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The Conversation
Lifestyle
Michelle Arrow, Professor of History, Macquarie University

Sydney Opera House at 50: a public appeal, a controversial build, a lavish opening – and a venue for all

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point Sydney, 1965. City of Sydney Archives, CC BY-NC-ND

It is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It has an instantly recognisable silhouette that adorns tea towels, bottle openers and souvenir sweatshirts.

Miniature versions huddle in snow domes. You can build your own from Lego. Bidjigal artist and elder Esme Timbery constructed a replica in her trademark shell art. Ken Done put it on doona covers and bikinis. If you search the hashtag on Instagram, you will see over a million posts.

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