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Bicentennial Flag (Australia)

image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 May 2009

Original blue and gold flag
Change to green and gold
Original logo

See also:

Original blue and gold flag

image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 May 2009

Another flag on the Flags of Australia chart [vau83] is the Australian Bicentennial Flag (1988). It features a gold bicentennial logo, the familiar shape of which looks remarkably like a stylised map of Australia cut out of a barcode strip. Anyway, a more serious explanation is given on the chart:

This blue and gold flag is being flown to mark the national celebrations in 1988 of two centuries of European Settlement in Australia. The golden symbol consists of seven stripes representing the Australian continental land mass, including Tasmania. The proportion so the stripes relate to those of the Union Flag. The colours, blue and gold are derived from the National Coat of Arms of Australia.

I do not remember seeing the flag, however I was only 7 at the time.
Jonathan Dixon, 17 September 2001

The State Library of Tasmania shows one in blue and yellow. I see that the seven stripes making up Australia look like a ribbon folded twice, with five stripes (3 yellow, 2 blue) on one side and none on the other. Unintentional, surely.
Jan Mertens, 15 May 2009

Change to green and gold

At the Flags Australia site, we learn that blue-and-yellow (introduced 1981, date of copyright? [see quote below]) was changed to green-and-yellow in 1984 [when green and gold were proclaimed the national colours], preceding the bicentennial proper. The green and yellow version is shown on Collections Australia Network:

Dimensions given as 900 mm x 1800 mm. Quote:

“Description. A green rectangular shaped flag with a gold Australian Bicentenary logo ensign in the centre. The logo is a stylised representation of a map of Australia. The flag is made of hard wearing cotton material. It has a canvas sleeve, (60 mm wide) attached along the left edge through which there is threaded a durable nylon cord. Attached to both ends of the cord is a metal eyelet which allows the flag to be flown.

Inscription. There are no inscriptions on the flag proper, however there is a badge sown onto the canvas sleeve on which the Bicentenary logo is displayed along with the words, THE AUSTRALIAN BICENTENARY 1788-1988. Written next to this is REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE AUSTRALIAN BICENTENNIAL AUTHORITY USED UNDER LICENCE BY E.H. BRETT AND SONS PTY. LTD. There is also a copyright symbol and the words COPYRIGHT 1981 THE AUSTRALIAN BICENTENNIAL AUTHORITY.”

Jan Mertens, 15 May 2009

The original "ribbon" Australian Map style Bicentenary Logo, used between June 1980-March 1981, was designed by Dr. Bruce Radke.

The second and final design, "squared diagonal stripes", based on parts of the British Union Flag also forming a stylised Australian map, used between March 1981-December 1988, was designed by Sydney designer, Don Goodwin. This second design was shown in golden-yellow on first Royal Blue (1981-84) and then Green (1984-88) field coloured flags. Full details were published in "Crux Australis" (Flag Soc. of Aust.- Flags Australia) article, Vol.III, No.3/15 - July 1987.
Ralph Bartlett, 28 August 2022

Original logo

image provided by Ralph Bartlett, 1 September 2022

I can now share with you a colour image of the original Australian Bicentennial Authority Logo, used between June 1980 - March 1981.

This was located and supplied to me by Australian Vexillographer, and Flags Australia Member, John C. Vaughan OAM. This design was originally published in the "Australian Bicentennial Authority Act 1980" - No.49, Section 22. The stylised "ribbon" Australian Map logo, is in various shades of gold with black lettering surrounding it.
Ralph Bartlett, 1 September 2022