Crowds Down But Festive Spirit High
The Age
Tuesday January 1, 2008
PARTYGOERS across Victoria came out in force for New Year's Eve celebrations despite soaring temperatures that stretched well into the night.
On the banks of the Yarra shrieks filled the air as families celebrated early with a spectacular fireworks display at 9.15 last night.Thousands gathered to catch a glimpse and by showtime everyone was gazing into the night sky, revelling in the bursts of colour.Burwood mother Melissa Herron, who was joined by husband Steven and children Tom, 8, and Natalie, 6, said the show was beautiful. "With the city skyline in the background and a beautiful night, what better could you want for Melbourne?" she said. "I am really proud of the city."Angela Giucastro, of Mornington, was equally impressed. It was her first family fireworks with husband Elio, daughter Sofia, 2, and son Anthony, 1."It's just nice seeing all the families with the kids," she said. "Everyone is in a good mood."Pakenham man Andrew Streader and his young family were back to see the fireworks after watching last year's spectacular display.He said his ex-wife Tina, son Lachlan, 9, and daughters Kimberley, 9, and Hayley, 8, brought their own picnic and hoped to make it an annual event."It was great (last year) and that's why we came back again," Mr Streader said. And despite the heat, the Basin's Gurney family vowed to return in coming years."We were expecting a lot more people and it to be a lot more crowded, but this is great," Stuart Gurney said.Early crowd estimates were far lower then the 500,000 predicted, but the surge for the midnight extravaganza packed the streets around Federation Square as revellers jostled for a good position. Around Melbourne, private parties were pumping, and in Richmond, an annual homecoming of expats was in full swing. Guests, including a London-based lawyer, arrived as ice-shaved cocktails were downed and a keg was tapped. In the kitchen, New York-based activist Andrew Hudson sat catching up with friends. "I haven't seen you for ages," he told one, "Except on Facebook photos."Over in Brunswick West, the hot evening was being beaten with ice. "There's no ice in the district. None," said Savindi Wijeratne, 25. "We're calling in friends coming from the suburbs to bring some in." At Taxi Dining Room in Federation Square, a gangster-themed party saw fully suited men - wearing spats over their shoes - down champagne to bring in 2008. The restaurant was filled with hospitality staff enjoying a night off. In a maroon dress and thick stockings, ice-cream maker Kim Veale revelled in the break. "I snuck it off," she said. "We're all fortunate to work in places that shut down."Crown Casino socialite Ann Peacock hosted local identities including Sam Newman, Derryn Hinch and Helen Kapalos at a 1000-strong invitation-only event in the Palladium.In country towns across Victoria locals partied on, although in some places festivities were a bit slow to get started. The manager of the Golden Age Hotel in Omeo, Judy Modra, said the crowd swelled as the night went on."We've got a lot of people here. Everybody's just enjoying the weather, having good food and wine and celebrating the New Year," she said.In Lorne, tens of thousands of music lovers sweated to the beat as acts including Regurgitator, the Beautiful Girls and Girl Talk built the night up, with Nashville rockers Kings of Leon taking crowds through to 2008.It was a similar story at Phillip Island's Pyramid Rock Festival, where the combination of alcohol and heat took its toll on the 5000-strong crowd.St John Ambulance said 344 people had been treated over the past two days, including eight taken to hospital."There's been quite a few overcome with the heat," St John Ambulance spokesman Jonathan Cooper said. "It's not drug-related, it's not alcohol-related, it's just the fact that it's so hot."
© 2008 The Age