The Australian Flag Professional Design Competition and Exhibition – Winners Announced

MEDIA RELEASE. Wednesday 26th January 2000

The Executive Director of Ausflag, Mr Harold Scruby, today announced the winners of the Australian Flag Professional Design Competition and Exhibition. He said:

"Members of the Design Institute of Australia, the Australian Graphic Design Association, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Writers and Art Directors, the Australian Textile Design Association, the Flag Society of Australia and the Society of Interior Designers of Australia were invited by Ausflag to enter the abovementioned Competition. Over 2,500 entries were received.

"The competition was a challenge to Australia's professional designers to design a flag that represents and unites all Australians. The brief was to produce a design which reflects and embraces: Australian identity, distinctiveness among the world's national flags, simplicity, clarity of colour, timelessness, the rules of heraldry as they apply to form and colour, ease and cost of manufacture, respect for the history, institutions and character of Australians and a united Australia.

"The judges, representing the abovementioned organisations; Mr Russell Bevers, Mr Michael Bryce, Mr Tony Burton, Ms Louise Cox, Ms Janne Faulkner, Mr Ron Hurley and Mr Harold Scruby, chose the best 100 designs. These designs travelled Australia and were exhibited in all capital cities in our leading galleries.

"The Competition and Exhibition was sponsored by Apple Computer Australia, Salmat, Fuji Xerox Australia, John Holland Industries and Flash Graphics," Mr Scruby said. All the designs are on display on our web-site www.ausflag.com.au. Details about the Competition.

"It is vital that we find the design which is preferred by the majority of Australians, as eventually the final decision about Australia's new flag will go to a plebiscite." Mr Scruby added.

"Fuji Xerox and Apple Computer have been most generous in awarding computers and laser printers to the winners, but the real reward for the person who designs Our Own Flag will be glory.

"The Judges, like the Australian people, were stuck between the Southern Cross and the kangaroo being the preferred symbol for the Australian flag. But in the end, the Judges chose the pure simplicity of Franck Gentil's Southern Cross design, which featured the large golden Federation Star in the place of the Union Jack.

"Second prize was awarded to George Margaritas who submitted a bold kangaroo leaping towards the Federation Star. His colours utilised a combination of the Australian and Aboriginal flags.

"Third prize was awarded to Peter Lambert who submitted a Southern Cross design on a blue ground, over a terra cotta earth.

"The Judges would like to thank all the Professional Designers who devoted so much time and effort to this most important challenge. And to our sponsors and supporters, without whom, this competition would not have been possible." Mr Scruby said.