How does one possibly encapsulate a place like New South Wales? This is, after all, the great state of the Rum Corps, Bondi Beach, Robert Askin, Eddie Obeid, property speculation, talkback radio, rugby league and Parramatta Road.

But fitting that rich character into one logo would be complicated. And so the NSW Government, ever eager to please, has unveiled something a little prosaic. Though "unveiled" might be a misnomer, given the stealth with which the design has started to make appearances on banners, barriers and briefing papers.

The government describes the new logo as "confident, progressive, friendly, trustworthy". Credit:NSW Government

"NSW - Making It Happen" is unabashed positivity: a colourful, confident logo befitting a growing state. And there's much to celebrate. NSW has single-handedly saved the country from recession, cemented Sydney as the world's friendliest city and elected a premier so beloved that he seems destined to stay in the job forever.

The ingrates in the peanut gallery were, of course, cynical about the whole thing. The ABC's Marc Fennell complained it was "the definition of Designed by Committee". Others remarked on the similarities with the Lissajous​ curve of the ABC's logo.