This polyester banner, 'Sydney 2000', was made by Southern Cross Flags to raise public support for Sydney's bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games. From 1991, Sydney Olympic Bid Limited, a committee of the New South Wales Government, prepared the bid and later promoted it through a well-defined corporate image. Its branding package appeared on an array of souvenirs and advertisements, including flags, banners and other civic decorations. This banner was one of many that promoted the Olympic bid to the people of Sydney.

Sydney Olympic Bid Limited defined its image in 1992 when it selected a corporate theme, 'Share the Spirit', and held a protracted competition for a corporate logo. Eight local designers, including well-known artists like Ken Done, Ken Cato and Michael Bryce, submitted a total of almost sixty logo designs. Seemingly lacking a sense of energy and Indigenous references, these designs were rejected by all five judges: Rod McGeoch, Leo Schofield, Greg Daniel, Andrew Anderson and David Churches.

A second round of submissions saw the selection of Michael Bryce's new design - a multicoloured flash echoing the roofline of the Opera House, and random dots referencing Aboriginal dot painting. By this time, Bryce was already recognised for his work on sporting logos, having designed the logo for the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. Soon after the selection, ISIS/FHA Design Company, in-house designers for Sydney Bid Limited, made some minor adjustments to Bryce's design.

In 1992, Bryce explained the informality of his logo, saying that he wanted to create an image that could be drawn simply in the sand - "no slide rule, no set square, no computer. If it can't be drawn by your fingers in the sand, then it's no good". Rod McGeoch 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". Moreover, the resulting merchandise "gave the impression that everyone associated with the bid was a bright, upbeat person with a youthful outlook". This image would permeate preparations for the Games and the Games themselves.

Sydney graphic designer, Michael Bryce, developed the Sydney 2000 bid logo in 1992 for Sydney Olympic Bid Limited. The logo was selected through a protracted design competition and was later modified by ISIS/FHA Design Company, in-house designers for Sydney Bid Limited.

Southern Cross Flags of Sydney manufactured this polyester banner for Sydney's bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games.

This banner was displayed in Sydney to promote the city's bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games.

The banner was made for and owned by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and were donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.

Banner, Sydney 2000, polyester, designed by Michael Bryce and ISIS/FHA Design Company, made by Southern Cross Flags, Sydney for the Sydney Olympic Bid Limited.

Banner, polyester open weave Sydney 2000 vertical outdoor banner. The top of the banner has a blue background and the bottom a white background. The Sydney 2000 "Millennium Man" logo is featured on the banner. Different components of the logo are in different colours: the Opera House sails are white, the boomerang making up the top of the man is yellow and the boomerang legs of the man are red. Below the logo "Sydney 2000" is written in black text, followed by the Olympic rings in blue, black, red, green and yellow. The banner is only hemmed down one side. Rope is sewn into the hem. There are five rope loops down the left side of the banner. Plastic hooks have been attached to the three middle rope loops. A manufacturers label is sewn to the bottom left side. The label is white with purple text and graphics "Southern Cross Flags phone (02)894 - 6699 / Sydney Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin". Care instructions are given on the back of the label.

Made: 2000

2001/84/489

2000

1540 mm