New Years Eve 25 Years Ago: 1998

Today is January 1 and Happy New Year to all our readers.

This post was published as the midnight fireworks went off on Sydney Harbour and makes perfect timing to post how Sydney marked the start of the New Year 25 years ago. 

1998 is our year in focus.

December 31 1998, was the second last New Year's Eve of the century (and millennium). Sydney had big plans for December 31 1999, and wanted to do a "rehearsal" of what would happen on that night

Organisers wanted to make the midnight fireworks the pinnacle event of the night, so on December 31 1998, they decided to do what is now regarded as the first major midnight fireworks spectacular, which would involve the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

In past years, there had been midnight fireworks on Sydney Harbour but they were either low-key or not on the scale that was planned. 

The 9pm fireworks show still remained as the main show but was shortened to twenty minutes, while the midnight show lasted ten minutes.

Kylie Minogue was invited to press the button to launch the 9pm show and was booked in as the surprise guest for the black tie ball that was hosted by Lord Mayor Frank Sartor.

Source: Nicholas, G. 1999. "Kylie plays the opera house at a black-tie millennium rehearsal". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 1: 4. 

For some watching on the North Shore, smoke from the fireworks hindered the view, leaving them disappointed. 

Source: Anon. 1999. "Boos as old year goes up in smoke". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 1: 1.

 

Source: Hilferty, T. 1999. "Smoke hazard: But fireworks lit up most of the 1.1 million fans". The Daily Telegraph, January 2: 4. 

Below is coverage from Pages 4 and 5 of The Daily Telegraph from January 1999. It includes a well-written appraisal of festivities by Ray Chesterton. 

The Sydney Morning Herald, in its coverage (January 1, 1999), looked at both the positive and negative.

 

Source: Dent, J. 1999. "Harbour fireworks light up the night". The Sydney Morning Herald, January 1: 4.

Facts of Interest

• Festivities cost an estimated $2 million.
• Channel Nine was the official TV broadcaster with 2UE providing a simulcast of the playlist for those listening on the radio.
• The main fireworks launching points were from The Sydney Harbour Bridge, and barges placed east of Cockatoo Island and east of Mrs Macquaries Point, compared to six barges and four pontoons for 2023. 
• An estimated 20 000 fireworks were released. For 2023, 75 000 fireworks are estimated to be released, nearly four times the number.
• Fireworks were released from the following city buildings. In 2023, Crown Sydney and Salesforce Tower are among five city towers to have fireworks released. 
• Attendance was estimated at 1.1 million.

Sourced from Page 17 of The Daily Telegraph, December 31 1998.

Transport Arrangements

Below are public transport arrangements for New Year's Eve. Like in 2023, major summer trackwork was suspended for the day to enable revellers to travel to and from the city. 

Source: Sydney Ferries, Sydney Buses & CityRail. 1998, "Don't get stuck when New Year's Eve turns into New Year's Day" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, December 30: 11.

Source: Sydney Ferries, Sydney Buses & CityRail. 1998, "How we'll get you there on New Year's Eve" (Advertisement). The Sydney Morning Herald, December 31: page unknown.