One national body moving forward with one purpose: to lighten hearts.
Monday 27 June 2011 - Australia's oldest continuous organisation has been reborn. Ever since Governor Lachlan Macquarie launched it in 1817, the Bible Society has been organised as state-based organisations, but this year it has become one body.
This week Bible Society Australia celebrated its new unity by launching a bold new look at a celebration dinner held at the River Room at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
Chairman Richard Grellman shares that this was "God's timing""It was 'almost counter-intuitive' for the boards and members of the State Bible Societies to become one", Bible Society national Chair Richard Grellman told the celebration. "You could almost argue that it was against the fiduciary duties of the boards to give up their assets."
"It was a card game which would only work if everyone put everything on the table, but everyone did. At the first meeting of State Chairs, it was voted unanimously to begin the process. Then each board voted to proceed, unanimously. Finally, the membership, a potential voting force of 7,000, also voted unanimously to join together."
"It was miraculous," said Grellman. Recalling three previous attempts to unify the Bible Society, he reflected that this successful effort has been "God's timing".
A rigorous branding exercise over months saw a consistent theme of "love" emerge as the quality that the Bible Society most wanted to reflect.
"We don't really care how many Bibles people have on their shelves," said Greg Clarke, the Bible Society CEO. "We want people to take it off the shelf, open it, read it, and have their hearts moved by the love they find in its words."
Greg Clarke shares the significance of the new branding"It's the product of the product we care about. The new tag line, "Live Light", reflects the emphasis on having your heart lightened by the Bible's message of unconditional love in Jesus Christ", Greg Clarke said in his address to staff, board and supporters gathered from around Australia.
"So you see a heart in our logo if you stare at it long enough."
The new logo and branding were produced by the Banjo Advertising Agency. It set the secular agency a real challenge to understand and then brand the Bible Society.
"Of the work that we have done this year, it's the job that brought real joy" said Banjo's Matt Busby Andrews.
A new look to reflect renewed vision
VIDEOS, click below: