Sydney New Year's Eve Celebrations - the Best in the World!

SYDNEY, December 21 - Broadcast quality footage and high-res images available to download here:
medianet.multimediarelease.com.au/bundles/7a2c5c52-5cc0-40e3-a1bb-
7c08f39a3467

2009 Sydney New Year's Eve will burst into colour with another unrivalled
fireworks show, a parade of decorated sailing boats around the Sydney Opera
House and 1.5 million people wearing a touch of blue.

"Sydney is the New Year's Eve capital of the world with the largest and
most technologically advanced fireworks display with bigger crowds than
London, New York, Paris or Berlin," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

"We are the first major city to greet 2010 and are planning another
fantastic free celebration for the 1.5 million people who will gather around
our iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour foreshore. A third of them, are
overseas travellers who we welcome each year for Sydney New Year's Eve."

This year the theme Awaken the Spirit will be projected onto the pylons
of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 13 different languages of Sydney's top
migrant populations and tourist visitors. Arabic, Cantonese, French, Greek,
Hindi, Italian, Korean, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Dutch, Vietnamese and
Swahili, all join English and the ancient Indigenous language Gadigal to
welcome in the New Year.

"As a Bundjalung woman my Aboriginal ancestors believe we need to gather
and Awaken the Spirit each year. New Year's Eve is much the same, it's a time
of excitement and new beginnings," said Sydney New Year's Eve Creative
Director Rhoda Roberts who came up with the theme.

"I think Sydney's spirit is reflected by the colour blue, it's soulful,
sexy, sophisticated and blue is the colour of our stunning harbour and summer
sky. So this year, we're asking everyone to wear their own touch of blue and
celebrate Sydney's great spirit of life!"

Four Indigenous vessels will conduct a traditional smoking ceremony to
cleanse the Harbour whilst sailing around the Sydney Opera House.

The event features both the 9pm Family Fireworks and the Midnight
firework displays bringing the city alive with an atmosphere and experience
for spectators gathered around Sydney Harbour. For the first time in
Australia, Foti International Fireworks will use microchip fireworks and new
pyrotechnic effects to create spectacular patterns and designs with more
control and precision.

More information about 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve and high res images:
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2009/Press/default.asp

A short video about 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve:
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2009/Gallery/Video.asp

The official charity for 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve is the Australian
Conservation Foundation. For more information and inspiration, and to make
your Green Leaf commitment visit www.newgreenleaf.com.

The event is powered by Green Power.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2009 is proudly sponsored by 2DayFM, The Sydney
Morning Herald, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, DonateLife(TM), Bytecraft
Entertainment, Roads & Traffic Authority, Royal Australian Navy, NSW
Maritime, Sydney Opera House Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust,
Galliano, Coca-Cola Amatil [Aust] Pty Ltd, Carlton & United Breweries, Philip
Shaw Wines, Sydney Ports Corporation and Department of Environment, Climate
Change and Water.

2009 Sydney New Year's Eve is part of Vivacity.

Kicking off with the spectacular 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks,
the celebrations continue with Sydney Festival, including Festival First
Night and the not to be missed AR Rahman concert at Parramatta Park, the
Eliasson exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the prestigious
Medibank International Sydney tennis and Australia Day. To make the most of
your New Year in Sydney visit www.vivacitysydney.com.

    Media Contact:

    Leanne Lincoln
    llincoln@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
    or +612-9265-9910

Leanne Lincoln, llincoln at cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, +612-9265-9910