Author: Sydney Spectaculars

No Clearance: Illegal Drone Use At Vivid Sydney 2023 Prompts Warnings From Authorities

If you see illegal drone use at Vivid Sydney, you can report to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) here.

This year’s Vivid Sydney, the 1st post-COVID-19 pandemic edition & the 2nd since the pandemic began, from as early as the opening weekend, has seen people bringing & flying drones despite not having approval from CASA, putting at risk helicopters, seaplanes as well as Vivid Sydney’s own drone shows and spectators – all of which are at low altitude. As a result, organisers and authorities are urging people to not fly drones at Vivid Sydney unless you have approval from CASA.

Vivid Sydney 2023 is the 1st ‘Sydney Spectacular’ and year respectively that illegal drone use from people has promoted warnings from authorities.

We are aware some people have brought their drones to Vivid

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

You may not be aware, especially if you’re an international visitor, but Sydney Harbour is not just a working international seaport but a domestic airport as well. Whilst helicopters fly at low altitudes frequently over Sydney Harbour from numerous heliports, whether it is media, medical/rescue/tourist flights or civilians having a recreational flight, seaplanes actually use the Harbour as a runway. Rose Bay is the home & ‘runway’ of Sydney’s seaplanes, which takes tourists on joy flights around New South Wales & is just a mere 4 kilometres from the heart of Vivid Sydney, Circular Quay.

Seaplanes and ‘land’ planes are still the same – they are aeroplanes. They need room to take off and most critically, land, particularly if it is an emergency landing and they need to fly at lower altitudes to do this. All this applies to helicopters as well.

Orange: Approved Seaplane/Helicopter Air Routes, Red: Rose Bay Water Airport Boundary, Silver: Recommended Seaplane ‘Runways’, Yellow: Vivid Sydney Drone Show Boundaries, Purple: Vivid Light Walk 2023

With the King’s Birthday long weekend approaching, when the biggest Vivid Sydney crowds arrive, organisers, CASA & New South Wales Police are urging people to keep drones away from Sydney Harbour unless you have approval from CASA.

Drones aren’t completely banned from Sydney Harbour. You just need to receive approval from CASA. Even if you did get approval, you still have to follow the rules:

  • You can only fly 1 drone at a time.
  • Your drone must be direct visual line-of-sight at all times so you cannot fly via instruments like devices, screens or virtual reality goggles.
  • Only fly your drone during the day
  • Your drone must be in flight 30 metres away from people (except from the pilot or supervisors) regardless of altitude.
  • Your drone must be no higher than 120 metres above the ground during flight.
  • Your drone must not be flown behind obstacles, in cloud, fog, smoke or within 100 metres of Sydney Opera House’s Benny The Seal

To extend beyond most of the above rules, you need special approvals from CASA.

There are extra rules when flying over New South Wales national parks such as Sydney Harbour National Parks.

If you’re unsure where to fly your drone, use a CASA-verified drone safety app to find out where you can and can’t fly you drone. Download your preferred app today here.

If you intend to fly your drone for or at work (commercially), you will also need to register your drone with CASA and get a licence/accreditation.

In Australia, CASA follow up reports of illegal drone use, who may advise you on laws and give you a warning. They can also issue fines of up to AUD$1,375 per offence, impose operating restrictions or restrict/cancel your accreditation, licence, certificate, or registration.

For serious offences, such as if you interfere with a drone or your drone becomes a hazard to other aircraft, or if you refuse to pay a fine, CASA may refer your case to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and you may receive a summons to attend court. If the matter is taken to court, fines of up to AUD$33,300 can be imposed, you could be restricted from flying, convicted of a crime and sent to jail for up to 2 years.

If you did not know, Australia has a national drone detection system at airports.

For more information on drone use, visit CASA’s Drones webpage or the Australian Goverment’s Drones website.

Drone shows were first introduced to Sydney Harbour in 2016 & after a 6-year absence and since 2022, are now an annual feature at ‘flagship’ Sydney Spectacular, Vivid Sydney & other Sydney Spectaculars, Elevate Sydney & Noel Sydney. Vivid Sydney 2023 – Naturally‘s Written In The Stars drone show has been assessed by CASA “to ensure all safety measures and checks are in place”.

In the end, the more non-show drones in the air during Vivid, the more cluttered the night sky would be during Vivid, the less spectacular Vivid will be, the less drone shows there will be at Vivid.

Best advice: Keep the drones at home and photograph from land, watercraft or a non-drone aircraft.

Recreational drones should not be flown at night or in a populous area, such as major events like Vivid Sydney.

Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas are in a no drone zone, without prior approval, due to helicopters and seaplanes that fly at low altitudes in the area. If you’re heading to Vivid Sydney, leave your own drone at home.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Whilst we love to see the public enjoying the sights and sounds – and we appreciate the temptation to gain a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery – recreational drones pose a serious safety risk to the public when flown over crowds.

Drones are not permitted to be flown over populous areas, including crowds, beaches, parks, and events such as the Vivid Festival, and the Sydney CBD area.

The Sydney Harbour is a no-fly zone.

Breaching these rules can lead to fines, or even gaol.

We’d prefer that everyone avoids these penalties and instead has a safe and enjoyable time at the Vivid Festival.

New South Wales Police

Dominant QLD Lead By 8 Points In Women’s State Of Origin 2023

Queensland 18-10 New South Wales

After a close 1st half, Queensland went onto to lead for the whole 2nd half despite a final unsuccessful push by NSW to win Game 1 of an expanded 2-game Women’s State Of Origin & thereby, lead by 8 points going into the final match.

Rebecca Hatch performing before Game 1 of the Women’s State of Origin at Western Sydney Stadium.
Photograph: Women’s State Of Origin © Gregg Porteous

Women’s State Of Origin 2023 begun with Indigenous singer, Rebecca Hatch, building up the atmosphere for the record crowd of 12,972 with a singer-disc jockey duet set in the 30 minutes to kick-off, which concluded with a pyrotechnic display. Unlike in the men’s edition, this pre-match entertainment was not televised. The customary Welcome To Country, conducted by Aunty Julie Jones and performance of the National Anthem, sung by the Australian Girls Choir, then followed and was televised. The Women’s State Of Origin shield was waiting on the sidelines. Preceding all this, 2 hours prior to kick-off, was a RISE Rookies rugby league match between New South Wales (NSW) Blue Vs NSW Navy, an exhibition match comprising of aspiring athletes aged 17 and over. NSW Blue won 28-8.

Anyway, to the main game. Queensland scored the opening try (Julia Robinson) but crucially, missed the conversion, leaving their lead open to attack by NSW. Shortly after, New South Wales respond with determination by scoring its only converted try (Jessica Sergis). New South Wales were leading 6-4.

In a scary moment, NSW captain Isabelle Kelly, while attempting a tackle, injured her throat which resulted in her struggling for breath, vomiting blood and making an immediate trip to hospital, which, being in Parramatta, is not far away.

Shortly after, just as half-time approached, Queensland scored its only converted try (Tazmin Gray). At half-time, the score was 10-6 in favour of Queensland – just like in the men’s edition.

During half-time, a Little Origin match was held between William Stimson Public School & Kurnell Public School.

Unlike in the men’s edition, Queensland got off to a flyer in the 2nd half with 2 tries (Emily Bass & Julia Robinson) in quick succession, though both were not converted. New South Wales managed to respond with another try (Jaime Chapman), though unconverted & though dominating the game towards its conclusion, couldn’t reach the try line to make up the rest of Queensland’s lead in the final 25 minutes, giving Queensland the win in Game 1 & the lead in the expanded 2-game series.

The successful conversions were kicked by Zahara Temara for Queensland & Jesse Southwell for New South Wales.

The final score was Queensland 18-10 New South Wales. Under the rules of the expanded Women’s State Of Origin, the winner of the series is the team with the highest aggregate points after Game 2 and if they are tied, it will be the team with the most tries, which Queensland also leads 4-2. So, effectively, we are at half time in 4 quarter game with 2 quarters at home and 2 quarters away.

The girls were outstanding tonight. Just the effort, we saw the boys do it last night and I think the girls got a bit of a lift from that. They came out tonight and just put in effort upon effort and held New South Wales out late in that game.

Queensland coach, Tahnee Norris

I think we had some really, really good moments and some, looked really good in patches, but it was only in patches, and we need to be more consistent. I honestly don’t think we could play as bad as we did tonight.

New South Wales coach, Kylie Hilde

Game 2 will be held at North Queensland Stadium in Townsville on Thursday, June 22 at 7:45pm AEST & Game 2 of the men’s edition is the day prior at 8:05pm AEST at Lang Park, Brisbane.

Own Goal: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 No Longer Considered An ‘Extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular

As of 5th April 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is no longer considering the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & New Zealand an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular.

As the biggest event to be hosted by Australia since the International Fleet Review in 2013, it had been expected that after the conclusion of the Final, a no more than 3-minutes long fireworks display over Sydney Harbour would occur including no more than 2 barges & the Sydney Harbour Bridge upper arch and catwalk. A Bridge Effect would have also been expected but as times have changed, this would have been in the form of a drone show.

The reasoning behind this expectation is as follows:

  1. A 3-minute fireworks display, using 2 barges & the upper arch and catwalk of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as a Bridge Effect featured after the Rugby World Cup 2003 – Australia Final.
  2. The modern equivalent of a Bridge Effect is a drone show.
  3. In 2019, World Rugby decided that the words ‘Rugby World Cup’ would now refer to both the men’s and women’s editions.
  4. The FIFA World Cup, an international men’s association football tournament, is an event ranked in importance, below The Games Of The Olympiad & above the Rugby World Cup.
  5. The Games Of The Olympiad – Sydney 2000’s Closing Night Harbour Spectacular was the world’s largest fireworks display at the time.
  6. As both the Rugby World Cup 2003 – Australia & The Games Of The Olympiad – Sydney 2000 had significant fireworks displays on Sydney Harbour at the conclusion of the event if hosted in Sydney. therefore, the FIFA World Cup would also have a significant fireworks display at a size in-between the size of the preceding 2 events’ fireworks displays.
  7. The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the women’s equivalent of the FIFA World Cup.
  8. Sydney is hosting the Final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & New Zealand on Sunday, the 20 August 2023.
  9. The FIFA Women’s World Cup is ranked lower in importance than the Rugby World Cup (Men’s). Therefore, a drone show & a no more than 3-minute long fireworks display using the Sydney Harbour Bridge & no more than 2 barges should occur.

Sydney Spectaculars is of the understanding that there are no plans for a significant combined fireworks display & drone show nor a sole significant fireworks display, both of which would feature the Sydney Harbour Bridge upper arch and catwalk & no more than 2 barges.

Therefore, as of 5th April 2023, Sydney Spectaculars has decided to downgrade the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & New Zealand from an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular to just another Sydney Spectacular but not a ‘flagship’ Sydney Spectacular as it is not an annual event.

This is a major blow for Sydney’s event industry, culture & night-time economy. The lack of a similar fireworks display and drone show will be a notable absence in the history of major events in Sydney, reduce the significance of hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and potentially affecting Australia’s chances of one day hosting the men’s FIFA World Cup. It also leads to questions of possible discrimination on the basis of sex by FIFA, the tournament’s organisers, and the NSW Government, the government body most responsible for hosting such an event, particularly with the growth of women’s professional commercial sport in the past decade. The FIFA Women’s World Cup was first held in 1991 while the men’s FIFA World Cup was first held in 1930.

If Sydney Spectaculars finds out that by luck a significant fireworks display will occur after the Final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & New Zealand, we will immediately resume coverage of the event but at this stage, it looks unlikely. There is still every chance for a projection on the Sydney Opera House but this will not be significant as the building is lit up for many other events. A drone show is possible but such a drone show could have been held anywhere in the world – it just would be themed to Australia & New Zealand.

We wish the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & New Zealand every success.

NSW Slip From Jaws Of Victory As 12-Man QLD Storm To Claim Origin I 2023

Queensland 26-18 New South Wales

A 12-man Queensland side score 2 tries in quick succession after a slip from Brian To’o saw New South Wales see a sudden defeat in Game 1 of State Of Origin 2023 just as victory was in their grasp.

After all the White Noise of pre-match mind games, State Of Origin 2023 begun with Indigenous performances & a light & pyrotechnic show before Origin greats, Darren Lockyer & Paul Gallen brought the State Of Origin shield onto Adelaide Oval. This was followed by Australian rock band, The Living End, building up the atmosphere for the record-Adelaide crowd of 48.613 with a 10-minute set to the lead up to kick-off. The customary Welcome To Country, conducted by Uncle Karl Winda Telfer and performance of the National Anthem, sung by Stefanie Jones, then followed. Preceding all this, just under 2 hours prior to kick-off, was an Under-18’s match between Combined Affiliated States (CAS) Blue Vs CAS Silver to help decide which players would be selected for the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-18’s Championships CAS Team. CAS Blue won 28-12.

In Brisbane, the event just begun over 3 hours prior to kick-off, at sunset at 5:02pm local time, when the Story and Victoria Bridges, City Hall, Sandgate Town Hall, the Tropical Dome & Reddacliff Place sculptures were all lit up maroon.

Broadcast-wise, it started at 7pm with the Nine Network adding a live camera to the team buses & doing interviews with players from inside the bus on the way to the stadium. Only Queensland had this as NSW had already arrived before the broadcast started so their footage was on delay or non-existent.

The Nine Network also showed the team line-ups with the respective states’ iconic bridges in the background lit up in their team’s colours, complete with computer-generated fireworks. The Sydney Harbour Bridge lit up blue complete with blue pylon projections was shown again later but despite host James Bracey saying the shot was “live”, it was actually filmed 6 nights ago, before ‘flagship’ ‘Sydney Spectacular, Vivid Sydney, started and after Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit to Sydney being commemorated with the Harbour Bridge being lit up in the colours of the Indian flag, which was also projected onto the pylons.

Anyway, to the game. Queensland got off to a great start with 2 quick tries (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow & Selwyn Cobbo) 1 of which was converted, carving through the New South Wales defense. Then, the first injury of the night – a dislocated shoulder for Tom Gilbert. Liam Martin then broke through to score New South Wales’ 1st try of the night, converted. At half-time, the score was 10-6 in favour of Queensland.

Throughout the game, the Nine Network issued new ‘fatigue alerts’ when the game had gone 3 or 4 minutes without a stoppage.

During half-time, a Little Origin match was held between Elizabeth North Public School & East Torrens Public School.

New South Wales got off to a flyer in the 2nd half after a series of stumbles by Queensland saw Apisai Koroisau, score another converted try for New South Wales, bringing them into the lead for the 1st time during the match. Shortly after, Reuben Cotter was placed on report for an alleged crusher tackle on Josh Addo-Carr. This was followed by Selweyn Cobbo scoring another converted try with the littlest room available before the sideline which returned Queensland to the lead. Meanwhile, Stephen Crichton turned the tables around again after Queensland’s defence went to microsleep with another converted try.

To make matters worse for Queensland, a minute later, Thomas Flegler, was sent to the sin bin for a high knock until the final 90 seconds of the match. Murray Taulagi was interchanged at this point for a head injury assessment. Leaving Queensland with a man in the sin bin and thus, only 12 on the field and much needed talent on the sideline with injuries or injury assessments, it looked like a New South Wales victory was in sight but a slip from Brian To’o allowed an easy converted try scored by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. New South Wales’ spirit was broken and another unconverted try quickly followed suit, scored by Cameron Munster, to give Queensland the win in Game 1 of the 3-game series.

All successful conversions were kicked by Valentine Holmes for Queensland & Nathan Cleary for New South Wales.

The final score was Queensland 26-18 New South Wales. At this stage, if the Premiers resume ‘The Bet’ before Game 2 starts, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be lit maroon for at least 35 minutes on Friday 14th of July 2023 with Queensland just 1 win away from 2023 series victory.

It’s so good to get the win, the way we stuck in it and held on in that second half. We spoke about our cyclone and staying in the fight and keep turning up for each other

Player of the match, Reuben Cotter (QLD)

It was everything and more. As a kid you dream of putting on a Maroons jersey. There were nerves today but glad to get the win. Everyone’s going to question myself but Billy is a good coach and he has the trust in me. They didn’t need me to do anything more or less, just my job. Every session he pulled me in and gave me advice.

Queensland fullback, Reece Walsh.

Game 2 will be held at Lang Park on Wednesday, June 21 at 8:05pm AEST & Game 1 of an expanded 2-game Women’s State Of Origin is tomorrow at 7:45pm at Western Sydney Stadium.

‘State Of Origin’ Kicks Off As Newest Flagship ‘Sydney Spectacular’

The world’s greatest rugby league series – State Of Origin – has been designated as the 5th and newest flagship Sydney Spectacular.

This means the flagship Sydney Spectaculars are as follows:

  • Sydney New Year’s Eve (31 December/1 January)
  • Australia Day In Sydney (26 January)
  • Vivid Sydney (Late May to Mid-June)
  • State Of Origin (Late May to Mid-July)
  • Airshows Downunder – Shellharbour (November bi-annually)

(You may have noticed a name & date change for Wings Over Illawarra – more on this another time!)

The best of 3 series between the New South Wales (NSW) (nicknamed Blues/Cockroaches & Queensland (QLD) (nicknamed Maroons/Cane Toads), held annually with a match each in May, June & July, sees most of the world’s best rugby league players attempt to score tries, worth 4 points (and convert them into a goal – 2 points) & field goals, worth 1 point, by passing the ball to each other & when the opponent has the ball, tackling the opponent, in order to be the team with the most points after 2 40-minute halves, one half each way. The team with the most points wins the match. If a team wins the most out of the 3 matches, they win the State Of Origin Shield.

Historically, out of 41 editions, QLD has won 22 (53.66%), NSW 17 (41.46%) and 2 draws (4.88%). Draws are no longer possible due to extra-time & golden point rules.

Team lists are released 9 days prior to Game 1. Here is the 2023 Game 1 Team List:

GAME 1 TEAM LISTS

QLD

  • Fullback – Reece Walsh
  • Winger – Selwyn Cobbo
  • Centre – Valentine Holmes
  • Centre – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger – Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth – Cameron Munster
  • Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
  • Prop – Thomas Flegler
  • Hooker – Ben Hunt
  • Prop – Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row – David Fifita
  • 2nd Row – Tom Gilbert
  • Lock – Patrick Carrigan
  • Interchange – Harry Grant
  • Interchange – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
  • Interchange – Reuben Cotter
  • Interchange – Jai Arrow
  • Replacement – Tom Dearden
  • Reserve – Christian Welch

NSW

  • Fullback – James Tedesco (captain)
  • Winger – Brian To’o
  • Centre – Latrell Mitchell* Stephen Crichton
  • Centre – Tom Trbojevic
  • Winger – Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth – Jarome Luai
  • Halfback – Nathan Cleary
  • Prop – Tevita Pangai Junior
  • Hooker – Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop – Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row – Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row – Hudson Young
  • Lock – Isaah Yeo
  • Interchange – Junior Paulo
  • Interchange – Cameron Murray
  • Interchange – Liam Martin
  • Interchange – Nicholas Hynes
  • Replacement – Stephen Crichton Matt Burton
  • Reserve – Stefano Utoikamanu

*Calf strain sustained during training over the weekend. This is a significant blow for NSW.

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

For the 2023 series, Game 1 will be held in Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, Game 2 in Brisbane at The Cauldron (Lang Park) on Wednesday, 21 June and Game 3 in Sydney at Stadium Australia on Wednesday, 12 July. For international readers, the games are traditionally held on a Wednesday night. This year, kick-off is at 8:05pm AEST. Buy your tickets today! Tickets start at $49 for adults and $145 for families. Apart from the match, tickets include live performances & interactive experiences. Corporate hospitality packages are also available.

We’re looking forward to getting down to Adelaide – the boys have good memories here from 2020. There’s nothing like the intensity of an Origin battle, no matter where we’re playing – and the fans have a big part in that. I hope we’ll see plenty of Maroon around the stadium this year.

Johnathan Thurston, QLD Assistant Coach
The Living End

Game 1 pre-match entertainment will be a Welcome To Country, a light show & a performance from 6-time Australian Recording Industry Award-winning rock band, The Living End, best known for hits including Prisoner of Society and White Noise, while half-time entertainment for all games will be Little Origin matches – a dream chance for Year 5 and Year 6 students to take to the field representing their schools in front of their home audience!

Holy smokes this is an awesome thing, we’re pumped to be playing State of Origin! Turn up your TV folks because footy and rock’n’roll music is a mighty pairing. We can’t wait!

Chris Cheney, ‘The Living End’ lead singer & guitarist

Ampol State of Origin 2023 – Game 1 is supported by the South Australian (SA) Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission:

When these two teams went into battle at Adelaide Oval in 2020, it was an absolute cracker of a game, with the Maroons just sneaking home in front of more than 25,000 fans, so we are very excited for the rematch.

Adelaide Oval and South Australia always puts on a great show & it will be terrific to welcome interstate fans to our city & have thousands of people exploring our restaurants, pubs and laneway bars & filling hotel rooms.

South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas

Hosting State of Origin Game One in May will be a true highlight amongst the world-class events we’ve brought to South Australia this year. With fans travelling in their tens of thousands from within and outside the state, the game will be worth an estimated $15 million our hotels, restaurants and cafes. We can’t wait to welcome Blues and Maroons fans back to Adelaide.

South Australian Minister For Tourism, Zoe Bettison MP
Paul McGregor, Paul Sironen, Petero Civoniceva & Johnathan Thurston with Steeden rugby league balls & the State Of Origin Shield in Victoria Square, Adelaide.

The 2023 series was launched in late-March in Adelaide’s Victoria Square with over 40 local students from East Torrens Primary School as well as the above-mentioned names (except the SA Premier) but the dates & venues are actually announced in early November the year prior while tickets went on sale in mid-February. Any rule changes are announced in mid-January, which for 2023, there were none but in mid-March, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced that following a diagnosed concussion, whether in training or match, a mandatory 11-day stand-down period for that player will be implemented.

There is no greater priority for us than player safety. It’s front and centre of everything we do.

Our current head injury protocols are exceptionally strong. Following a review of the data and the expert advice we have received, the Commission have enhanced these protocols even further by providing a mandatory 11 day stand down period following a diagnosed concussion.

ARLC Chairman, Peter V’landys AM

Also, in mid-December 2022, South Korean automobile manufacturer, Kia, was announced as a sponsor of State Of Origin until and including 2025 while in late-February 2023, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was announced as a sponsor of State Of Origin until and including 2027. In early March 2023, Chemist Warehouse was announced as a sponsor of State Of Origin until late 2025 and in mid-March 2023, Hisense Australia was announced as a major sponsor of State Of Origin until 2025.

On 23rd May, they announced a ‘One Pass At A Time’ partnership initiative with the Gotcha4Life Foundation that will raise awareness & funds to host mental fitness workshops in Australian grassroots rugby league clubs. You can do this by purchasing a Virtual One Pass for $20, $40 or $80 at onepass.gotcha4life.org & sharing your story on social media using #virtualonepass, or by donating at any 2023 Ampol State of Origin game. 

We all go through difficult times in our lives. No matter how tough you are, negative thoughts can take over. It’s not a weakness to reach out but rather a strength.

The Gotcha4Life program provides the pathways to remove this stigma. As a game we want to provide our reach and support to assist them in their fight to normalise mental health issues.

The One Pass At A Time initiative is more than just a fundraising campaign, it’s about fostering conversation, connection and making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. We encourage everyone involved in our great game to support it.

Peter V’landys AM, Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission

Providing access to simple and practical tools and resources to have deeper conversations to get through challenging times can help change a life, just as one pass can change a footy game.

The team at Gotcha4Life deliver programs in schools, sports clubs and the community, which provide tools to have more meaningful conversations, so we all feel comfortable to speak up and know what questions to ask beyond the banter.

Gus Worland, Gotcha4Life Foundation Founder

I’ve been an Ambassador for Gotcha4Life for a few years now and in that time Gus and the team have created a positive space for players to open up. It’s really important to make those conversations part of everyday life, especially for professional athletes where there’s still a lot of stigma around being open with your emotions.

New South Wales Captain, James Tedesco
Daly Cheery-Evans & James Tedesco

During Origin games, we do everything we can to beat the other team, but the overarching message is that it’s just a game and there’s a bigger fight at hand, which is mental fitness.

There’s still a stigma surrounding vulnerability, and showing emotion is a sign of weakness. This partnership is working to change that and hopefully destroy these stigmas in the process. Physical fitness is still a huge part of my preparation for games, but my mental fitness has become just as important because I know that without a clear head, without having balance in my life, I can’t go out and perform to the best of my ability.

Daly Cherry-Evans, QLD Captain & Gotcha4Life Ambassador

The Rationale

Why this event you ask?

Since the Sydney Harbour Bridge was first lit up for Vivid Sydney in 2013, the Bridge has been lit up blue to encourage NSW & to celebrate their victories, notably in 2014 when they finally won after an 8-year losing streak:

But in more recent years, something new had started,,,

‘The Bet’

Before and during recent State Of Origin series, the Premiers of NSW & QLD decided to wager the illuminating colours of their respective iconic bridges – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Brisbane’s Story Bridge – if they lost that year’s State Of Origin series. So, if NSW lost, the Sydney Harbour Bridge would be lit maroon and if QLD lost, the Story Bridge would be lit up blue.

This ‘bet’ was wagered numerous times over recent years but none of the Premiers followed through on the bet when their state lost…until 2022, when NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, lit up the Sydney Harbour Bridge maroon for 35 minutes, 2 days after the final match.

Therefore, a standard had been set – the illumination of the opponent’s colours on your state’s respective bridge has to be a minimum of 35 minutes.

Note: The Premiers, so far, have not made ‘The Bet’ for 2023.

History

State Of Origin began in 1982 after 2 years of trials where the final match of an existing interstate rugby league best-of-3 ‘state of residence’ series between NSW & QLD was run under ‘state of origin’ rules. These ‘state of residence’ rules were used since rugby league was 1st played in these states but the matches tended to be one-sided due to NSW being the home of Australian rugby league despite just over half of the players starting their rugby league journeys in QLD. After the 1st ‘state of origin’ trial in 1980, everyone saw a completely different game – fiery, gladiatorial and no longer one-sided. When it became a full series in 1982, it transformed the game in Australia. The annual NSW rugby league season (now called NRL or National Rugby League) was no longer the main rugby league competition in Australia, it was State Of Origin. In fact, it is now the world’s greatest rugby league competition.

State Of Origin has grown year on year with daily attendance now at an average of 64,000 people and a daily Australian television broadcast average audience of 2.6 million people – the 2nd most watched show on Australian television annually!

Apart from the capital cities of NSW & QLD (Sydney & Brisbane), State Of Origin matches have also been held in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide & in 1987, the United States Of America at Long Beach, California, the concluding match in a rare 4-match series.

To acknowledge the fact it is the world’s greatest rugby league series, it’s sporting pride of place in Sydney, it’s association with other Sydney Harbour events, particularly Vivid Sydney, and the ‘The Bet’, we have decided to designate State Of Origin as a flagship Sydney Spectacular.

What if I cannot attend the event?

The Australian broadcast rights are held by the Nine Network and internationally, it is broadcast to various countries (check your local guides to see if a broadcast is held in your country). The lighting of the Sydney Harbour or Story Bridges in the opposing state’s colours if the Bridge’s state loses is not broadcast (at least not yet).

Sydney Spectaculars will be providing coverage of the 2023 series. While we will provide a link to 9Now, the official Australian internet streamer of State Of Origin, on our ‘Watch LIVE’ page for Game 1 of the 2023 series, a direct embed will not possible for any future match unless a change in broadcast rights or contract conditions allows 3rd party embeds of the match broadcasts. In future editions or games, we may provide a list of international broadcasters on the ‘Watch LIVE’ page.

Also, remember it is a best of 3 series so if you miss the 1st or 2nd game, you can still attend the 2nd or final game!

There is also Women’s State Of Origin, which is not considered a ‘flagship’ Sydney Spectacular. Sponsored as well by KFC & Chemist Warehouse, this game started as a single annual match in 2019 – with both teams winning half the games – and will expand to 2 matches this year with Game 1 on Thursday at Western Sydney Stadium & Game 2 on Thursday 22 June at North Queensland Stadium in Townsville. Both games start at 7:45pm AEST. Rules, half-time entertainment & corporate hospitality information in this article applies for this series too. Tickets went on sale in late April at $20 for adults and $40 for families, while juniors under 15 can enter free with a paying adult. The team lists are announced 8 days prior to a game and Game 1’s team list can be found here.

State Of Origin, it’s time for kick off!

NSW ELECTION 2023 LIVE BLOG: CRONULLA MLA, MARK SPEAKMAN, ELECTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER BY COALITION

You can watch live coverage of the results of the NSW Election 2023 by Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation by clicking here or ‘Watch LIVE’ on the menu to the left.

This is a live blog of the NSW Election 2023 results. To see latest news, refresh the webpage. Here is a summary of the major news:

  • At 6pm AEDT, the polls closed.
  • At 6:20pm AEDT, the 1st counted votes came through.
  • At 7:06pm, the 1st results have come through from the NSW Premier’s district, Epping.
  • At 7:20pm, the 1st results for the Legislative Council have come through.
  • At 7:31pm, the NSW Premier is under 50% on 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 7:37pm, ‘we’ are calling the district of Kogarah for Chris Minns.
  • At 7:52pm, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Government with the Coalition unable to form Government.
  • At 7:59pm, the NSW Premier went back just over 50% of 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:16pm, the NSW Premier went back just under 50% of 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:24pm, the NSW Premier was at 48% on 1`st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:42pm, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, says he is “confident” a Labor-led Government will be a majority government.
  • At 8:46pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson reports Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has left his home.
  • At 8:56pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has arrived to make his victory speech.
  • At 9:01pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has called Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election to him.
  • At 9:44pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, is “a couple of minutes” away from arriving to make his concession speech.
  • At 9:48pm, Dominic Perrottet has arrived to make his concession speech.
  • At 9:51pm, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, has begun his concession speech saying Chris Minns will “be a fine 47th Premier” over the next 4 years.
  • At 10:03pm, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced he will stand down as Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party.
  • At 10:28pm, the Labor Leader, Chris Minns, begins his victory speech saying “we will not let them down”.
  • At 10:58pm, ‘we’ called the Legislative Council to form for the next 4 years in favour of the left/progessive side of politics.
  • On Tuesday, the Minns Labor NSW Government was sworn in by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, after 3 Independent Members of Parliament-elect gave Labor confidence and supply, 1 MP-elect more than required at this stage.
  • 1 week after election night, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Minority Government.
  • 2 weeks after election night, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has finished calling Legislative Assembly districts, giving Labor 45 districts, 2 short of a majority.
  • 19 days after election night, the Liberal Party announce they will decide the next Opposition Leader on April 21.
  • 25 days after election night, the NSW Electoral Commission announced the finalised results with Labor winning the most districts in the Legislative Assembly – a minority of 45 districts – while no major party won a majority or clear lead in the Legislative Council. A now-divided crossbench has the balance of power in the Legislative Council.
  • 27 days after election night, the NSW Liberal Parliamentary Party elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the District of Cronulla, Mark Speakman, as their leader and thus, Coalition leader and thus, Opposition Leader.

27 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

CRONULLA MLA, MARK SPEAKMAN, ELECTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER BY COALITION

The NSW Liberal Parliamentary Party elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the District of Cronulla, Mark Speakman, as their leader and thus, Coalition leader and thus, Opposition Leader.

The date of Australia Day will be dependent on Mark Speakman, though it is highly likely he will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties.

Sydney Spectaculars will contact the Opposition Leader for clarification of his policy.

25 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

NSW ELECTORAL COMMISSION CONFIRMS LABOR MINORITY IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, DIVIDED CROSSBENCH HOLDING BALANCE OF POWER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The NSW Electoral Commission finalised the election results today. The Legislative Assembly is as follows:

  • Labor – 45 districts
  • Coalition – 36 districts
  • Greens – 3 districts
  • Independent – 9 districts

This confirms Labor will be a minority government. Therefore, they will definitely need the support of at least 2 members of the Legislative Assembly to implement their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points.

The new half of the Legislative Council is as follows:

  • Labor – 8 seats
  • Coalition – 7 seats
  • Greens – 2 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Liberal Democrats – 1 seat
  • Legalise Cannabis – 1 seat

This makes the whole Legislative Council as follows:

  • Labor – 15 seats
  • Coalition – 15 seats
  • Greens – 4 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat
  • Liberal Democrats – 1 seat
  • Legalise Cannabis – 1 seat

This means the crossbench (all parties except Labor & Coalition) will have the balance of power and will not favour one side of politics as earlier called by us. It is divided exactly 50-50.

19 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

LIBERAL PARTY TO DECIDE NEW OPPOSITION LEADER ON APRIL 21

The Liberal Party have announced they will decide the next Opposition Leader at a party room meeting on April 21. As always when the Coalition is in Opposition and The Liberal Party is larger than The Nationals in the Legislative Assembly, the Opposition Leader will also be the Leader of the Liberal-National Coalition and the Liberal Party. The date of Australia Day will be dependent on the new Opposition Leader, though it is highly likely that whoever is chosen will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties.

2 WEEKS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

ANTONY GREEN FINISHES CALLING LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS, GIVING LABOR 45 DISTRICTS, 2 SHORT OF A MAJORITY

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has finished calling the Legislative Assembly districts giving Labor 45 districts, 2 short of a majority. Therefore, they will now need the support of at least 2 members of the Legislative Assembly to implement their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points. The final make-up of the Legislative Assembly, as called by Antony Green, is:

  • Labor – 45 districts
  • Coalition – 36 districts
  • Greens – 3 districts
  • Independent – 8 districts

1 WEEK AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

ANTONY GREEN CALLS THE ELECTION FOR A LABOR-LED MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called the Labor-led Government will be a minority government, being at least 1 seat short. This means the date of Australia Day will be dependent on the new Opposition Leader, though it is highly likely that whoever is chosen will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties. While Labor is in Government, it cannot be as guaranteed the parliament will support their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points. They will need the support of at least 1 member of the Legislative Assembly.

TUESDAY AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

MINNS LABOR NSW GOVERNMENT SWORN IN AFTER 3 ELECTED INDEPENDENTS GUARANTEE CONFIDENCE & SUPPLY

Last night, 3 elected Independent members of the Legislative Assembly gave Labor confidence and supply for a Government under them. This allowed Chris Minns as well as 4 other elected Labor Members Of Parliament to be sworn in by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, as the new Government in the position of Premier & Ministers respectively. The 3 Independents who gave confidence and supply are:

  • Alex Greenwich (District Of Sydney),
  • Greg Piper (District Of Lake Macquarie) and,
  • Joe McGirr (District Of Wagga Wagga).

Labor only currently needs 2 guarantees of confidence and supply to form a minority Government so they got, at least for now, an extra guarantee in case of a sudden change of mind. At the swearing-in ceremony, the following Labor members of Parliament(-elect) were made Ministers:

  • Prue Car (Deputy Premier & Education Minister) (District Of Londonderry),
  • Daniel Mookrey (Treasurer) (District Of NSW*),
  • Ryan Park (Health Minister) (District Of Keira),
  • Jo Haylen (Transport Minister) (District Of Summer Hill),
  • Penny Sharpe (Environment Minister) (District Of NSW*)

*Means in Legislative Council

11:08PM, ELECTION NIGHT:

LIVE BLOG NOW TO PROVIDE DAILY UPDATES AT 6PM AEDT FROM TUESDAY

We are now wrapping up our coverage of election night in New South Wales. We will now provide daily updates at 6pm from Monday as we wait for confirmation that Labor will get a majority government (Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, only said he was “confident” – not an outright call) but in the main news to arise out of election night results:

  • We have called the Legislative Council for the next 4 years to favour the left/progessive side of politics
  • NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, will stand down as Liberal Party Parliamentary Leader, leaving the Liberal policy of the Australia Day date as on January 26 open, though it very likely will be the same policy under the new Liberal Party Parliamentary Leader as they are a conservative party.
  • Chris Minns won his seat decisively, in the biggest swing to Labor in a district this election.
  • Labor will form the next NSW Government but whether it is a majority or minority government is still to be determined, coming down to 1 seat possibly.

Hope you enjoyed our live coverage of the NSW Election results in what will determine the fate of ticket prices of NSW Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points and the date of Australia Day for the next 4 years. Until 6pm AEDT Tuesday, thank you for following our coverage.

10:58PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CALLED (BY US)

At 36% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Labor – 9 seats
  • Coalition – 7 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 2 seats

We are calling the new half of the Legislative Council for the above parties. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council may now look like:

  • Labor – 16 seats
  • Coalition – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 4 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

While, as expected, no party got a majority in the next 4-term of the Legislative Council, we expect it to be controlled by the left/progressive side of politics, consisting of Labor, The Green & Animal Justice, who make up 22 of the 42 seats or 52% of the next 4-year term of the Legislative Council.

10:28PM:

CHRIS MINNS: “WE WILL NOT LET THEM (NSW) DOWN”

To chants of “Minns!” & “Labor!” repeatedly, the Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has walked up to the podium, after struggling to get through the crowd supporting him, to make his victory speech after a passionate introduction by the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He says to NSW that “we will not let them down” and also thanks the Labor volunteers from his district of Kogarah, who helped him to victory in his marginal district.

10:03PM:

NSW PREMIER WILL STAND DOWN AS LIBERAL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY LEADER

The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced he will stand down as Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party. This leaves open the question of the Liberal Party’s policy of keeping Australia Day on January 26 as Dominic Perrottet personally committed to another 4 years of January 26 as Australia Day. While the new Parliamentary Liberal Party Leader will have to clarify their position on the Australia Day date, it is very likely to be the same as Dominic’s position as their party is a conservative party.

9:51PM:

NSW PREMIER – CHRIS MINNS “TO BE A FINE 47TH PREMIER”

On the verge of tears and looking gutted while his faithful chant “Dom!” repeatedy, the NSW Premier begins his concession speech confirming his call to Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election while saying Chris Minns will “be a fine 47th Premier” over the next 4 years.

9:48PM:

NSW PREMIER ARRIVES TO MAKE CONCESSION SPEECH

NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, has arrived to make his concession speech.

9:44PM:

NSW PREMIER “A COUPLE OF MINUTES” AWAY FROM ARRIVING TO MAKE HIS CONCESSION SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, is “a couple of minutes” away from arriving to make his concession speech.

9:01PM:

NSW PREMIER CALLS OPPOSITION LEADER TO CONCEDE THE ELECTION

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has called Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election to him.

8:56PM:

CHRIS MINNS ARRIVES TO MAKE HIS VICTORY SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has arrived to make his victory speech.

8:46PM:

CHRIS MINNS ON WAY TO VICTORY SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has left his house on the way to make his victory speech.

8:42PM:

ANTONY GREEN SAYS HE IS “CONFIDENT” A LABOR-LED GOVERNMENT WILL BE A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, says he is “confident” a Labor-led Government will be a majority government. However, he says it still depends on the final makeup of seats won as it could come down to 1 seat’s difference.

8:27PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 1% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

8:24PM:

NSW PREMIER LOSING GROUND IN HIS DISTRICT

At 29% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 48% of the current votes counted, dropping 1% on the last update we provided. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Whether the NSW Premier wins his own seat is still up for debate.

8:19PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.6% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

8:16PM:

NSW PREMIER GOES BACK UNDER 50% OF 1ST PREFERENCES IN HIS DISTRICT

At 24% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 49% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Whether the NSW Premier wins his own seat is still up for debate.

8:10PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.4% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 7 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 2 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 14 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 4 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:59PM:

NSW PREMIER BACK OVER 50% OF 1ST PREFERENCES IN HIS DISTRICT

At 14% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 51% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Things have improved for him nevertheless.

7:52PM:

ANTONY GREEN CALLS THE ELECTION FOR A LABOR-LED GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Government and that the Coalition is unable to form Government. However, he has not called whether Labor will form a majority or minority government.

7:45PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.1% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:37PM:

WE’RE CALLING THE DISTRICT OF KOGARAH FOR CHRIS MINNS

At 9% counted, the Opposition Leader and Labor Leader, Chris Minns, is leading on 57% of the vote. We believe he will hold onto the district, which was a marginal one. Last election, he won with 42% of 1st preferences so we are calling the district of Kogarah for Labor & Chris Minns so he he will be leading his party in some form in the next Parliament.

Important to note, Antony Green, Australia’s most famous psephologist has not called the district.

7:31PM:

NSW PREMIER UNDER 50% ON 1ST PREFERENCE IN HIS DISTRICT

At 5% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 48% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, being now under 50% on 1st preferences means he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote).

7:20PM:

FIRST RESULTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE COME THROUGH.

At 0.02% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 9 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 17 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:06PM:

FIRST RESULTS FROM NSW PREMIER’S DISTRICT HAVE COME THROUGH.

At 1% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 57% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet.

6:20PM:

1ST COUNTED VOTES HAVE COME THROUGH

They are from the district of Clarence but as they are early figures, there are not enough to make a final judgement on that seat yet.

6PM:

POLLS HAVE CLOSED

The polls have closed everywhere in New South Wales. First results expected at 6:30pm AEDT.

NSW Election 2023: Premier & Labor Declare, If Elected, No Change Of Australia Day Date Until At Least March 2027

Last Wednesday at 12pm, during an hour-long debate on 7 News for the upcoming New South Wales election, both the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet & Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, declared that if they or Labor respectively are elected during the next 4-year term of NSW Parliament, they will not try to change the date of Australia Day in New South Wales. Whilst this may seem local news to 1 state of Australia, the significance of their statements is important nationally due to the origins and nature of how Australia Day is celebrated.

Transcript:

Amelia Brace (7 News State Political Reporter/Debate Moderator): Mr Minns, would you change the date of Australia Day?

Chris Minns (Opposition Leader, Labor, District Of Kogarah): No, we’re not going to have any plans to do that.

Amelia Brace (7 News State Political Reporter/Debate Moderator): Mr Perrottet?

Dominic Perrottet (Premier, Coalition, Liberal, District Of Epping): No.

End Of Transcript

Above is the transcript of the moment in the debate when the date of Australia Day arose (49:23 mark). The language of both men is telling. Chris Minns, with more confidence, committed his party and for the full 4-year term to the position he stated by acknowledging “we’re not going to have any plans to do that” while Dominic, staying true to instructions given by the moderator, Amelia Brace, less than 23 seconds prior to keep their answers to “a simple yes or no”, gave a definite “no” but his was a more personal committment (due to the segment being about the individual politicians, not party), leaving the possibility open that a change of leadership in the Coalition may also bring a change in policy, though this is unlikely given their party is on the conservative side of politics.

The NSW Election comprises of 2 elections, 1 for the Legislative Assembly, the other for the Legislative Council. There are 42 seats in the Legislative Council, half of which are being contested at this election, where the whole state acts as 1 electoral district and is proportionally represented while the Legislative Assembly has 93 electoral districts, all being contested at the election, each district representing geographically 1/93rd of the New South Wales electorate population. If a political party wins 47 districts of the Legislative Assembly, the New South Wales Governor, Margaret Beazley, will ask the leader of that political party in the Legislative Assembly to form Government.

In the Legislative Council, regardless of the election result (as half of the seats are not up for re-election), the following political parties are already represented:

  • Coalition (8 seats, 5 Liberal, 3 Nationals),
  • Labor (7 seats),
  • Greens (2 seats),
  • One Nation (2 seats),
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers (1 seat) and,
  • Animal Justice (1 seat)

The final composition of the Legislative Assembly & Council will be important in determining nationally what the date of Australia Day is, as despite the date to be considered but some as the ‘national’ day of Australia, it is actually up to the 6 states to decide the date.

In NSW, it comes under the Public Holidays Act 2010, last amended on 13 January 2023 to rename the ‘Queen’s Birthday’ as the ‘King’s Birthday’ following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Federal Parliament only has the power to control the date of public holidays in relation to ‘conciliation and arbitration for the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes extending beyond the limits of any one State’ by Section 51 subsection (35) of the Australian Constitution Of Australia. This is currently dealt with under the Fair Work Act 2009. However, the Federal Parliament already do control the date for the territories under Section 122 of the Australian Constitution (Government of Territories).

While the Federal Parliament can change the date for territories and for workplace relations purposes and while all other states can independently change the date, given it is supposed to be a national day, a nation-wide change is required to keep unity on what is already a very divisive date. NSW holds significant political sway on the date as the date of Australia Day is currently on January 26, which was chosen to commemorate the 1788 landing of the 1st Fleet at Sydney Cove, which is in NSW. It should be pointed out that the raising of the Union Jack & the proclamation of the penal colony of NSW took place nearly 2 weeks later on the 7th of February.

Australia could place control of public holidays under the Australian Parliament if a constitutional referendum was held to alter the constitution to give the Australian Parliament that power though. But until that happens, if it does, if NSW does not want the date changed, it will put pressure on the other states to maintain the status quo. The Federal Parliament does hold nearly equal political influence but as the states control the date, they need the cooperation of NSW and with both the Premier & Labor saying they will not change the date of Australia Day in NSW if elected, this will likely mean the date will not change until March 2027 at the earliest, which is when the next NSW election will be held due to fixed 4-year terms.

However, an early election can be called by the NSW Governor:

  • at any time under established constitutional convention or,
  • if the budget is failed to be passed by the Legislative Assembly or,
  • if a no-confidence vote (with 3 days’ notice) succeeds in the Legislative Assembly & no confidence votes pass in the next 8 days in the Legislative Assembly or,
  • within 2 months of term expiration if the legislated election date is ‘inconvenient’

However, 4 years is a long time and in the past year, the public opinion on the date swayed significantly to ‘change’ with many high-profile businesses such as supermarket giant Woolworths and the Federal Government allowing employees to decide when to take their ‘Australia Day’ public holiday.

This followed the Chief Executive Officer of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, Yuseph Deen, writing in December 2022 to the Commonwealth Employment Minister, Tony Burke & the NSW Employee Relations Minister as well as major Australian Stock Exchange companies to provide employees with this option.

We believe the business community can lead the way and make a stance by allowing employees the choice and the flexibility and instead taking the day off at a mutually agreeable time.

Many businesses, big and small, have already taken the lead. At NSW Aboriginal Land Council, we gave our staff this option last year and we’re calling on you to do the same.

This approach allows businesses to act in a way that reflects their principles, while also sending a statement to all levels of Government. Instead of another year of fuelling hatred and division, we are making the changes that are needed by honouring the world’s oldest living culture.

New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council Chief Executive Officer, Yuseph Deen

With such a significant shift in public opinion in the space of a year and despite it only being an ‘option’ so far, with momentum growing every year to ‘change’, the position of Labor & the Premier, as stated in the debate, is a surprise given the 4-year commitment and the fact that the economics of allowing employees to choose the date they celebrate ‘Australia Day’ will eventually cause an economic mess.

Whilst providing employees the option to work on January 26 provides that date more economic security, the alternate date the employees choose to mark the public holiday, whatever it is (though likely sometime else around that time period) might mean there will eventually be 1 day of the year when there is a lack of employees running essential services and selling essential products at shops despite people needing these things because they are on holiday like fuel & transportation services.

While this may be not a problem currently, the more people choosing a day other than January 26 to celebrate Australia Day, the increasing lack of certainty of when employers or the Government will have employees to operate essential services or sell essential products will eventually cause the political pressure to be overwhelmed if the Parliament is still blind to the obvious public opinion at that late stage, which again makes the Premier & Labor’s decision to commit for 4 years to be very risky, let alone surprising.

If the Parliament still refuses to change the date and employers run out of employees to operate essential services and sell essential items on that 1 unknown day of the year just mentioned, employers may have to make the unethical but Parliament-forced decision to ask some of their employees to take their public holiday on January 26, which could lead to not just the most significant Survival/Invasion Day protests in history but one of the largest industrial relations disputes in Australian history.

The date of Australia Day, January 26, is controversial as it marks the beginning of the loss of full sovereignty and self-determination for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people & nations with the landing of the British Empire’s 1st Fleet at Sydney Cove. More about the date’s controversy can be found at the bottom of our 2019 article speculating the rise of ‘Australia Day In Sydney’ as a ‘Sydney Spectacular’ here.

Recently, people have claimed that 26 January was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 1st day of Australian citizenship, 26 January 1949, rather than the anniversary of the 1st Fleet’s landing at Sydney Cove. However, this view ignores what the Minister For Information & Immigration, Arthur Calwell, said in his 2nd reading speech in 1948 that introduced the Nationality & Citizenship Bill that created Australian citizenship:

When this bill becomes an act, it will be proclaimed on Australia Day, the 26tb of January, 1949.

Minister For Information & Immigration, Arthur Calwell

In 1948 and in the present, ‘Australia Day’ was the national successor to New South Wales’ ‘1st Landing Day’ or ‘Anniversary Day’ public holiday that marked the anniversary of the 1st Fleet’s landing at Sydney Cove. Also, to reinforce the reason Arthur Calwell chose that date, between the 1930’s and 1987, ‘Australia Day’ was celebrated on the Monday during a long weekend near the 26th of January, which in 1949 was on Monday the 24th of January. Arthur Calwell, therefore, particularly wanted it Australian citizenship to begin on the exact anniversary of the 1st Fleet’s landing.

With the controversy and growing divide, debate and historical negationism, the decision of the Premier & Labor is a significant roadblock for the Indigenous people of Australia. In a statement to Sydney Spectaculars, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council said:

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is disappointed neither of the major political parties has committed during the NSW State election campaign to changing the date of Australia Day.

NSWALC strongly believes that momentum will continue to build to change the date of Australia Day, and we will continue to advocate for Australia Day to be held on a different date than January 26.

NSWALC believes the business community can show similar leadership and courage by taking a stand on this important issue.

New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council

Every year we are sick of the divisive debate around celebrating Australia Day on January 26 – the day that represents the invasion and dispossession of Aboriginal lands, and the beginning of colonisation.

We know a growing number of Australians are also uncomfortable with celebrating Australia Day on January 26 and want a different day celebrated to reflect our inclusive society.

Councillor Danny Chapman, New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council Chair

In late 2023, in what will be the 40th year of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act, a federal referendum will also be held on whether to both recognise Indigenous people in the Australian Constitution & to add a First Nations Voice.

The NSW Election is already being contested on other matters relating to Sydney Spectaculars. Labor announced just before New Year’s Eve last year that, if elected, they will make all government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points free of charge. The Premier responded to Labor’s announcement by saying it’s “simply embarrassing” and implied he will maintain the status quo. You can read more about that here.

The New South Wales Election is held on Saturday the 25th of March between 8am & 6pm. Pre-polls open tomorrow (Saturday the 18th of March) at 9am.

‘Sydney Spectaculars’ will be covering live the NSW State Election from 6pm AEDT, 25 March in rare coverage of a non-‘Sydney Spectacular’ event.

Natural Ideas This Vivid Sydney 2023

Vivid Ideas 2023 will see the return of the Up Late series, the 2nd relocation of the historically main event, the Vivid Ideas Exchange, as well as the 2023 headline event: LIFE & MARS: The Future Of Human by renowed British author, Jeanette Winterson (pictured above).

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The Up Late series that began last year returns in 2023 but at less venues with less events, roughly half the size. In 2022, 4 venues were included:

  • The Museum Of Contemporary Art (x 1 event),
  • The Australian National Maritime Museum (x 1 event),
  • Australian Museum (x 5 events) and,
  • Powerhouse Museum (x 3 events).

Only the latter two, the Australian Museum and the Powerhouse Museum are returning for 2023 with 2 & 3 events respectively.

The Australian Museum will host:

The Powerhouse Museum will host:

All the above events are held for 4 hours from 5pm (the 90-minute Australian Museum talks begin at 6:30pm). With the exception of Natural Wonder (whose entry price cannot yet be confirmed) all events are free with Australian Museum events also requiring registration (though seating is limited on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis)

Paradise Fair is about artist Yuki Kihara’s exhibition, Paradise Camp, while Natural Wonder is about how design can be inspired by nature. Similarly, Pearls Of Wisdom is about how food has shaped the Australian identity and cuisine.

Over at the Australian Museum, What Can We Learn From Nature? features ecologist, Tim Low, Vivid Light 2022 artist, Leila Jeffreys and spirtual teacher, David Gandleman discuss how the relationship between humans and the wider natural world can be mutually beneficial if you put your mind to it. If you are surprised by what you learn at that event, you’ll be surprised to hear Australian First Nations people have doing that for millennia so check out their perspective at Connection To Country. That’s the Up Late series.

In 2023, the historically main event of Vivid Ideas, the Vivid Ideas Exchange, will relocate to the Telstra Customer Insights Centre at 400 George Street. After being at the Museum Of Contemporary Act since inception, the Exchange relocated to the University Of Technology Sydney in 2022 and has relocated again in 2023 & has shrunk to a 3rd of its size since last year, now hosting 20 sessions. The 2023 events are below:

The above events’ prices vary between events but most are no more than $30. Some free events require registration.

The headline event, though, of Vivid Ideas 2023 is LIFE & MARS: The Future Of Human. Held by renowed British author, Jeanette Winterson, in this event, through humour, she will reflect on philosophical questions to help us understand nature. This event will be held at Sydney Town Hall for one-night only on Saturday 3 June for 75 minutes at 4pm (Doors open at 3:15pm) & costs $58-$68.

The event will begin with an address by Jeanette Winterson before an interview is conducted with her by writer-broadcaster, Richard Fidler.

That’s Vivid Ideas 2023 – an event to question nature by exploring new ideas of nature.

Vivid Ideas 2023 challenges our ‘natural’ ways of thinking, whether by shining a spotlight on underrepresented communities, offering cultural counterpoints to the mainstream, or creating one-of-a-kind immersive experiences.

Bringing together the world’s brightest minds and creative leaders, Vivid Ideas will ask difficult questions, feature talks from global storytellers and creative minds and allow audiences to challenge the status quo, explore human nature and ask: what can we learn from nature? Join us at Vivid Ideas and be part of the conversation.

Vivid Ideas Curator, Tory Loudon

Vivid Sydney 2023 Cooks Up Biggest Expansion Ever…Naturally

Vivid Sydney today launched its 2023 edition, to be held between Friday May 26 and Saturday 17 June, with a theme of Naturally (inspired by mother nature with reflection after the COVID-19 pandemic started) and the biggest expansion of its event since its inaugural edition in 2009 with the addition of a Food pillar.

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For $99 an hour at the museum & lookout atop the south-eastern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, renowned chef, Luke Mangan, will serve a cheese box with Riverina-produced Shiraz (in a small, reusable, sealed cup to protect the pylon) as you take in the spectacular views of Vivid Light around Circular Quay accompanied by disc jockeys’ mixes in Light Up Your Senses At The Pylon. The lookout and museum has never opened during Vivid Light until now. This adults-only Food experience will only operate between Thursday and Sunday each night during Vivid between 5:45pm & 9:45pm and has a very limited capacity of 50 people per hour so book your tickets as soon as possible! But note, the climb to the lookout and museum consists of 200 steps & has no lift.

While over at Barangaroo’s The Cutaway will be Fire Kitchen – a barbie like no other that sees the best of Sydney dining meet the world’s best pit barbequers. Each night, watch them take to the coals while you enjoy the finished exclusive dishes that have the best of what Sydney has to offer added. There are also live demonstrations.

Returning in 2023 is the sell-out test-run of Vivid Food: The Dinner. Held on June 3 at 6:30pm in The Ivy Ballroom, this 4-hour adults-only dinner is hosted by Eddie Perfect, prepared by Ben Greeno & Danielle Alvarez and features musical performances by Montaigne, Julian Belbachir, Eddie Perfect and more! Themed around the concept of ‘rewilding’, The Dinner will feature New South Wales’ seasonal produce along with paired wines. Tickets are on sale until 4:30pm 1 June or until sold out & a minimum of 2 seats have to be purchased with a maximum of a table of 10 with each seat at a table costing about $295.

 Chefs Ben Greeno and Danielle Alvarez
Photograph: Vivid Sydney

Also new is The Residence, where a currently secret iconic Sydney diner along the Light Walk will host an also currently secret world famous chef for 2 weeks. There is also the new but similar Chef Series. The main differences are it is at multiple restaurants & that international chefs are paired with a Sydney chef to create a menu, unique each night of Vivid, that represents themselves & the relationship between their 2 countries.

Also taking over Sydney venues is The House of Naturalia & HERE NOW. Co-curated by drinks journalist and P&V Wine and Liquor Merchants co-founder Mike Bennie and acclaimed farmer and restaurateur Palisa Anderson, the latter is an adults-only 6-hour party beginning at 3pm at Macquarie Place Park, which has masterclasses that mix food & wine with music & art. Tickets cost $57 and include 1 drink token for basement bar, Mary’s Underground. The former is at Barangaroo House and will contain at Rekodo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar, a custom menu (see below) by head chef, Tara Chua, as well as disc jockeys Frank Booker, Jnett & Queen Bee, while at the Smoke Rooftop & House Bar, a custom sustainable cocktail menu will be the star. Reservations required.

The House Of Naturalia: Rekodo Resturant & Vinyl Bar Custom Menu

  • PACIFIC OYSTERS (persimmon vinaigrette) 
  • DUCK SPRING ROLLS (mandarin sweet + sour)
  • PASSIONFRUIT (yuzu mousse + shiso)
Barangaroo House
Photograph: Vivid Sydney

Lastly for 5 hours after 5pm on June 16 will see the return of the Carriageworks Night Market. Curated by Australia’s leading sustainable chef, Matt Stone, the Market will feature food demonstrations. Tickets, costing about $20 go on pre-sale at 9am Wednesday 15 March. If you want to stay at Ace Hotel Sydney and TFE Hotels, use the codewords ‘CCWORKS’ and ‘TH15555894’ respectively to get a 15% room rate discount during Vivid Sydney.

Carriageworks Night Market
Photograph: Vivid Sydney

All Vivid Food events will also contain a mixture of ‘light, music & ideas’ to round out the Vivid Sydney experience and so you do not miss out on the rest of what Vivid has to offer! The 2023 charity partner of Vivid Sydney is World Wildlife Fund.

Vivid Sydney is the original festival of light, art and culture. 2023 is the 13th time it has been staged and so it has naturally evolved over time to ensure that it stays relevant to the creative industries and what that means to people today.

We are truly proud of this year’s program. We have raised the bar on the size and scale of the events and activated new parts of the city. Our line-up features more diverse talent across more industries.

There are world-firsts and festival-firsts, and both free and ticketed events to make the festival accessible to everyone. Audiences should be prepared to be blown away by the calibre of talent and a program that has been inspired by the beauty and diversity of nature.

Vivid Sydney’s 2023 program is a celebration of authenticity, an invitation to connect, and a chance to create. You do not want to miss Vivid Sydney 2023.

Vivid Sydney Director, Gill Minervini

Each year visitors and Sydneysiders immerse themselves in the program and enjoy the incredible activations of the talented creatives who make the festival so special.

Last year Sydney welcomed a record 2.58 million attendees who injected $119 million into the NSW visitor economy across the festival footprint. It is our expectation that, with its exciting new program and more international travellers returning to our shores, Vivid Sydney 2023 will elevate the experience for our visitors and deliver even more visitor expenditure to the NSW economy.

Destination New South Wales Chief Executive Officer, Steve Cox

Sydney Opera House Welcomes In Year Of The Rabbit & Cat With 10th Anniversary Illumination

Last night from 8:40pm, the Sydney Opera House was lit up red in its annual traditional illumination to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Red is chosen as it is regarded as a symbol of good fortune and luck.

First lit up in red in February 2013 for Chinese New Year, the illumination’s presence saw the City Of Sydney’s Chinese New Year celebration, which had started in 1996, expand, peaking in 2017 with the included additions of a Sydney Harbour Bridge red (pink as well in 2019) illumination amongst other city landmarks and a fireworks display in Circular Quay to coincide with the beginning of the illuminations. The event was renamed Sydney Lunar Festival in 2019, to take into account non-Chinese celebrations of Lunar New Year & the expansion was suddenly dropped in 2020 and is now held at just below its pre-2013 scale, which it has been ever since. However, the Sydney Opera House red illumination, which is independent of the City Of Sydney event, remains. Lunar New Year in Sydney, nevertheless, was and still is the biggest celebration of the event outside of Asia – a feat that should not be ignored.

Lunar New Year last 15 days from the 1st new moon of the lunar calendar until the 2nd next full moon. The 2023 Lunar New Year celebration began on Sunday the 22nd of January and will end on Monday the 6th of February.

The NSW Government has been joining communities across the state to celebrate this significant cultural event for more than a decade.

While Lunar New Year is significant to many across the state, it also represents much of what we all stand & hope for in a new year, especially new beginnings.

To everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, I wish you all prosperity, good health and fortune for the year ahead.

Dominic Perrottet, Premier Of NSW

You will be hard-pressed to find such rich diversity proudly championed and celebrated like it is in NSW.

It is about showing communities and the world that we welcome everyone and value our diversity.

I wish everyone a prosperous and happy Year of the Rabbit & for those from a Vietnamese background, a very happy Year of the Cat.

Mark Coure, Minister For Multiculturalism