Aussies Want Equality & Better Future For Kids

Australians want greater equality, happiness and a better future for children, according to data collected by The Benevolent Society at the annual Vivid Sydney light festival.

The Benevolent Society’s CEO Anne Hollonds said more than 500 people had submitted their hope for change through the interactive Hundreds and Thousands installation at Vivid Sydney, which is part of the charity’s 200th birthday celebrations this month.

“As the Vivid festival wraps up, we’ve seen some clear themes emerging, with an overwhelming majority of visitors wanting to see more equality, happiness and a better future for children,” Hollonds said.

The Hundreds and Thousands installation responds with dynamic light patterns when people submit their hopes for change online through the website hopesforchange.org.au or using the hash tag #hopesforchange on Twitter or Instagram.

Of the hopes shared at Vivid:

• 21.6% hoped for more love, happiness and kindness
• 17.5% hoped for greater equality, including 3.5% who hoped for same sex marriage
• 16.3% hoped for a better future and equal opportunities for Australian children.

“The Benevolent Society celebrated its 200th anniversary earlier this month and while we’ve come a long way in two centuries we were struck by the big social issues that still face Australians today,” Hollonds said.

“Hundreds and Thousands is visually spectacular, but it’s also a brilliant way to gauge what people from all ages and walks of life think still needs to change in Australia – and the trends that have emerged are quite striking.

“While Vivid is now over, you can still share your hope for change online at hopesforchange.org.au.”

The Benevolent Society is the first charity to be chosen to have a light installation at Vivid Sydney. Hundreds and Thousands was developed in partnership with creative agency Designworks and digital agency Reactive.