There have always been those stereotypical images of Brits and Aussies: the bowler hat and the the Devonshire teas; the can of Foster's and the cork hats, for instance.
October, 1997, Canberra Times
But newIMAGES, a year-long program aimed at preparing Britain and Australia for the 21st century, aims to challenge these old-fashioned and potentially damaging perceptions.
The red, white and blue floral logo, designed by Saatchi and Saatchi, and planted by CityScape horticultural staff in June, was launched by the ACT Chief Minister, Kate Carnell, on City Hill yesterday.
The British High Commissioner, Sir Roger Carrick, describes the logo as having multiple meanings which represent the dynamic and contemporary relationship between Britain and Australia.
"It means different things to different people," he said. "You can see it as a broad arrow pointing forwards, or a map of Australia with an influence coming in from the west. It's a bold, new, modern, futuristic-looking device."
He said newIMAGES "stems from a view we and the Australian Government took that . . . the image of Australians in Britain is not accurate, and not very complimentary, and most people's images of Poms here are also inaccurate and certainly out of date. We've had this year-long campaign to do something about that."
newIMAGES has involved more than 190 events in conjunction with British and Australian organisations.
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Andrew Pocock, described the logo as "part art, part horticulture", and said it was "yet another commitment not only to Australia and the program, but specifically to Canberra".
So far newIMAGES has involved golf tournaments, trade shows, theatre, dance and art exhibitions. It aims to help create self-sustaining networks between the two nations.
The floral logo symbolises the 50th anniversary of the British Council's activity in Australia. Sir Roger said, "We put down British roots in Canberra very early in the capital's life." Mrs Carnell said, "The commitment to Canberra and Australia goes on, and this is a part of it." The last two major commercial events in the program will be held in Sydney and Melbourne in November.
Posted by kimgilmour at April 26, 1997 10:50 AM