This hat has significance as a record of the celebrations after Sydney won the right to host the 2000 Olympic Games.

In the early hours of 24 September 1993 (Sydney time), the International Olympic Committee drew a close to the protracted bidding process by declaring that Sydney would host the Games of the XXVII Olympiad. This announcement set in motion a train of public festivities as well as extensive media coverage and the decoration of civic spaces. This hat is an example of the ephemera that contributed to the party atmosphere at the Overseas Passenger Terminal where breakfast guests were watching a large television screen as the winning bid was announced by Juan Antonio Samaranch in Monte Carlo. The breakfast turned into a joyous celebration.

This hat bears the once ubiquitous bid logo - a multicoloured flash that echoed the roofline of the Opera House, and random dots that referenced Aboriginal dot painting. The slogan, 'Share the Spirit', that typically accompanied the bid logo, has been replaced by the green, red and blue headline, 'Thank You Sydney!', which recognises the efforts of local residents who convinced IOC officials of their willingness to host an energetic and successful Olympic Games. In addition, the multicoloured typeface and the bright yellow ground capture the energy that pervaded Sydney after the bid announcement.

Maker unknown. Made for the Sydney Olympic bid. Logo designed in 1992 by Michael Bryce, an Australian graphic designer who created an image that could be drawn simply, without a slide rule, set square or computer: "if it can't be drawn by your fingers in the sand, then it's no good". Rod McGeoch, one of five logo judges, also warmed to this informality, explaining that the logo "set the creative tone of what the Sydney bid was all about...colourful, vibrant, youthful and energetic". In 1992, the graphic design group, ISIS/FHA Design Company, modified the logo slightly before it became an official part of the Bid Committee branding.

When Sydney won the bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games, Mr Cotton, the donor of this hat, was New Zealand's Consul-General in Sydney. He received an invitation to the breakfast at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal on Friday 24 September 1993, and was seated among the guests watching a large television screen when the winning bid was announced by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch in Monte Carlo. He remembered seeing New South Wales premier John Fahey on the big screen leaping into the air.

It was at this early morning breakfast, hosted by Ian Armstrong, acting premier of New South Wales, that the donor received this hat. He recalled that guests were served soft drinks but after the announcement of Sydney's victory, champagne miraculously appeared and the breakfast turned into a party.

After retiring from the diplomatic service, Mr Cotton remained in Sydney and was a member of the task force established to maximise the benefit to New Zealand of the Sydney Games. When he carried the Olympic torch in Wellington, New Zealand, he was allocated an uphill part of the journey, and ran to the cheers of his friends. During the Games he became an attaché to the New Zealand team. He arranged a headquarters for the team at St Andrews Cathedral School, organised a team photograph on the steps of Mitchell Library and organised a dinner at Sydney's Parliament House on the night before the Games commenced. Mr Cotton marched with the New Zealand team at the opening ceremony.

Hat, Sydney Olympic bid, plastic / paper, maker unknown, Australia, 1993

Plastic boater-style men's hat, cream coloured, with two identical stickers attached to sides with the words 'Thank you Sydney!' in blue, red and black lettering on white background, and the logo of the Sydney Olympic bid.

Made: Unknown; Australia; 1993

Designed: Bryce, Michael; Brisbane, Queensland; 1992

2007/189/1

1993

95 mm

245 mm

270 mm