This pin and medallion set was one of many official souvenirs to commemorate the Australian section of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay. Comprising an enameled pin, medallion and presentation booklet, it features the Torch Relay logo that the Sydney company, FHA, designed for the Sydney 2000 Torch Relay Division - a black and white torchbearer against a blue boomerang, and an Olympic Flame streaming into the background.

The medallion depicts a multi-coloured Torch Relay logo (obverse), and stylised map of Australia (reverse). In 1999, the Royal Australian Mint used a colour-minting process to strike the medallion, and the Swedish pin designers, TrophÂ?, made the matching limited-edition pin. The set retailed for $24.45 at official Olympic outlets and at Torch Relay celebrations, and now represents the inexpensive souvenirs that marked the Sydney 2000 Torch Relay.

In 1998, SOCOG and its Torch Relay Division modeled a relay route that would highlight Australia's history, people, geography and multicultural achievements. Designed to awaken an Olympic spirit, the relay would pass within an hour's drive of 85 per cent of all Australians (some 15 million people), and would visit all States, Territories, capital cities and over 1000 communities. By employing around 40 different modes of transport, it would penetrate vast areas of regional Australia as well as many remote locations.

Preparations for the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay proved enormous logistical efforts that relied heavily upon sponsorship, Local Community Working Groups, and hundreds of community volunteers. These efforts materialised rapidly from 12 May 2000 when the Olympic flame commenced its thirty-day journey through Greece, across thirteen Oceanic countries, and on to Uluru. Here, a site of great cultural and historical significance, Australia's first Aboriginal gold-medallist, Nova Peris-Kneebone, commenced the 100-day torch relay around the continent.

This was the longest, most extensive torch relay in Olympic history, required 130 official personnel to provide media and medical services, to position torchbearers, and to assemble and disassemble stages for community celebrations. In addition, it supported a convoy of vehicles comprising an ambulance, police escorts, torchbearer shuttles, merchandise vans, and media contingents.

The Sydney brand designers, FHA, developed the Sydney Torch Relay logo in around 1998 for SOCOG. The logo featured on all official merchandise, uniforms, promotional material and documents. The Royal Australian Mint designed the medallion in 1999, and the Swedish pin designers, TrophÂ?, designed the matching limited-edition pin made in that same year.

In 1999, the Royal Australian Mint used a special colour-minting process to strike the bronze medallion. The Swedish pin designers, TrophÂ?, had the matching limited-edition pin made in Taiwan in 1999.

This is a non-purchased example of the medallion and pin booklets that retailed for $24.45 at official Olympic outlets and at Torch Relay celebrations.

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

Medallion and pin booklet and packaging, Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay, enameled metal, bronze, paper, plastic, made by TrophÂ? in Taiwan and the Royal Australian Mint c.1998.

Medallion and pin booklet, commemorating the Torch Relay. A bronze coloured medal featuring the torch relay logo - a figure running with torch and a gold coloured metal pin with colour enamel featuring the Torch Relay logo. The medal and pin are inserted into a plastic coated cardboard booklet. The card is orange. On the front and inside of the card is the Torch relay logo. White text on the front 'Olympic / Torch Relay / Official Medallion / & Pin / Booklet'. On the inside of the card is a map of Australia outlining the Torch Relay route. The booklet also provides information about the torch relay.

Made: 2000

2001/84/299

2000