Over fifteen years ago, when I was in year six, I learnt that Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites was the motto of the State of New South Wales. All part of a robust public education which included the study of civics.

Being away from home, one is not privy to all the news and happenings on the homefront. But I have noticed a the red lotus-like emblem on stories concerning the poor excuse for a Government currently in charge of my State. Upon further investigation I have discovered that is is the new emblem for New South Wales. It is the trend of replacing perfectly fine coat-of-arms (with history and symbolism) with ‘funky’ new corporate logos in order to appeal to a dumber public.

When I initially looked at the new NSW logo, it at first looked like the NSW Rugby team, the Waratahs. But then I thought looked like the emblem for a Hindu ashram, given the logo looked like a lotus. Apparently I was not the only one! And now it seems there is a competition to re-design it. The results are an improvement on the lotus. But in my opinion nothing beats the original coat-of-arms.

Organisations from councils to schools and governments are adopting new corporate style logos, which confuse and confound the public and blur the line between a corporation and government. Historical coat-of-arms convey meaning, symbolism, prestige and a purpose of being. These new corporate logos, unless done well just invite ridicule. It is time for the Government of New South Wales to understand the true meaning of Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites.