This pin set was manufactured in China by Cash's-Aminco as a souvenir of the Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organisation (SOBO). SOBO was the official broadcast company that provided all radio and television coverage of the Sydney Olympic Games. Comprising four limited-edition pins, the set represents the Olympic mascots, 'Syd', 'Millie' and 'Ollie', recording an interview from a SOBO broadcast van. This and similar souvenirs were available to the 3300 SOBO staff that worked at the Olympic Games.

The Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organisation (SOBO) was established by SOCOG in 1996 as a complete broadcast company, and as the Host Broadcaster for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Like other broadcasting companies, it comprised an operating charter, a board of directors, and a corporate mission in which it aimed: "to provide outstanding levels of service to Rights Holding Broadcasters, and to produce more than 3400 hours of live, visually stunning and technically superior coverage of the Games of the New Millennium."

SOBO was responsible for producing all television and radio coverage of Olympic competition to the 200 broadcasters that held rights to the Games. From 13 September to 1 October 2000, SOBO was the largest broadcasting production company in the world, and supported a staff of 3300 personnel (300 Australian staff, and 3000 international staff from 48 countries). Operating from the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and Olympic venues, the staff was structured into eight functional divisions: Executive, Production, Technical Operations and Engineering, Broadcast Information, Support Services, Venue Management, Business Affaires and Booking. Its personnel wore a distinctive version of the Sydney 2000 Games Force uniform (an outfit for paid staff and volunteers), and identification devices such as armbands, bibs and accreditation passes.

The Olympic mascots were designed by Matthew Hatton for SOCOG in 1998.

The limited edition pins were made in China by Cash's-Aminco, c.2000

Unsued

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.

Pin set and packaging, Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organisation, Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, enameled metal, metal, velour, made by Cash's-Aminco, China, c.2000

SOBO boxed pin set. Four pins set in a hinged silver plastic presentation box. The pins feature colour enamel images of Olympic mascots Syd, Olly and Millie and a SOBO van. Each pin fastens using a silver butterfly clasp.

Made: 2000

2001/84/470

2000