More than 40 members of the Australian advertising industry raised over $102,000 last week as part of UnLtd’s annual “Bail Out” event, supporting youth at risk of incarceration.
A night behind bars
Held at the former Yasmar Detention Centre in Sydney, the initiative saw 45 participants (dubbed “inmates”) undergo simulated prison intake processes, including fingerprinting, isolation, and guard supervision. The experience was designed to mirror the loss of autonomy experienced by children in the justice system and raise awareness of its impacts on mental health and development.
Participants also attended workshops led by individuals with lived experience and representatives from youth-focused organisations such as Down The Track and Musicians Making a Difference. These sessions highlighted the systemic issues contributing to youth crime and the role of preventative programs.
Adland Bail Out 2025
The top fundraisers
Among the top fundraisers were Kristiaan Kroon, Brittany Crowley, Philippa Noilea-Tani, Winston Stening, and Lauren Dawber. Dawber, Senior Director Media, Operations & Performance at Optus, described the night as “thought provoking” and called for legislative reform: “Let’s raise the age together, no child that young should experience the justice system, they need care not incarceration.”
Call to raise age of criminal responsibility
The event also spotlighted the Raise the Age NSW campaign, which advocates for increasing the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14. Philippa Moig, CEO of UnLtd, who also participated in the event, said: “It reminded me that there are no ‘bad’ kids, just better alternatives we must fight for.”
The Bail Out event aims to mobilise industry professionals in support of systemic change, using collective fundraising and lived experience to generate awareness and policy momentum.