Australian Red Cross disappointed after plans to light up Sydney Opera House sails for key 110th anniversary snubbed

The lighting up of Sydney’s Opera House sails is once again facing scrutiny with the NSW Government under fire for refusing a request to illuminate the landmark to honour one of Australia’s biggest volunteer organisations.

One of Australia’s longest running volunteer organisations has expressed disappointment after its application to have the Sydney Opera House sails illuminated for its 110th anniversary was snubbed.

Across Australia, significant landmarks were lit up this week to mark the 110th anniversary of the Australian Red Cross and its vital work including providing support for communities during major disasters and facilitating the nationwide Lifeblood program.

The list of landmarks illuminated for the occasion included Melbourne’s MCG, the Storey Bridge in Queensland and even Coffs Harbour’s big banana.

The Australian Red Cross had also hoped to have the occasion recognised by having perhaps Australia’s most recognisable landmark – the Opera House – lit up in red.

Instead, the organisation says it was left disappointed after the application was rejected by the Sydney Opera House in the lead-up to Tuesday’s milestone anniversary.

The Australian Red Cross applied to have the Opera House sails lit up for the occasion.

The NSW Government has not confirmed why the application was rejected but the decision comes after the policy for lighting up the sails was tightened as part of a cost-saving move.

The decision follows other recent high-profile snubs involving the illumination of the sails including the coronation of King Charles due to government concerns over costs.

The move had sparked anger from monarchists who had pledged to help pay for the projection.

However, not all recent significant events have been given the cold shoulder with a host of other applications approved including last year’s visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sydney, the Matildas’ World Cup Campaign and this year’s World Pride festivities.

Other landmarks across Australia – including Flinders St Station in Melbourne – were lit up in red for the 110th anniversary. Photo: Australian Red Cross.

NSW Arts Minister John Graham told parliament the application by the Australian Red Cross was rejected by the Sydney Opera House last Tuesday after his office was approached by the organisation on June 26 with the request.

Mr Graham said the current policy is that applications “by the public to light the Opera House Sails are generally not accepted”.

A NSW Government spokesman did not provide further details about why the Red Cross application was rejected or the estimated cost of having the sails illuminated in red.

The sails were recently lit up during Vivid Sydney.

The spokesman, however, said other NSW Government buildings were lit up to mark the 110th anniversary including the Sydney Cricket Ground, Government House, Central Station’s clock tower and the State Library of NSW.

The decision comes after the Sydney Opera House finalised a review of its rules for the lighting up the iconic structure in the wake of increased government scrutiny over the cost and frequency of illuminating the sails.

Mr Graham previously said he wanted to make sure the Opera House was not being turned into a “billboard for any occasion that comes or goes which is what the former government did”.

In 2022, the Opera House was lit up 70 times at a cost to taxpayers of between $5.6m to $7m.

Earlier this year, The Daily Telegraph revealed the cost of lighting up the sails for other recent events including a $140,700 bill to celebrate the Matildas’ World Cup campaign.

A photo of the Sydney Opera House illuminated for the Matildas ahead of their first World Cup knockout round last year.

NSW Opposition MP Rachel Merton estimated the cost of lighting up the Opera House in red for the Australian Cross could have been “as low as $10,000”.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Australian Red Cross said “while it was unfortunate they were unable to join us in marking our 110th anniversary, we are completely understanding of their policy review”.

The spokeswoman said the Red Cross had been in “direct communication with the Opera House” however had not discussed the costs associated with lighting the sails.

Despite the snub, the spokeswoman said the organisation was “grateful for the incredible support shown by all who have helped us commemorate this milestone across the country including the NSW Government”.

The Australian Red Cross was founded in 1914 when thousands of Australians signed up to volunteer in hospitals to help the sick and wounded during the First World War.