Sydney Harbor New Years Eve Fireworks
The Sydney Harbor New Years Eve Fireworks are held every New Years Eve, over Sydney Harbor, centering at the Sydney Harbor Bridge. They take place in two shows, a minor show at 9pm and the major show at midnight. The fireworks are often viewed by more than one million people, with the New Years Eve 2007 - 2008 display being viewed by 1.5 million people.[1] The display usually has a theme, with the 2007 - 2008 theme being "The Time Of Our Lives". The display is televised on Channel 10, in two parts, matching the two displays.
"Bridge Effect"
Towards the end of each year since 1998, the Sydney Harbour Bridge has what is referred to coloquially as the "Bridge Effect", in which fireworks and a light display using a framework and rope lighting are used to complement the fireworks on New Year's Eve. In the months leading up to December 31 (usually from late October), the scaffolding and framework are clearly visible, as is the outline for the design, which leaves the Sydneysiders speculating as to how the effect is to be realised.
- 1998-99 - Smiley face with hair.
- 1999-2000 - "Eternity" in Copperplate writing, in honour of Arthur Stace
- 2000-01 - Rainbow Serpent and Federation Star.
- 2001-02 - Uluru
- 2002-03 - Dove of Peace
- 2003-04 - Light show
- 2004-05 - Disco ball
- 2005-06 - Love Heart (3 concentric love hearts with lights behind the middle) (theme - "Heart of the Harbor")
- 2006-07 - Coathanger and a diamond.
- The 2006/07 "Bridge Effect" was created to celebrate the bridge's 75th anniversary or Diamond Jubilee in 2007. The theme was "A Diamond Night In Emerald City". The coathanger in the display is in reference to the bridge's nickname. The use of Emerald City is a reference to the play of the same name. A question mark was shown in the nights leading up to the celebrations, which also doubled up as the curved end of the coathanger.
- 2007-08 - A sand timer. (theme - "The Time of Our Lives")
2007 Controversy
On New Years Eve 2006, televiser Channel 10 recieved several complaints regarding its coverage of New Years Eve 2006. The main issue was during a episiode of The Big Night In with John Foreman, when Matthew Foreman sat down with John next to a piano, and starting to have simulated oral sex.[2] This led to the telecast being called the "worst NYE ever", and calls for Channel 10 to lose the rights to the telecast (this was Channel 10's first New Years Eve show, after the rights had been given to them from Channel 9) being given to a more responsible network. Amonst other things, a pashing contest also took place on Sydney Harbour.