This is an example of the beige skirt that was part of the women's uniform for Games Force 2000 - the accredited workforce of volunteers, contracted staff and paid staff that provided skilled and unskilled labour for the Sydney 2000 Games. When worn with a coloured polo shirt, wide-brimmed hat and hip bag, the skirt became part of the casual and most common Games Force uniform. However, when worn with a blue shirt, scarf and blazer, it became part of the Games Force business uniform. (Female members of Games Force 2000 could opt to wear a beige cotton trousers instead of the skirt.)

The Australian clothing manufacturer, Bonds, made this and other Games Force skirts in Fiji - a strategy that reduced costs though ultimately attracted criticism from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia (TCFUA). However, in order to minimise this criticism, Bonds ensured that the cotton fabric was manufactured locally.

In 1998, Bonds received the prestigious contract to design and supply all casual uniforms for the Sydney 2000 Games. Through its in-house designer, Wendy Paulucci, it collaborated with SOCOG to develop a uniform that would reflect the bright, casual and essentially Australian mood of the Games. Beige trousers or skirts, which were basic components of all Games Force uniforms, offset the multi- coloured polo shirts and waterproof jackets that distinguished groups within the Games Force team. By mid 2000, Bonds had manufactured over 1 million items of Games Force clothing, giving rise to the largest uniform distribution program in Australian peacetime.

The entire Games Force uniform was designed in 1999 by Wendy Paulucci at Bonds. Called 'The Sydney Story', it was lightweight, comfortable and sun-protective, and its colour-coded polo shirts and waterproof jackets distinguished the five groups within the Games Force team. The beige skirt was already part of Bonds' regular clothing line, and was readily incorporated into the Games Force uniforms.

The Games Force uniform was manufactured by Bonds both in Australia and overseas - an arrangement that attracted enormous criticism from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, which anticipated that all Sydney 2000 uniforms would be manufactured locally. This and other cotton skirts were made in Fiji.

Though this skirt is unused, it is identical to those that female members of Games Force 2000 wore during the Sydney 2000 Games.

Made for and owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use in the Games.

Skirt, Games Force 2000, Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, cotton/ polyester/ plastic, designed by Bonds, made by Bonds, Fiji, 2000

Skirt, size 10, taupe coloured cotton and polyester lined knee-length with a centre split at the back hemline. The skirt includes 2 darts at front and back, 1 back pocket with button, and a zipper with a button at the center back waist. Above the pocket is a black material label with white text 'Bonds ?'. The waistband has 4 belt tabs and 2 elasticised sections at the side. The front left tab has a beige ribbon sewn onto it with white text 'Sydney 2000/ TM?'. A black rectangular label is sewn onto the inside back and has white text 'Fabric Made in Australia'. A white label with black text is sewn into right-hand side hem of the lining. It reads 'Bonds/ Size 10/ Cotton/ Polyester Lining/ Made in Fiji' with care instructions on the reverse. A Powerhouse Museum registration label is below this.

Made: 2000

2001/84/604

2000

520 mm