The Sydney Opera House Lit Their Sails In A Heartwarming Tribute To Firefighters Last Night
The iconic Sydney Opera House lit their sails with messages of support to the firies tackling our bushfire crisis.
The sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House were lit up overnight with messages of support for the firefighters currently battling at least 136 fires in NSW alone.
Images of brave firies, volunteers and emergency crews, as well as messages of thanks from fire-affected communities, were projected on the sails from about 8.30pm until 11pm on 11 January, as Sydney Morning Herald reports. Images from locals and tourists alike soon flooded social media.
Tonight, we are illuminating the Sydney Opera House sails to show our support for everyone affected by the Australian bushfires. We want to send a message of hope and strength, and importantly to thank the emergency services and volunteers for their incredible efforts and courage pic.twitter.com/QGrRbRlDMh
— Sydney Opera House (@SydOperaHouse) January 11, 2020
Thank you to our amazing volunteers! pic.twitter.com/YEnw2RHVCU
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) January 11, 2020
Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron explained the move:
“We are lighting the Opera House sails to show our collective support for everyone affected by these devastating fires and to express our deepest gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers for their incredible efforts and courage.
“As difficult circumstances continue, we want to send a message of hope and strength to the people of Australia.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons described the move as a “truly special tribute”, and a “lovely display of appreciation and recognition”.
What a truly special tribute on the sails of our Sydney Opera House to the #NSWRFS volunteers and all those involved in the fire fighting effort across NSW. Thank you to Louise Herron and all the @SydOperaHouse team for the lovely display of appreciation and recognition. pic.twitter.com/VUOviMCYy8
— Shane Fitzsimmons (@RFSCommissioner) January 11, 2020
The famous sails of the @SydOperaHouse have been lit up in a special tribute tonight. While there have been many people, agencies and groups involved in the bush fire effort, there is special recognition for #NSWRFS volunteers who have given up their time to help others. pic.twitter.com/QEMfGxQz5k
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 11, 2020
Yesterday the Opera House and promoter Live Nation also announced a new fundraiser Comedy Steps Up For Bushfire Relief, featuring Tim Minchin, Simpsons and Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer, Becky Lucas, Joel Creasey and more.
The money raised will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief And Recovery Fund, NSW Rural Fire Service, Wildlife Victoria and WIRES.
You can buy tickets here from Wednesday.
The display and ongoing fundraising efforts occur as the Prime Minister appeared on ABC’s Insiders this morning where, as ABC reports, he promised to take a royal commission into the bushfire crisis to cabinet.