$97K light show sparks outrage among residents over spending priorities

As the city of Sydney prepares to roll out the red carpet for King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival, a lavish welcome gesture has ignited a fiery debate among Australians.

The royal couple, set to embark on a nine-day tour down under, will be greeted with a grand spectacle that has left some citizens questioning the use of public funds.


In a display of pomp and pageantry, the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated with a curated photo montage for four minutes from 8 pm, showcasing images from previous royal visits.

This grand gesture, intended to celebrate King Charles's first visit to New South Wales as Sovereign, costs $97,030.


1729208273656.png
A celebratory welcome is to be received by King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the Sydney Opera House sails illuminated by images of previous royal visits. Credit: Shutterstock


Premier Chris Minns has expressed that the light show is a 'fitting tribute' to welcome Their Majesties and to commemorate this historic moment.

The public is invited to witness the projection and even catch a glimpse of the King and Queen as they engage with the crowd on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

The royal visit will also feature a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, complete with an Australian Defence Force flypast and an on-water review of His Majesty’s Australian ships.


These events offer additional opportunities for the public to partake in the celebrations from various vantage points around the city.

However, the decision to spend nearly $100,000 on the light show has sparked outrage among many Australians, who have taken to social media to voice their concerns.

Critics argue that the funds could have been better allocated to address pressing issues such as the housing crisis, overcrowded hospitals, and the rising cost of living.

One Facebook user lamented the waste of taxpayer money on a visit by millionaires, while another questioned the excitement of 'battling Aussies' over such an extravagant expenditure.

Many echoed the sentiment of channelling funds to the needy, highlighting the disconnect between royal fanfare and the everyday struggles of the Australian people.


On the flip side, royal enthusiasts have expressed their excitement and support for the visit, with some planning to bring their families to the festivities.

Monarchists, in particular, look forward to warmly welcoming the King and Queen, showcasing the divide in public opinion.

As we delve into this contentious issue, it's essential to consider the broader implications of such expenditures.

While royal visits can boost tourism and international relations, they also raise questions about government spending priorities, especially in economic hardship for many citizens.
Key Takeaways
  • King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to receive a celebratory welcome with the Sydney Opera House sails to be illuminated with images of previous royal visits.
  • The NSW Government curated the photo montage to commemorate the King's first visit as Sovereign for $97,030.
  • Public members have expressed mixed reactions to the cost, with some criticising the expense during economic hardship.
  • Despite the controversy, some Australians are enthusiastic about the royal visit, planning to welcome the King and Queen in person.
Do you think the $97K light show is an excellent tribute to the royal visit, or is it a waste of money? How else could that money benefit Australians? Let us know in the comments below.
 
Sponsored
I'm always the one who admit when I'm wrong.
I'm the one who usually shuts up and let others think they are right.

I'm the one who always apologises when I'm in the wrong.

I m sorry you have taken it to heart ❤️ 💙 💜 but dam if I will apologise for something I believe is right.

Charles and Camilla are adulters.

Australia should not be paying out all that money for fireworks and security for them.

There are so many Australians hurting atm who that money could help.

Australia has a huge debt , that money could have helped pay that debt.

Before you ask, I don't need the money but I know plenty who do.

Now what was it you wanted me to apologise for 🤔
You're not thinking with a clear head. You know you threw so many allegations around that were provably untrue.

If you think I'm silly enough to take your ramblings to heart, let me tell you this: Dr Anthony Dillon - google him, because you're probably not aware of him - a good friend of mine, taught me years ago that offence cannot be given, it can only be taken. I certainly don't allow the insults of total strangers who know nothing about me to interfere with my peace of mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8
Hubby 😳 their not married they just live together
I know that 🙂 but it's only signing a piece of paper, once your living together it's like your married.

Defacto relationships have the same rights as being married only difference is a piece of signed paper.

Marriage is a commitment to each other .

Hope there wasn't any typo's
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DLHM
You're not thinking with a clear head. You know you threw so many allegations around that were provably untrue.

If you think I'm silly enough to take your ramblings to heart, let me tell you this: Dr Anthony Dillon - google him, because you're probably not aware of him - a good friend of mine, taught me years ago that offence cannot be given, it can only be taken. I certainly don't allow the insults of total strangers who know nothing about me to interfere with my peace of mind.
I'm not sure how I offended you. I'm posting about Charles and Camilla not you !!
 
  • Love
Reactions: Veggiepatch
The sum spent on the photo montage wouldn't even pay for half a roundabout. If you knew anything about the cost of health care equipment, you'd know that $97,000 is a drop in the bucket. If you're so concerned about wasted money, let's cancel all government expenditure on anything other than basic infrastructure. It'll be a miserable old world, but ho hum.

I'm sorry that you find it necessary to speak about people, any people, in the way you do. It must be terrible to have so much hatred and bitterness in you to think this way. Still, I should congratulate you on living such a perfect life and surrounding yourself with perfect people. You must suffer so badly knowing that there are people in the world who don't live up to your elevated standards.
You are a control friek , why are you attacking everyone on here just because you don't like hearing the truth.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Joydie
I'm not sure how I offended you. I'm posting about Charles and Camilla not you !!
Did you not read my last reply? I told you offence cannot be given, it can only be taken. I choose not to be offended by someone who had her facts all wrong, saying Charles and Camilla didn't meet until she was married with two children, then posting a screed proving yourself wrong, then changing tack and carrying on about adultery, which nobody was denying.

I'm not offended, I just feel sorry that you don't appear to be able to construct a valid debate, because you allow emotion to cloud your reasoning.
 
Did you not read my last reply? I told you offence cannot be given, it can only be taken. I choose not to be offended by someone who had her facts all wrong, saying Charles and Camilla didn't meet until she was married with two children, then posting a screed proving yourself wrong, then changing tack and carrying on about adultery, which nobody was denying.

I'm not offended, I just feel sorry that you don't appear to be able to construct a valid debate, because you allow emotion to cloud your reasoning.
👋
 
One big waste of money, do they not realise that there are families out there who are starving? Do they,not see the tent cities that are springing up all over the place because people can't find places to live? A display of coloured lights worth $97,000 seems over done for a pair of overcooked rich dudes, who really don't give a crap about what happens to this country, if anything they should be giving us money to host them, after all they owe us rent for all the people they dumped on us all thosethank hea years ago.
thank heavens we have another with brains.... thank you. I'd love to know who has made the most posts...I get sick of having to change tv channels when they insult my sight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Veggiepatch
Get a grip lady, she is an adulteress he is a pampered mummy's boys who can't even open his own eggs, or tie his own shoe laces, they have never worked a day in their lives but expect everything , I am over people trying to excuse him and her for what they did, why should she get all the joy of being a grandmother, and Diana not. They both also need to be kept in knowledge they are not worth anything in this day and age.
So very well said. I'd love to know how many for and against people there are. I'll bet that most of the royalists are ex Poms...if UK is so good WHY DID THEY LEAVE?
It has been reported that royal visits to Australia has cost the taxpayer more then $6 million since 2011.

What purpose did this "pomp and circumstance" frivolity serve?

ABSOLUTELY NONE WHATSOEVER?

Piss off back home to FuckingHAM Palace. I suppose the Muslims hate you too!! :ROFLMAO:
Spot on Veggie
 
Still waiting for your apology, Suzanne. You were wrong on every point except the fact that they committed adultery. Nobody ever debated that point.

You were so hell bent on being the know all moral arbiter that you were making things up to try and prove your point. It's cold and lonely on the moral high ground. You'd find it much nicer down here with those of us who have the grace to allow others to have human failings.
Apology? Next you'll be engaging Shine Lawyers for a lawsuit.

Typical thin skinned royalist. Say ONE thing against your "beloved" royal rabble and you're the biggest arsehole in the world.

As far as I'm concerned, the whole lot of them can rot in their own fetid excrement. Damn incestuous inbreds!
 
Apology? Next you'll be engaging Shine Lawyers for a lawsuit.

Typical thin skinned royalist. Say ONE thing against your "beloved" royal rabble and you're the biggest arsehole in the world.

As far as I'm concerned, the whole lot of them can rot in their own fetid excrement. Damn incestuous inbreds!
I'm going to grab a coffee to wait for her reply. Oh crap I need to clean my kitchen
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Veggiepatch
Apology? Next you'll be engaging Shine Lawyers for a lawsuit.

Typical thin skinned royalist. Say ONE thing against your "beloved" royal rabble and you're the biggest arsehole in the world.

As far as I'm concerned, the whole lot of them can rot in their own fetid excrement. Damn incestuous inbreds!
She is going to be waiting along time for an apology 🙄 I'm still wondering why I owe her an apology
 
Apology? Next you'll be engaging Shine Lawyers for a lawsuit.

Typical thin skinned royalist. Say ONE thing against your "beloved" royal rabble and you're the biggest arsehole in the world.

As far as I'm concerned, the whole lot of them can rot in their own fetid excrement. Damn incestuous inbreds!
Sick, sick person! If the world has people like you in it, decent humans wouldn't want to grow old.

Obviously your intelligence and reasoning skills only extend to the point of attempting to insult others with foul language. So sad for you to be mired in such negativity, bitterness and hatred.
 
  • Angry
  • Like
Reactions: Littleboy8 and DLHM
Sick, sick person! If the world has people like you in it, decent humans wouldn't want to grow old.

Obviously your intelligence and reasoning skills only extend to the point of attempting to insult others with foul language. So sad for you to be mired in such negativity, bitterness and hatred.
I am most definitely a decent person and I want to grow old with @Veggiepatch. 🥰
 
Sick, sick person! If the world has people like you in it, decent humans wouldn't want to grow old.

Obviously your intelligence and reasoning skills only extend to the point of attempting to insult others with foul language. So sad for you to be mired in such negativity, bitterness and hatred.
Piss off back to Old Bailey.

It's 7.10 am and I haven't warmed up yet.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×