The then Australian prime minister announced our troops were going to engage in the Iraq war. Many Australians were against this. Within my group of friends and acquaintances, we wished there was some way of expressing our disapproval to our Prime minister. 

After seeing a photograph of 38  women in Marin County spelling the words NO WAR, with their naked bodies, I was deeply moved by their courage. These were not beautiful, young models, but middle aged, and older women. A doctor, Lawyer, grandmother, shop assistant, all casting aside their fear and insecurities to send a powerful message via the media. I wanted to send a message to my Prime minister, I wanted to support these women. I called my photographer friend Peter Carrette. I asked another friend if we could use his paddock, a safe place away from prying eyes. Once I had a location and photographer, it was time to send out invitations to any women that wanted to participate. I wanted 76 brave hearted women to get their gear off and spell out NO WAR using their naked bodies.

If they were going to do it, then I had to join them. I was not at all comfortable getting my kit off for a very public photograph. Local men from my village rode their horses in the woods surrounding the paddock to protect the women from  prying eyes. They were also on the lookout for rogue photographers trying to steal our image.

I got contact lists from everyone I knew and sent out my invitations. I asked any participants to congregate in my village. From there, they would be escorted to the undisclosed location. Peter organised a light plane with an assistant photographer to get some shots from above.

On the day, I waited at the village park hoping for enough women to turn up. C’mon girls, 76 of you will make a great photo.

The cars came, packed with females and they kept coming. Their cars blocked the roads. I had to organise a local coach service to come and ferry them to the location. 750 brave hearted females, from  8 – 80 yrs old wanted to send our Prime Minister a message .

Before the last woman pulled her knickers up, Brazilian media had downloaded the image. Thousands of newspapers and magazines around the world downloaded that photo. And soon after women, and men across the planet hopped on board and joined in with their own NO WAR photographs.