for News Corp Australia.

November 11 marks the centenary of Armistice Day and the end of World War I. As the anniversary approaches, News Corp Australia commemorates the strength and spirit of the Anzacs with a limited-edition 15-day coin collection for readers, launching this weekend across the country.

Officially unveiled at the Australian War Memorial on Thursday, each coin is labelled with one of the characteristics of the Hall of Memory’s famed stained-glass windows, representing the virtues that make up the men and women who fought — and continue to fight — for Australia’s freedom.

Australian Army Cadets second commander of the Bravo Company Tasmania Battalion Justin Derksen said they instil the values represent- ed on the coins into the cadets.

“Army cadets is a military life experience,” he said.

“We make sure what we do today and tomorrow is in respect and in memory of those who have served before us.”

He said the Anzac spirit core values — courage, teamwork, initiative and respect — were not lost on Tasmania’s 300 cadets.

The coins will be used to start Hyundai A-League soc- cer matches across the country this weekend. The game of soccer’s connection with the military stretches back to World War I, when British and German soldiers played during the Christmas Day truce in 1914 in a Flanders field on the Western Front.

The first of 15 coins, together with a unique collector’s album, are free with today’s Mercury. A different coin will then be released each day with the Mercury and Sunday Tasmanian for two weeks, costing $3 with the paper.

All are legal tender and, for the first time, the collection will include 50c pieces.

The release of the coin collection coincides with initiatives, including the recently launched #ThanksForServing campaign.

For more information visit anzaccoincollection. com. au and for details on the upcoming Remembrance Round visit a-league.com.au.