Ausflag launched the The Australian Flag Professional Design Competition and Exhibition on 28 July 1997, with entries closing on 14 October 1997.
Entries were restricted to members of the following professional design organisations and other professional designers as invited by the Executive Director of Ausflag:
The best 100 entries, as chosen by the Assessment Panel, were exhibited Australia-wide in leading art galleries in a travelling exhibition, commencing in Perth and Sydney on Australia Day 1998 and finishing in Melbourne in December 1998. The designs will also be displayed at "Sydney Design 99".
Members of the public voted for their preferred designs either at the galleries or via this web site. The top 20 designs, as voted by the public, were announced on 26 January 1999. The top 10 designs, as chosen by the Assessment Panel, were announced on 1 May 1999. The Assessment Panel contacted these designers and made a final choice as to the best designs. The overall winners were announced on Australia Day, 26 January 2000. For the winners there are prizes of Apple Computers and Xerox printers. But the real reward is glory.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors, Apple Computer Australia Pty Limited, Salmat Pty Limited and Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Limited, who have provided substantial resources and funding, without which the competition would not have been possible.
We also wish to thank the above Professional Design Organisations for their assistance, encouragement and support for the competition. We thank you for your involvement in what we expect will become a significant part of Australia′s history.
Nick Greiner Co-Chairman
Nicholas Whitlam Co-Chairman