2014 – Sydney Spectaculars

Sydney Lights Up The World

A brilliant light bulb illuminated Sydney Harbour last night as huge crowds gathered around the foreshore to welcome in 2015, while millions more watched around the world.

Celebrating the International Year of Light, the 12-storey-high Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect was the centrepiece of the Midnight Fireworks display – one of the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks displays in the world.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' - 9pm Family Fireworks Photograph: Jennifer Polixenni Brankin - First Light Photography — Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ – 9pm Family Fireworks
Photograph: Jennifer Polixenni Brankin – First Light Photography

The light bulb design, which remained top-secret until midnight, followed an animated image of the New Holland Seahorse, which appeared on the Bridge during the 9PM Family Fireworks.

The New Holland Seahorse – commonly known as the Sydney Seahorse – is native to Sydney Harbour.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' - 'New Holland Seahorse' Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect Photograph: David Clare - First Light Photography — Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ – ‘New Holland Seahorse’ Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect
Photograph: David Clare – First Light Photography

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Sydney’s world-famous fireworks displays provided the perfect welcome to the New Year.

“Sydney is known as the New Year’s Eve Capital of the World and last night’s celebrations were no exception,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Spectacular images from the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays have already been shared around the world – on television, online and via social media – shining a spotlight on our magnificent harbour and inspiring audiences worldwide to visit Sydney.”

“Our New Year’s Eve celebrations have allowed us to showcase our fantastic city to the rest of the world, reinforcing that Sydney is and always will be a welcoming, inclusive, harmonious and multicultural community.”

Sydney NYE2014 - 'Inspire' Producer Aneurin Coffey, Sydney NYE2014 - 'Inspire' Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson and Sydney NYE2014 - 'Inspire' Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti discussing fireworks at White Bay. Photograph: City Of Sydney — Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’ Producer Aneurin Coffey, Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’ Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson and Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’ Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti discussing fireworks at White Bay.
Photograph: City Of Sydney

Master pyrotechnician Fortunato Foti of Foti International Fireworks was responsible for the fireworks displays for the 14th consecutive year.

The displays used approximately 7 tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' - Midnight Fireworks Photograph: Karl Bayer - First Light Photography — Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ – Midnight Fireworks
Photograph: Karl Bayer – First Light Photography

The Lord Mayor praised the City of Sydney crews who worked throughout the night to ensure Sydney was sparkling this morning.

“With huge crowds gathering around the harbour foreshore and at vantage points across Sydney, the clean-up of New Year’s Eve is an enormous task,” the Lord Mayor said.

“A fantastic team of 350 City staff worked tirelessly throughout the night, collecting between 48-50 tonnes of waste.”

“Within hours, our staff had transformed the City’s streets and parks, clearing truckloads of rubbish to reveal a pristine setting in time for sunrise.”

The $290,000 clean-up operation involved the use of 60 trucks, sweepers and compactors and 600 mobile garbage bins to support the City’s 720 street litter bins, which were filled with plastic bottles, food containers and food scraps.

90% of the waste collected will be recycled courtesy of SITA Australia.

Crowds at the Campbell's Cove Vantage Point for Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' Photograph: Yie Sandison - First Light Photography — Crowds at the Campbell’s Cove Vantage Point for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’
Photograph: Yie Sandison – First Light Photography

The Lord Mayor also thanked everyone who made the event possible, including the City’s Sydney New Year’s Eve team and Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson.

“After more than 15 months of planning, it was wonderful to see Sydney at its best last night, as the 1st major global city in the world to ring in 2015,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Thank you to everyone who worked throughout the year – and all those who dedicated their time last night – to ensure the celebrations ran smoothly.”

“Sydneysiders have gone through a period of trauma and mourning over the past weeks, and last night we all spared a thought for the families of the Martin Place siege victims.”

Crowds at the West Circular Quay Vantage Point for Sydney New Year's Eve 2014 - 'Inspire' Photograph: Yie Sandison - First Light Photography — Crowds at the West Circular Quay Vantage Point for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’
Photograph: Yie Sandison – First Light Photography

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ acknowledges the support of Leadership Partner – Telstra, Charity Partner – Engineers Without Borders Australia & NSW Government agencies and landholders including the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Sydney Opera House Trust.

Sydney Counts Down To An Inspirational 2015

Spectacular aerial footage from inside tonight’s Midnight Fireworks display will be captured by drones and broadcast live for the 1st time anywhere in the world.

The drones will fly up to 1,000 feet above Sydney Harbour, recording high-resolution footage of the fireworks as they launch from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and barges on the water.

Live footage from 2 drones will feature in the ABC’s TV broadcast and Sydney NYE Telstra YouTube Show.

A 3rd specially-built drone equipped with six cameras will capture amazing 360-degree views of the fireworks that audiences can view after the event via the Sydney NYE Telstra App.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the celebrations to welcome in 2015 were shaping up to be Sydney’s best yet.

“Our Sydney New Year’s Eve team and pyrotechnic experts are busy putting the finishing touches on tonight’s displays, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We’re expecting large crowds tonight, so if you’re coming into the city, make sure you arrive early to secure a good spot and download the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ app to receive live updates about the event.”

“If you’re staying at home, tune in to our fantastic broadcasts, which will include never-before-seen drone footage of the fireworks – giving you the chance to be part of the event without having to leave the house.”

“Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, there’s no doubt that Sydney will be at its best tonight as we countdown to the dawning of the New Year.”

The 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays will feature 7 tonnes of fireworks, including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and more than 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects.

More than 1.6 million people are expected to line the harbour foreshore to view the displays, which are recognised as one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the world.

The centrepiece of tonight’s displays will be the Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect – the top-secret, 12 storey high LED design that will be revealed at midnight.

The Bridge Effect ties into this year’s Sydney New Year’s Eve theme, Inspire. After debuting tonight, it will continue to shine brightly above the harbour from 8pm to midnight on Thursday and Friday night.

Pre-Show Entertainment will begin at 6pm when former fighter pilot Matt Hall performs daring aerial displays above the harbour. At 7pm, tug boats will blast tonnes of water into the sky from Millers Point to Fort Denison and back again.

Following the 9PM Family Fireworks, the Harbour of Light Parade will see more than 50 illuminated boats carry over 8,000 people on a majestic passage around Sydney Harbour.

A 3rd mini-fireworks display, known as the ‘Inspire moment’, will also feature at 10:40pm to keep crowds entertained during the countdown to midnight.

Audiences around the harbour and at home are being encouraged to become part of the celebration by using the hashtag #SydNYE to tweet messages about how Sydney will inspire them in the New Year.

The tweets will appear live on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons throughout the night, and will be seen by millions of people across Australia and more than a billion worldwide.

For up-to-the-minute information on tonight’s celebrations, follow the hashtag #SydNYE and @cityofsydney on Twitter.

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014: ‘Inspire’ – Program Of Events

6pm & 8pm	Air Displays above Sydney Harbour Flying ace Matt Hall performs flyovers with aerial displays
7pm	Fire Tug Water Display on Sydney Harbour Tug boats blast tonnes of water into the sky from Millers Point to Fort Denison and back again.
8:30pm	Pylon Projections on the eastern side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Projections will come to life on the pylon’s surfaces after sunset and huge images will be projected throughout the night.
8:40pm	Acknowledgement of Country Ceremony on Sydney Harbour A ceremony that reflects a respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and honours the relationship between traditional custodians and the land.
8:45pm	Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect The Sydney Harbour Bridge lights up in a design that features over 13 kilometres of spectacular LED rope lighting.
9pm	9PM Family Fireworks display An 8-minute fireworks display at a family-friendly time, complete with a soundtrack appealing to young children.
9:15pm	Harbour of Light Parade® Features more than 50 illuminated boats that carry over 8,000 people on a majestic passage within and around Sydney Harbour.
10:40pm	*The Inspire* Moment** An inspirational mini-fireworks display to keep crowds entertained during the countdown to midnight.
Midnight	Midnight Fireworks Display A show-stopping grand finale display on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, barges along the harbour and city buildings.

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com

Fireworks Soundtracks To ‘Inspire’ This Sydney New Year’s Eve

One of Australia’s most popular DJ’s, Nina Las Vegas, is serving as musical director for the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ fireworks displays.

Nina, who currently hosts triple j’s Mix Up Exclusives, has created 2 spectacular soundtracks that will be synchronised to the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays.

The 9pm Family Fireworks soundtrack will feature a family-friendly mix of pop songs and tracks from recent children’s films, while the Midnight Fireworks display includes some of Nina’s favourite dance tunes from the past year, along with pop hits and well-known rock anthems.

The soundtracks will be broadcast live on 104.1 2DayFM at 9pm and Midnight.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Sydney New Year’s Eve soundtracks play a special role in bringing the celebrations to life.

“Sydney Harbour provides a stunning backdrop for the world’s most famous fireworks displays and each year, the fireworks soundtracks makes the celebration even more exciting,” the Lord Mayor said.

“I’m looking forward to hearing the mixes Nina has put together to accompany our spectacular fireworks displays as we welcome in the New Year.”

Nina Las Vegas is known across Australia for her encyclopaedic knowledge of dance music and strong support for the local music scene.

Nina has worked in Australian radio for over a decade, along the way establishing herself as one of Australia’s premier dance music DJ’s.

She has appeared at music festivals including Splendour in the Grass and Stereosonic, and played shows with Pharrell Williams, MIA and Baauer.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve is such an iconic event, so I was thrilled to be asked to be involved. It’s one of those rare moments when the whole city comes together and the eyes of the world are on Sydney,” Nina said.

“In coming up with the fireworks soundtracks, my goal was to find the middle ground between my musical passion – which is to showcase the best local and international dance talent – with what works well with fireworks, and what will appeal to the public at large.”

“The music for the 9PM Family Fireworks will be something that young children and their parents will enjoy equally, and for the Midnight Fireworks, the music is powerful and optimistic.”

“I can’t wait for people to be surprised on the night as they watch the fireworks and hear the fireworks soundtracks I’ve created.”

The fireworks soundtracks include 45 songs by a diverse range of local and international artists, including:

ARIA award-winning electropop artist Sia’s Chandelier, which has been nominated for 4 Grammy Awards;
Sydney producer Flume’s remix of New Zealand singer Lorde’s Tennis Court, which reached number 12 in this year’s triple j’s Hottest 100;
UK dance star Calvin Harris’s Summer, the 2nd single from his international number 1 album Motion;
US sensation Katy Perry’s Roar, which spent 2 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and went 10 times platinum in Australia; and
Sydney-born boy band 5 Seconds of Summer’s Amnesia, which went platinum on the ARIA charts this year.

12 computers are used to synchronise the fireworks to the fireworks soundtracks and ensure the displays go off together seamlessly.

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ acknowledges the support of Leadership Partner – Telstra, Charity Partner – Engineers Without Borders Australia, & NSW Government agencies and landholders including the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Sydney Opera House Trust.

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’: Fireworks Facts

The City of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display is recognised as one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced New Year’s Eve fireworks displays.
The 9pm Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays are watched by 1.6 million people on Sydney Harbour, millions across Australia and more than a billion worldwide.
Sydney’s celebrations draw larger crowds than New York City (1 million), Berlin (1 million), London (700,000) and Paris (100,000).
The fireworks are designed by Foti International Fireworks, led by Fireworks Director Fortunato Foti, and require a pyrotechnic crew of 45 people. This is the 17th consecutive year the company has been involved in Sydney New Year’s Eve.
Approximately 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 individual pyrotechnic effects will be used in the display, which is made up of 7 tonnes of fireworks.
14 shipping containers of equipment, weighing 120 tonnes, are needed for both the 9pm Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays.
12 computers will digitally launch the fireworks from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, barges and buildings, shooting 10,000 cues. The computers will be used to fire the show and will ensure the fireworks are synchronised to the music.
More than 60 kilometres of wire and cables link the launch computers, and there are 130 firing points on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The 9pm Family Fireworks will go off from 4 fireworks barges, while the Midnight Fireworks will launch from 7 barges, jet-skis, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Each year the top-secret Sydney Harbour Bridge Effect is a highly anticipated part of the night and is only revealed at the end of the Midnight Fireworks display. The Effect has been a highlight since the mid-1990’s when a smiley face appeared on the Bridge.
This year, the Bridge Effect will be made from more than 13 kilometres of LED ropelight, and measure 12 storeys high.
Previous Bridge Effects have included the word ‘PEACE’ and a dove (2002), 3 concentric hearts (2005), a mandala (2007) and an all-seeing eye (2013).
The Harbour of Light Parade® features more than 50 illuminated boats, which make a majestic passage within and around the Sydney Harbour Exclusion Zone after the 9pm Family Fireworks, building up excitement before the countdown to midnight.
The boats carry over 8,000 people and join more than 3,000 other vessels celebrating New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour.

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Sydney Skies To Light Up 3 Times In 1 Great Night

Master pyrotechnician Fortunato Foti is preparing to inspire Sydneysiders and visitors with his most colourful fireworks displays yet this Sydney New Year’s Eve.

Fortunato – a 7th-generation pyrotechnician whose family has been making fireworks since 1793 – has created a series of stunning new colours and shapes for this year’s displays, including silver and gold palm trees.

To mark his 15th year involved in the event, multicoloured fireworks and a special red glitter effect will also feature in the displays, which are recognised as one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the world.

A pyrotechnic crew of 45 will launch 7 tonnes of fireworks throughout the night – including 11,000 shells, 25,000 shooting comets and over 100,000 individual effects.

A 3rd mini-fireworks display, known as the ‘Inspire Moment’, will also feature at 10:40pm to keep crowds entertained during the countdown to midnight.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said 1.6 million people were expected to gather around the Harbour on Wednesday night to enjoy Sydney’s world-famous fireworks displays.

“For 15 years now, Fortunato Foti and his crew at Foti Fireworks have made Sydney New Year’s Eve a night to remember with their imaginative, innovative fireworks displays,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This year’s celebration promises to be just as spectacular, with new colours, shapes and a special 90-second show at 10:40pm that will build anticipation before the main event at midnight.”

Over the years, Fortunato and his crew have created dozens of original fireworks for Sydney New Year’s Eve, including shells in the shape of hands, musical notes, koalas, bees and birds.

Fortunato said his lifelong passion for fireworks means he is not daunted by the challenge of creating something exciting and new each year.

“We started working on Sydney New Year’s Eve back in 1999, and we quickly learnt what works best – and what doesn’t work so well – for a show of this size and scale,” Fortunato said.

“We’ve reached a point now where each year we walk away thinking ‘that was the best show we’ve ever done’ – and that just spurs us on to do even better the following year.”

“This year we’ve focused on making the displays as colourful as possible – you’ll see a lot of metallics, as well as bright reds, greens, blues and purples – and some fun new shapes, including palm trees with shimmering centres and multicoloured ends.”

“The displays will also have a lot of variety – because they’re synchronised to a specially curated soundtrack, the fireworks change as frequently as the music does, keeping audiences entertained and surprised.”

“For us, fireworks are truly inspirational, so we hope that the displays reflect our love and passion, and that they inspire everyone watching – both around the Harbour and across Australia and worldwide.”

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’ acknowledges the support of Leadership Partner – Telstra, Charity Partner – Engineers Without Borders Australia, & NSW Government agencies and landholders including the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Sydney Opera House Trust.

Accessibility Initiatives Mean Everyone Can Be Inspired This Sydney New Year’s Eve

A range of City Of Sydney accessibility initiatives will make this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations safer and more inclusive for all.

This year’s event will feature a live audio description broadcast, designated accessible viewing areas and projections of giant hands spelling out Auslan messages on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons.

A dedicated page on the official Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ website will provide accessible transport information and an interactive vantage point map highlighting accessible facilities around the Sydney Harbour foreshore.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was committed to ensuring everyone can take part in Australia’s largest public event.

“Sydney New Year’s Eve is an event for everyone, so we want to make sure the many Sydneysiders and visitors living with a disability have a safe and enjoyable night,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Our accessible route maps and designated accessible viewing areas will make getting to the event easier, so audiences can focus on relaxing with family and friends and welcoming in the New Year.”

A live audio description will be broadcast on radio station 2RPH from 7:45pm on 1224AM, 100.5FM, 2RPH digital and online at 2rph.org.au.

Professional audio describers Emma Bedford and Daryl Colquhoun will bring the full Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ program to life, including the 9PM Family Fireworks, Harbour Of Light Parade and Midnight Fireworks display.

There will be designated accessible viewing areas at the Sydney Opera House, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, the Cahill Expressway & Pirrama Park and Ballarat Park in Pyrmont.

People interested in visiting these areas should check the Sydney New Year’s Eve website for more details.

The website also features maps showing the most accessible routes to some vantage points, accessible public toilets, information booths, transport hubs and other points of interest.

Throughout the night, welcome messages will be projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylons in Auslan, the sign language of Australia’s deaf community, as well as the languages of Sydney’s 16 top migrant populations and tourist nationalities.

And for those staying at home, live closed captions will be available for the ABC’s TV broadcast of the celebrations and Telstra’s YouTube Show, while the soundtracks of the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays will be simulcast on 104.1 2DayFM.

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Many Ways To Celebrate This Sydney New Year’s Eve

This New Year’s Eve, the best seat in the house for Sydney’s world famous fireworks displays may well be at home – in front of the TV, next to the radio or by your computer, tablet or phone.

The City of Sydney is teaming up with ABC TV, 104.1 2DayFM and Telstra to give audiences across Australia front row seats to the celebrations without having to leave the house.

The broadcasts will feature performances by some of Australia’s most popular musical acts, exclusive interviews with special guests and, of course, live coverage of the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ broadcasts were a fantastic option for those who want to celebrate in the comfort of their own homes.

“This year, we’re giving Sydneysiders the opportunity to be part of the world’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve experience with their family and friends, without having to leave the house,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Our live TV, radio and online broadcasts will feature hours of free entertainment and provide a box seat for Sydney’s spectacular fireworks displays.”

“These are great choices for those who can’t make it into the city or who would rather avoid the queues and crowds.”

The live TV broadcast will kick off at 8:30pm on ABC, hosted by Julia Zemiro from RocKwiz and Toby Truslove from Utopia.

The 4-hour program will feature a Pub Quiz hosted by Lawrence Mooney, a special edition of The Agony of New Year’s Eve, and a review of the year’s biggest stories in news, sport and music.

The broadcast will also feature an exclusive interview with Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ Creative Ambassador Jack Thompson, live performances by Suze DeMarchi, Kasey Chambers and The Tap Dogs, and live crosses from roving reporters across Australia and in New Zealand. For more information, visit abc.net.au/tv/programs/new-years-eve/.

The official radio broadcast on 104.1 2DayFM will feature the live soundtracks to the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays, which have been curated by renowned Australian DJ Nina Las Vegas.

The broadcast, which starts at 6pm, will also feature live crosses and exclusive coverage from around Sydney Harbour. For more information, visit 2dayfm.com.au/city-of-sydney-nye-hub/.

The Sydney NYE Telstra YouTube Show will live stream all the action from different vantage points around the harbour for 4 hours from 8:30pm through Telstra’s Sydney NYE app, on YouTube and via T-Box (Channel 919).

The Show, which will be hosted by Luke Jacobz from The X Factor Australia and comedian Em Rusciano, will feature exclusive New Year’s Eve content, interviews and live performances by The Temper Trap and Art vs Science. For more information, visit telstra.com/nye

As part of its’ efforts to make Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ inclusive and accessible for all, a live audio description of the celebrations will also be broadcast on radio 2RPH from 7:45pm on 1224AM, 100.5FM, 2RPH digital and online.

Professional audio describers Emma Bedford and Daryl Colquhoun will bring the full program of events to life, including the 9PM Family Fireworks, Harbour of Light Parade and Midnight Fireworks displays. For more information, visit 2rph.org.au.

For the full program, visit sydneynewyearseve.com.

Get Planning For A Safe And Memorable New Year’s Eve

Sydneysiders and visitors coming into Sydney this New Year’s Eve are being encouraged to make the most of the latest digital tools, including interactive maps and live social media feeds, to plan a safe and enjoyable night.

More than 1.6 million people are expected to gather around Sydney Harbour for the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks displays. Tens of thousands more will attend ticketed events and licensed premises throughout the city and neighbouring areas.

The Sydney New Year’s Eve website, Telstra app, printed event guide and city centre information booths will provide audiences with essential planning and transport advice, along with tips on how to make the most of the night.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said planning ahead was crucial to ensuring a safe and memorable New Year’s Eve.

“We’re expecting larger crowds than ever before, so take advantage of our helpful planning tools and arrive early to secure a good spot,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Visit the New Year’s Eve website to search for the best vantage points on our interactive map, receive transport updates and access details about what’s on around town to ensure you get around safely and enjoy your night.”

The official Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 website is a 1-stop shop for essential event information, including an interactive vantage point map to help people find the best spot to ring in the New Year.

More than 65 vantage points are included and can be searched for features including food and drinks, alcohol restrictions, accessible toilets, entry fees and mobility access. The website will be updated throughout the night as vantage points reach capacity.

The website also features a ‘Plan Ahead’ page with road closures and public transport information, while a ‘Program Of Events’ page provides a rundown of the night’s entertainment on Sydney Harbour and what’s on listings for other parts of Sydney like Balmain, Bondi and Manly.

The official Sydney NYE Telstra app will feature live updates on vantage points, 360-degree video footage taken around the Harbour, and the ability to preload 50 text messages for family and friends that will be sent from Midnight – free of charge, no matter what network you’re on.

App users can also live stream Telstra’s Sydney New Year’s Eve YouTube show, which will feature live performances by The Temper Trap and Art vs Science.

The official Sydney New Year’s Eve event guide is available for spectators to pick up from Sydney Airport, major train stations, hotels, tourism information kiosks and the City’s libraries and community centres.

It features a map of harbourside vantage points, transport hubs and other important locations, detailed information about the extra transport services that will be running throughout the night, and advice on mobility access.

An information booth will be set up at Circular Quay from 27 December, and 5 additional booths will be available on 31 December, with volunteer staff offering information, directions and live updates on crowd capacity at key vantage points.

The booths will be located at the Customs House forecourt, Wynyard (cnr George and Margaret streets), Town Hall (Queen Victoria Building), St James (Queens Square) and Macquarie Street (Shakespeare Place and Bridge Street).

Audiences will also be able to get up-to-the-minute information throughout the night on Twitter by following the hashtag #SydNYE and @cityofsydney

For more information, visit sydneynewyearseve.com

‘Mustang’ Paces Ford’s Transformation And Exciting New Line-Up By Starring At Sydney NYE2014 – ‘Inspire’

Ford accelerates its’ Australian transformation with the Mustang to be featured at Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘ after the City Of Sydney names Ford an associate partner for the event
After scaling the Empire State Building and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai, the all-new Ford Mustang will now take centre stage at the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve event in Sydney, hosting the event’s 1st-ever soundtrack for the crowd
Ford also plans a surprise Ford Mustang appearance at the event, capping a year of iconic moments around the world
Ford is accelerating its’ Australian transformation by introducing a wave of new products in 2015, highlighted by the all-new Mondeo, Everest and iconic Mustang
Aussies can enter for a chance to win tickets at an exclusive area for fireworks and entertainment courtesy of Ford

Ford Motor Company, marking the company’s Australian transformation and wave of stylish, innovative new products, will place its’ globally iconic Mustang centre stage at the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve event to punctuate a history-making year for the ‘Blue Oval’.

The City Of Sydney today announced Ford as an associate partner for this year’s Sydney New Year’s Eve. This completes a history-making year in which the Ford Mustang sat atop the Empire State Building in April – re-creating the original Mustang’s debut 50 years ago – and scaled the Burj Khalifa, the world’s current tallest building in November.

To enhance the day-long event, Ford will bring music entertainment for the 1st time ever to the crowds at key Sydney Harbour vantage points. And, the Mustang will make a surprise appearance to cap a big year.

“We are sending a message that Ford has an exciting future in Australia with a great line-up of new vehicles, including the re-introduction of the Mustang, which is going global after 50 years as America’s greatest motoring icon,” said Bob Graziano, Ford of Australia President and CEO.

“We could not take the all-new Mustang any higher, so now we will give the world a view never seen from a car of Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks.”

Scheduled to officially join the brand’s Australian line-up in late 2015, the Ford Mustang will be displayed to the public for the 1st time on 31 December as part of Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire‘, which will be attended by 1.6 million people and viewed by more than a billion globally.

Taking pride of place at a Mustang concert stage harbour-side, this marks the 1st time a car has been this close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge for display purposes, which offers views of the evening’s fireworks, including incredible placement for the Midnight Fireworks display’s ‘waterfall’ pyrotechnics.

Ford is introducing a wave of new products that will accelerate next year as the company plans to refresh its’ entire line-up by 2017. In addition to the new Mustang, the new vehicles include:

2015 Ford Mondeo: The all-new, stylish and technologically advanced Mondeo mid-size sedan arrives early in 2015. The new Mondeo will feature at least 10 advanced models not available on the Camry, including a diesel model that will be more fuel efficient than Camry Hybrid.
2015 Ford Kuga: The newly launched Ford Kuga will be freshened in early 2015 with new EcoBoost technology available, including the 2L EcoBoost engine on high series which offers more power than Toyota’s RAV-4.
2015 Ford Focus: A freshened version of the popular car nameplate arrives in the middle of the year and will include a refreshed performance model of the Focus ST.
All-New Ford Everest: The Australian designed and engineered Everest is a technologically advanced, stunningly capable and refined 7-seat SUV that will be launched in 2015.
2015 Ford Ranger: A freshened version of the tough, capable and Australian-created Ranger will arrive in 2015 to build on its’ momentum after cutting Toyota Hilux’s sales lead by 38% since 2011.

“The theme for Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 is ‘Inspire’, which is a perfect fit for the future of our brand – especially with the arrival of the Mustang as people see the car as a way to explore their dreams and the freedom of the open road,” said Graziano.

“Sydney is one of the 1st major cities to ring in the New Year so we want to help the City make the event even more memorable.”

Crowd Entertainment

Ford will bring the soundtrack for the evening to life, hosting a number of Aussie music favourites and broadcasting music to tens of thousands of people around Sydney Harbour.

“People show up early and wait all day for the fireworks displays,” said Graziano. “We are bringing the 1st-ever soundtrack to help people enjoy the day even more. It’s also a chance to celebrate Ford’s exciting future in Australia with a great line-up of new vehicles, including the re-introduction of the Mustang, which is going global after 50 years as America’s greatest motoring icon.” said Graziano.

Ford is also giving Aussies the chance to enter to win tickets to the exclusive event[1]. From 11 December 2014, fans are invited to head to the Ford Australia Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FordAustralia) and share their most adventurous New Year’s resolutions by uploading a photo on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #FordNYE to win[2].

3 winners will receive flights, accommodation, and exclusive tickets for themselves and 3 friends at the coveted location, one of the best vantage spots to watch Sydney New Year’s Eve 2014 – ‘Inspire’. In addition, 1 grand prize winner will also win the chance to help make his or her adventurous resolution come true. Entries close December 18 2014.

Australians are also encouraged to follow all the action from the evening by following #FordNYE and #SydNYE.

Global Icon Joins Australian Family

The all-new Ford Mustang is the most advanced version yet of the iconic pony car, offering more advanced driver-assist technology than any other car in its’ class. The sleek new design of the Mustang, fastback and convertible, is backed up by world-class performance from a range of available engines, including a new turbocharged EcoBoost® 2.3-litre and an upgraded 5.0-litre V8 with more than 420 horsepower. In addition to state-of-the-art connectivity systems, Mustang features available track apps, launch control and more.

The Ford Mustang was revealed to the world with a television advertising campaign on the evening of April 16, 1964, before being shown to the public at the New York World’s Fair the next day. The car officially went on sale that day, and Ford dealers accumulated a record 22,000 sales and orders that 1st day on the way to more than 418,000 sales in the 1st year and 1 million sales in less than 2 years. In the past 5 decades, more than 9 million Mustangs have been sold.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across 6 continents. With about 189,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its’ products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

[1] Terms and conditions apply.

[2] Entrants who enter using Instagram also need to tag @FordAustralia to be eligible to win. See the terms and conditions.