Karthik007’s Blog

Sydney defied predictions of a gloomy 2009 with its biggest ever New Year party and midnight fireworks display on Wednesday (December 31), watched by an estimated 1.5 million revellers on the glittering harbour and surrounds.

The theme for the celebrations was “Creation” and the centre piece was a pyrotechnic storm over Australia’s biggest city, with firework simulations of lightning, thunder and rain, all linked to Aboriginal creation myths put together by creative director Rhoda Roberts.

About 120,000 firework shells and shooting comets exploded in the $3.45 million display. They were launched from barges, buildings and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. he party, one of the first to kick off New Year celebrations around the world, comes against economist warnings that up to one million Australians will be unemployed by the end of 2009 as joblessness spikes from 4.4 percent to near 8 percent.

Melbourne, Australia’s second-biggest city, was also seeking to defy the rocky economic outlook and rival Sydney with a $3.2 million sell-out “oak of love” dance party attracting 40,000 revellers dressed in white to an indoor arena.

Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she would not be joining the main celebrations as the centre-left government looked ahead to dealing with the fallout of the financial crisis and protecting jobs in 2009.

An hour later it was Auckland’s turn to celebrate as thousands of revellers packed the CBD to witness a dazzling fireworks display, which exploded from the city’s 328 metres high Sky Tower.