Post by Cullyn Of Cerrmor on Jan 1, 2009 9:54:06 GMT 9.5
Aussie revellers party like it's 2009
January 1, 2009 - 5:01AM
Australians have seen in the New Year in a flurry of fireworks, hugs and popping champagne corks, focusing on fun rather than economic gloom.
Sydney again turned on a pyrotechnical display to dazzle the world as one of the first major global cities to celebrate the start of 2009.
The $5 million show, with the theme of Creation, was a storm of never-seen-before fireworks and effects including simulated lightning, thunder and rain above the iconic Harbour Bridge.
An estimated 1.5 million Sydneysiders and tourists flocked to the harbour foreshore to soak up the sounds and sights of 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.
Revellers stood awestruck as the smoke and smell of gunpowder from 5,000kg of explosives wafted across the water.
An emotional Emelia Arangio, 25, who has just moved to Australia from Argentina, said welcoming 2009 in Sydney was an amazing moment.
"I've heard a lot about it. I've read a lot about it, and I come from so very far away," she said at the fireworks lit up a clear Sydney night.
"After flying for so many hours I'm just so happy to be here. It's just so special."
Most other Australian cities also revelled in good weather and clear skies for their midnight firework shows.
Partygoers in Perth braved a scorching 39 degrees earlier in the day as they prepared to celebrate the New Year.
Hobart, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide were chilly for a summer evening, but that did nothing to dampen the party mood in the southern cities.
No matter what the conditions, Australians were ready to celebrate as they saw in the New Year, hoping 2009 would be an improvement after 2008's economic crisis.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd urged Australians to go into the new year with optimism, but he admitted it would be tough.
"As we enter 2009, we know it will be a very tough year for the global economy. And it will be a tough year for Australia as well," he said in a New Year's message.
"What is important is that we remember we are all in this together," he said.
But the New Year's Eve crowds were concentrating on fun, not economic gloom.
Despite cooler than expected weather in Melbourne, hundreds of thousands lined the Yarra River for an extravaganza of fireworks, live music and carnival rides, or packed into Federation Square for a free concert.
Another 40,000 revellers attended the $4.6 million Sensation dance party at the Telstra Dome, one of Australia's largest New Year's Eve parties, featuring DJs and acrobats.
"This is the best night of my life. It's the best party ever," Matt Seaborn said.
In Adelaide, cool conditions kept early crowds down, but numbers swelled ahead of the midnight fireworks show.
Queensland blasted into its 150th birthday celebrations with impressive fireworks displays in Brisbane and the Gold Coast as well as Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Premier Anna Bligh said the night was the start of a year-long party in Queensland.
"There won't be another one like it celebrating our statehood for another 50 years at least," she said.
Apart from millions of revellers, police and emergency services were out in force across the country.
They warned people to drink responsibly, but paramedics were ready for the usual spike in alcohol-related injuries throughout the long night of celebrations.
Falls, fights and binge drinking were expected to keep ambulance officers and hospitals busy well into the wee hours of January 1.
But police hoped the vast majority of Australians would do the right thing.
"Our message to the community this year is have a good time by all means, but do so responsibly," said WA's Assistant Commissioner Dominic Staltari.
"Be tolerant, be patient, respect yourself, respect others and we'll all get along."
© 2009 AAP
January 1, 2009 - 5:01AM
Australians have seen in the New Year in a flurry of fireworks, hugs and popping champagne corks, focusing on fun rather than economic gloom.
Sydney again turned on a pyrotechnical display to dazzle the world as one of the first major global cities to celebrate the start of 2009.
The $5 million show, with the theme of Creation, was a storm of never-seen-before fireworks and effects including simulated lightning, thunder and rain above the iconic Harbour Bridge.
An estimated 1.5 million Sydneysiders and tourists flocked to the harbour foreshore to soak up the sounds and sights of 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.
Revellers stood awestruck as the smoke and smell of gunpowder from 5,000kg of explosives wafted across the water.
An emotional Emelia Arangio, 25, who has just moved to Australia from Argentina, said welcoming 2009 in Sydney was an amazing moment.
"I've heard a lot about it. I've read a lot about it, and I come from so very far away," she said at the fireworks lit up a clear Sydney night.
"After flying for so many hours I'm just so happy to be here. It's just so special."
Most other Australian cities also revelled in good weather and clear skies for their midnight firework shows.
Partygoers in Perth braved a scorching 39 degrees earlier in the day as they prepared to celebrate the New Year.
Hobart, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide were chilly for a summer evening, but that did nothing to dampen the party mood in the southern cities.
No matter what the conditions, Australians were ready to celebrate as they saw in the New Year, hoping 2009 would be an improvement after 2008's economic crisis.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd urged Australians to go into the new year with optimism, but he admitted it would be tough.
"As we enter 2009, we know it will be a very tough year for the global economy. And it will be a tough year for Australia as well," he said in a New Year's message.
"What is important is that we remember we are all in this together," he said.
But the New Year's Eve crowds were concentrating on fun, not economic gloom.
Despite cooler than expected weather in Melbourne, hundreds of thousands lined the Yarra River for an extravaganza of fireworks, live music and carnival rides, or packed into Federation Square for a free concert.
Another 40,000 revellers attended the $4.6 million Sensation dance party at the Telstra Dome, one of Australia's largest New Year's Eve parties, featuring DJs and acrobats.
"This is the best night of my life. It's the best party ever," Matt Seaborn said.
In Adelaide, cool conditions kept early crowds down, but numbers swelled ahead of the midnight fireworks show.
Queensland blasted into its 150th birthday celebrations with impressive fireworks displays in Brisbane and the Gold Coast as well as Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Premier Anna Bligh said the night was the start of a year-long party in Queensland.
"There won't be another one like it celebrating our statehood for another 50 years at least," she said.
Apart from millions of revellers, police and emergency services were out in force across the country.
They warned people to drink responsibly, but paramedics were ready for the usual spike in alcohol-related injuries throughout the long night of celebrations.
Falls, fights and binge drinking were expected to keep ambulance officers and hospitals busy well into the wee hours of January 1.
But police hoped the vast majority of Australians would do the right thing.
"Our message to the community this year is have a good time by all means, but do so responsibly," said WA's Assistant Commissioner Dominic Staltari.
"Be tolerant, be patient, respect yourself, respect others and we'll all get along."
© 2009 AAP