This pocket-size calendar, for January to December 1993, was made for the Public Works of New South Wales and the Sydney Bid Committee to promote the bid for the 2000 Games. The calendar describes the Public Works Olympic Project that would see the construction of public and Olympic facilities, such as a stadium, combined exhibition and sports halls, an aquatic centre and an athletic centre. This would be a major project of the New South Wales Government with Public Works acting as the constructing authority.

However, the calendar not only represents the development of the public works that contributed to the Sydney bid but also represents the corporate image that defined all bid material. The Sydney 2000 bid logo features prominently on the calendar cover, promoting the bid itself and visually unifying the full range of bid items. The calendar therefore contributes to the range of bid material in the Sydney 2000 Games Collection.

The Sydney Olympic Bid Committee 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 the Sydney Bid Committee, 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.

Logo designed Michael Bryce and ISIS/FHA Design Company

Made for Public Works of NSW and the Sydney Bid Committee, c.1993

Unused

Owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Orgnaising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum.

Calendar, "Public Works, Olympics 2000 Project", Sydney 2000 Olympic Games bid, paper, logo design by Michael Bryce and ISIS/FHA Design Company, published by Public Works of NSW and the Sydney Bid Committee, c.1992

Calendar, cardboard, rectangular, printed on both sides, folded in thirds. Public Works logo on the front and black text: "1993/ Calendar/ Sydney 2000/ Supporting/ The Sydney 2000 Bid". Contents contain 12-month calendar from January to December, details of the public works Olympic project, and a list of benefits from staging the games.

Made: 1987 - 1997

2001/84/395

1987 - 1997

87 mm