This is an incomplete example of the uniforms that were worn by medal bearers - women between 18 and 25 years of age - at medal presentation ceremonies during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. It comprises a beige Driza-bone coat, stylised for the female figure, a 'Snowy River' style Akubra hat, and a cyan and white scarf featuring the Sydney 2000 logo and Olympic rings (cyan was selected because pure white would flare on camera). The complete uniform included a long, dark blue skirt, a chambray shirt and a leather belt and shoes, however the driza-bone coat concealed most of the uniform.

A series of uniform prototypes were tested on camera, indoors and outdoors, over a period of six months. These designs included dyrza- bones in gold, silver and bronze fabric, complementing the colours of the victory podiums.

David Atkins, Artistic Director and Producer for the Ceremonies Division, oversaw the production of ceremonial uniforms after approving this stockman theme. "The Driza-bone, the Akubra, that whole look, the Australian stockman look is a fairly unique look and significant around the world as being Australian and so once you see that you know exactly where you are." The uniform project resulted in a significant contract for the Australian company, Driza-bone, which manufactured 3,500 coats and 4,000 hats for the Olympic Games.

In May 1998, Driza-bone began work on the Olympic project, transforming drawings by costume designer, Kristian Fredrikson, into samples and coat patterns. It then submitted each element of the uniform to Birch for approval. The original coat design required various modifications for the Olympic Games - the internal elbow pads were moved to the outside, the lining was imported and the fabric was dyed specially. The Driza-bone team - one coordinator, two assistants and ten machinists - worked an average of twelve hours each day in the weeks leading up to the Olympics, and made the final 179 coats on the night before the opening ceremony. Consequently, the uniforms represent Driza-bone's contributions to the Olympic Games, and also reflect the Australian stockman image that the Ceremonies Division promoted during the event.

The uniform was developed by costume designer, Kristian Frerikson, and was approved by David Atkins, Artistic Director and Producer for the Ceremonies Division. The design process took six months, with each prototype being tested indoors and outdoors on camera. The colours within the uniform were developed to complement the requirements of television, and the Dryza-bone coats were modified for the female figure.

Driza-bone manufactured the majority of coats in August and September 2000, using imported lining and a specially dyed fabric. The cyan and white scarves were probably made by Davenport, which manufactured most scarves and ties for the Games. Akubra made the 'Snowy River' style hats. The entire process was coordinated by David Atkins, the Artistic Director and Producer for the Ceremonies Division.

This incomplete uniform was worn by a medal bearer at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The teams of medal-bearers comprised women aged between 18 and 25.

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

Medal bearer's uniform (incomplete) comprising Driza-bone coat, Akubra hat and scarf, Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000, designed by Kristian Fredrikson, made by Driza-bone and Akubra, used in the medal presentation ceremonies, Sydney 2000

Driza-bone coat with 'Snowy River' Akubra hat and scarf.

Made: 2000

2001/84/374

2000