With Syd and Olly, the two other mascots for the Sydney 2000 Games, Millie embodies the friendly, sporty and optimistic nature of Australians. While her companions promote environmental programmes and the history of the Games, this echidna advocates education and new technologies. Matthew Hatton, designer of the mascots for the Games of 2000 in Sydney, wanted to represent earth, air and water, and to sum up the spirit of the city, the Games and the new Millennium through unique animals. These are the echidna, Millie (for millennium), the kookaburra, Olly (for Olympics), and the duck-billed platypus Syd (for Sydney).