LAST Saturday’s Australia Unites Rally in Sydney has been hailed “a success beyond expectations”, according to organiser Mary-Jane Liddicoat, whose company Freedom Financials is a Cairns News sponsor.
“On Saturday 13 September, 5000 to 10,000 everyday Australians gathered in Sydney for the Australia Unites Rally — far exceeding the organisers’ expectations,” she said.
“In the lead-up, many had been disappointed that the planned march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge was withdrawn after legal challenges. But on the day, that disappointment gave way to unity and resolve. The march through Sydney’s CBD and the return to Hyde Park proved uplifting, peaceful, and powerful.”
She said the rally featured a diverse line-up of speakers who gave voice to the struggles and aspirations of everyday Australians:
- Professor Gigi Foster – UNSW economist, co-founder of the Council for Science and Freedom
- Captain Graham “Hoody” Hood – former Qantas pilot and trusted voice of courage
- Michael Simms – children’s health advocate, MMAMV
- John Larter – former NSW paramedic and Chair, Aligned Council of Australia
- Sonia Qutami – filmmaker, Rescuing Children
- Rick Herrera – community leader, SWAG Family Sydney
- Michael Gray Griffith – Cafe Locked Out
- Cass Smith – accountant, Freedom Financial Solutions (FFS)
- Doris Osman – naturopath and health advocate
- Mary-Jane Liddicoat – community leader and organiser, Millions March
“Each speaker shared lived experiences and practical insights, leaving the crowd energised and connected,” said Ms Liddicoat.
She also noted that the rally took place in the shadow of tragedy, just days after Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was assassinated in Utah. “Kirk had built TPUSA into America’s largest conservative youth movement, and his death underscored the dangers of hostility replacing dialogue.
“At the same time, the event’s impact stretched far wider than Hyde Park. Joel Jammal, Turning Point Australia leader, streamed live coverage and commentary, with hundreds of thousands watching online, amplifying the rally’s reach across the nation.”
Cairns News posted a link to the live coverage.
Ms Liddicoat said the event cost organisers around $15,000, which was fully covered through sponsorship — without asking the public for donations.
“This support ensured the day had a professional stage and quality sound system, so everyone could both see and hear clearly. Sponsors also handed out 200 souvenir rally vests and some t-shirts, adding a strong sense of unity and memorabilia to the day.
“Crucially, the rally was delivered under the watchful gaze of the NSW Police, with marshals and officers working together to maintain a peaceful, family-friendly environment.
“The result was a safe day where significant numbers of everyday Australians, from diverse cultural and other backgrounds, could march and gather confidently in the heart of Sydney.
“The rally’s success showed that Australians are not only concerned about cost-of-living pressures, health outcomes, and government overreach — they are ready to come together peacefully and demand better.
“For Freedom Financial Solutions, the message is clear: just as communities can stand together for change, so too can individuals take control of their financial future. Preparation, action, and resilience are the keys to security — whether in family life, community, or finance.”
