The title refers to Australia's switch to decimal currency (dollars and cents) from the imperial monetary system (pounds, shillings and pence), which is part of the plot. The change took place in real life in February 1966, about two years after when this story is set.
An early scene called for a hut to be burnt down, and the camera filmed the action from inside the hut while it was burning. The camera operator remained in the hut and kept the camera rolling for what seemed like a very long time. When the shooting of the scene was completed, the crew scrambled out through the flame-licked door, and the hut collapsed only seconds later.