Category: ‘Extraordinary’ Sydney Spectaculars

Vale Ignatius Jones

Ignatius Jones AM, the creative director of Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE) between 1996 and 2001 & Vivid Sydney between 2011 and 2019, has died suddenly aged 67, following a short illness.

He was also the creative director of the G’Day Opening Ceremony segment & the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular of The Games Of The XXVIIth Olympiad: Sydney 2000.

The iconic artistic direction he did for the Olympics & the Millennium propelled Sydney’s events into global popular culture.

In 2001, he was also artistic director of the Centenary Of Federation celebrations, which had a parade throughout Sydney as its’ centrepiece.

Between 2011 & 2015, he also artistic director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

In 2017, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Australian Event Awards, which was followed a year later with him becoming a full member of the Order Of Australia, General Division, for his “significant service to entertainment”, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Whilst he made most of his event achievements in Sydney, he also worked internationally:

  • Ceremonies of XXIst Olympic Winter Games: Vancouver 2010
  • Opening Ceremony of Expo 2010 Shanghai China
  • Ceremonies of XV Asiad: Doha 2006
  • Independence Of East Timor ceremony
  • Dolly Parton’s productions in the United States Of America

Before his iconic career in events, he was a musician, being a singer with the shock rock band Jimmy & The Boys, which introduced shock theatrics to Australia, before forming a swing band, Pardon Me Boys, with his sister, Monica Trapaga. His sister also performed the John Paul Young classic, Love Is In The Air, at the Millennium celebrations as well as doing sets at the Sydney NYE segments: 4 Kids (1997-2001), Carnaval (1999-2001) & Hot Jazz In The City (2001).

Ignatius Jones retired in 2022 & passed away in his birth country, the Philippines, in Iloilo City on May 7 at 9:30pm Sydney time.

He will be remembered for an Eternity.

Below the below quote, you can find highlights from his 3 most iconic Sydney events: the Midnight Fireworks of Sydney NYE1999: Sydney’s Millennium, the G’Day Opening Ceremony segment & the Closing Night Harbour Spectacular of The Games Of The XXVIIth Olympiad: Sydney 2000 & Vivid Sydney 2019.

We are absolutely devastated to announce the passing of my brother, Juan Ignacio Trapaga, the formidable Ignatius Jones.

We love you.

Monica Trapaga, sister of Ignatius Jones

Collateral Damage: Rugby World Cups 2027-29 No Longer Considered An ‘Extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular

As of 22nd August 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is no longer considering the Rugby World Cups 2027-29 as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular.

The reasoning behind this judgement 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. A drone show is the modern equivalent of the Bridge Effect.
  3. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 had an event attendance of 79,000 per event day.
  4. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 was removed as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular on 5th April 2023. The reasons, at the time, are detailed here.
  5. 19 days into FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, 13 Sydney landmarks, including the western sails of the Sydney Opera House, were lit up in gold. In all but one case, green was also added. These illuminations were done on the night of a Round Of 16, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, 3rd Place Playoff or Final match involving the Matildas. However, this was insufficient for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 to be readded as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular. The reasons are detailed here.
  6. No Sydney Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display or drone show featured during the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023.
  7. In 2019, World Rugby decided that the words ‘Rugby World Cup’ would now refer to both the men’s and women’s editions.
  8. The Rugby World Cup – Australia 2003 (men’s edition) had an event attendance of 66,000 per event day.
  9. The Rugby World Cup – Japan 2019 (men’s edition) had an event attendance of 65,000 per event day.
  10. The Rugby World Cup – New Zealand 2021 (women’s edition held in 2022) had an event attendance of 15,000 per event day.
  11. Sydney is the likely host city of the Opening Match & Final of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29.
  12. As the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2003, Japan 2019 & New Zealand 2021 all had attendances lower than the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, this means no more than 13 Sydney landmarks, particularly the western sails of the Sydney Opera House, should be lit up in gold during the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29. In all but one case, green is added as well. This would happen only IF the Wallabies or the Wallaroos make it to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Final, 3rd Place Playoff or Final of those respective future tournaments. Also, no Sydney Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display or drone show should now be expected during those tournaments.

As these illuminations were insufficient to be considered an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is of the opinion that the same should apply to the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29, which is, as stated above, now very likely to be an event of less attendance & importance as the just-concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023.

Therefore, as of 22nd August 2023, Sydney Spectaculars has decided to downgrade the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 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 another major blow for Sydney’s event industry, culture & night-time economy. As, like with the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, there is a very likely lack of a major Sydney Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display & drone show (which would replace the Bridge Effect), it will be another notable absence in the history of major events in Sydney, reducing the significance or chance of hosting future mega events like the men’s FIFA World Cup.

If Sydney Spectaculars finds out that the either of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 will be treated like the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2003 (except with a drone show instead of a Bridge Effect), we will immediately resume coverage of the event but at this stage, it looks very unlikely. There is still every chance for a projection on the Sydney Opera House but. as stated above, this is insufficient. A stand-alone drone show is possible but such a drone show could have been held anywhere in the world – it just would be themed to Australia.

To bring Sydney’s mega event status back to where it belongs, Sydney Spectaculars will also lobby to World Rugby, the New South Wales (NSW) Government & Rugby Australia until those future tournaments are held to put on a Sydney Opera House/Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display & drone show during the Capping and Opening Ceremonies & after the Final as well as tournament-long projection/light shows on the Sydney Opera House/Harbour Bridge during those future tournaments after the failure to do so by the NSW Government, Football Australia & FIFA during the recently-concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023.

We will review this decision after the Rugby World Cup – France 2023 (men’s edition), which begins today, as well as the Rugby World Cup – England 2025 (women’s edition).

We wish the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 every success.

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.

Sydney Opera House Lights Up For Wallabies

The Sydney Opera House was lit up in green & gold tonight ahead of the Rugby World Cup Final between Australia & New Zealand in London.

New South Wales (NSW) Government’s Minister For Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport, Stuart Ayres, said the whole of NSW was behind the Wallabies as they attempt to claim the World Cup for the 1st time since 1999.

“Sydney & NSW are turning up our support for the Wallabies as we light up the iconic Sydney Opera House to cheer the team on. I’ll be setting the alarm for Sunday morning & wish the team the very best of luck,” Mr Ayres said.

“NSW is the home of Australian rugby & it’s fitting that one of our most iconic buildings is dressed up to celebrate the Wallabies.”

“NSW is Australia’s sporting capital, playing host to events including the Cricket World Cup, Asian Cup football, Netball World Cup, Bledisloe Cup & in 2013, the tour by the British and Irish Lions.”

“From 6-7 February next year, Sydney will also host the Sydney Sevens at Allianz Stadium, with fast-paced sevens rugby on display in the summer sunshine” he said.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said that NSW will continue to support major rugby events in 2016.

“In addition to the Sydney Sevens, Sydney will also be hosting the Bledisloe Cup for another year at ANZ Stadium. It will be a fantastic occasion, a World Cup Final replay & like all Aussies, I can’t wait to see the Wallabies emerge victorious as we all support them this weekend at Twickenham” Ms Chipchase said.

The Rugby World Cup Final between Australia & New Zealand will kick-off at 3am on the morning of Sunday 1 November. The Sydney Opera House will be lit from 8pm-12am on Friday & Saturday night.

Tickets to the Sydney Sevens are still available & more information can be found at www.sydneysevens.com.au.

Media Release: Destination NSW

Sydney Opera House Going Green & Gold For Rugby World Cup Final

Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House will turn green & gold in support of the Wallabies as they prepare to face the ultimate test against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup Final in England early on Sunday morning.

Deputy Premier Of New South Wales (NSW), Troy Grant, and Minister For Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport, Stuart Ayres, made the announcement on the Sydney Opera House steps today flanked by injured Wallabies World Cup lock Will Skelton, FOX SPORTS presenter Matt Shirvington & a group of keen young Wallabies fans.

The Sydney Opera House will turn Green and Gold in support of the Wallabies. Photo: Andrew Frazer
The Sydney Opera House will turn Green and Gold in support of the Wallabies. Photo: Andrew Frazer

From 8pm AEDT tomorrow (Friday 30 October), the sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated in the green & gold colours of the Wallabies in a spectacular showing of support for the team ahead of its date with destiny.

The famous sails will be wrapped in green & gold again on Saturday night until midnight, prior to kick off in the match at 3am AEDT on Sunday morning (1 November).

Minister For Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport, Stuart Ayres, said: “Sydney is the home of rugby in Australia & what better way to show our support than lighting up our iconic Sydney Opera House.”

“I encourage everyone across NSW & Australia to set your alarms, put out your best green and gold & cheer home our mighty Wallabies!”

Deputy Premier & Minister For Arts, Troy Grant, said it is only fitting Australia’s most iconic building sports the green & gold ahead of an iconic event.

“Our Wallabies will know when they see the Opera House’s sails light up that everyone back home will be cheering hard & loud” Mr Grant said.

“From Broken Hill to the Riverina & up north to the Tweed, every fan across NSW & Australia is right behind our boys – let’s show the Kiwis what we’re made of.”

Will Skelton, the giant 140kg lock who was ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup after injuring his shoulder during the Wallabies 65-3 victory over Uruguay early in the tournament, said the players had felt the support from Aussie fans from the other side of the globe.

“The boys are really aware of the support back here at home & have enjoyed a lot of support over in England as well. Having such incredible support from the whole country has really lifted the team & I know the boys really want to make Australia proud when they run out on Sunday” said Skelton.

The Rugby World Cup 2015 Final between the Wallabies & New Zealand will be screened live in Australia on FOX SPORTS, 9 & GEM.

Media Release: Australian Rugby