Courting controversy outdoors – how to stand out without getting in the way

In October 2018, hundreds of protesters gathered around the Sydney Opera House to oppose a controversial piece of advertising for the Everest horse race.

The ad’s approval had been a subject of national and international debate for days, with the ultimate decision falling to Sydney premier Gladys Berejiklian. After various on-air rants, including a call from Alan Jones to have Opera House chief executive Louise Herron sacked, the promotion was eventually given the go-ahead.

In response, a crowd of protesters shone torches onto the building in an attempt to obscure the projection, held up posters with slogans including “sails not sales”, and booed.