Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2000 (Part II)

Last week, I posted the first entry on the 2000 Royal Easter Show and in our second and concluding entry, I will share feature articles and highlights.

Key Statistics

Up to April 28, 2000 (and does not include the final figures from April 29, 2000)

• 1,059,760 attended
• 883,500 travelled to the show by public transport. 623,320 travelled by rail and 260,180 by bus
• More than 620 children were recorded as lost.
• Approximately 10,000 animals were on exhibition
• 950,000 bottles or servings of water and soft drink were sold
• 500,000 coffees were sold
• 275,000 hot dogs and Dagwood dogs were sold

Source: Stevenson, A. 2000. "Salute to land and its people". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 1: 50. 

Main Arena Entertainment

Each night at 7:45 pm, the Main Arena would host a recreation of Banjo Patterson's The Man from Snowy River. 

Source: Buchan, N. 2000. "Back to the bush: Tradition returns to main arena". The Daily Telegraph, April 6: 7. 

Opening Day - April 14 

The Daily Telegraph had this report in its Final Afternoon edition (1:30 pm), reporting "massive crowds" for Day 1, and only half the day had passed. Opening Day coincided with the last day of Term 1, which also happened this year (April 11). 

Source: Gee, S. 2000. "Crowds show up in droves". The Daily Telegraph, April 14: 3. 

A new opening day record was set with 54,873 attending. Yours truly was amongst them. 

Source: Walker, F. 2000. "Big crowd makes show of security". The Sun Herald, April 16: 14-15

With the Olympic Games five months away, NSW Police performed a practice exercise on Saturday, April 15. A security checkpoint was located at one of the entrances used to check bags of showgoers, who were required to pass through a metal detector. 20,000 people were subject to inspection. 

Source: Buchan, N. 2000. "Schools' day sets a record". The Daily Telegraph, April 15: 8. 

Easter Long Weekend

Good Friday saw crowds of over 140,000, and the Easter Long Weekend in 2000 offered something that normally wouldn't happen - sunshine and clear weather. It is a Sydney custom that at least one of the four days of the Easter long weekend is rainy.

At this stage, the Easter long weekend 2025 is forecast to be warm and sunny.

Did you know that in 2000, Anzac Day fell two days after Easter Sunday (April 23), meaning the Easter Long Weekend was a five-day weekend? 

On Anzac Day, the gates opened at 11 am in respect of the day and to enable people to attend Anzac Day events. 

Check out the crowd on Good Friday! Only 80,000 tickets have been allocated for Good Friday this year (as with every other day of the show).

Source: Buchan, N. 2000. "Perfect day for a bumper crowd". The Daily Telegraph, April 22: 11.

Source: Sams. C. 2000. "Sunny side up cheers record crowd". The Sun Herald, April 23:25.

About 100,000 people attend on Easter Saturday.

Source: McCabe, K. 2000. "Crowds hoof it around Show". The Sunday Telegraph, April 23: 9. 

The Prime Minister also had the opportunity to spend some time at the show.

Cameron, D. 2000. "Howard puts the cap among the cockies as he gets in for his chop". The Sydney Morning Herald, April 17: 5. 

In 2000, new restaurants opened at the showgrounds, increasing dining options, especially for those who dread carnival favourites—Pluto pups, dagwood dogs, and hot chips. 

Source: Buchan, N. "A step up from the pluto pups". The Daily Telegraph, April 28: 20.

Show Budgeting

Going to the Royal Easter Show is not cheap, even if on a budget. 

Source: Verghis, S. 2000. "Over budget, but hey, that's Show business".  The Sydney Morning Herald, April 17: 8.

A problem with showbags

The Pokemon bag was a best seller in 2000, but some items were missing due to shipping issues and failed to arrive in time. Ultimately, the price of the bags had to be reduced, and replacement items were provided to appease those eager to buy the bag.

Source: Porter, J. 2000. "Pokemon toys on missing list". The Daily Telegraph, April 17: 10.

  

Source: Buchan, N. 2000. "Missing toys cut price of Pokemon bags". The Daily Telegraph, April 18: 15.  

Some missed out on a particular bag because the day's supply was exhausted by 1 p.m. Pepsi was sold out by April 20, and no additional bags were sold as a result. Some items were substituted. 

Source: Clifton, B. 2000. "The great showbag shortage". The Daily Telegraph, April 21: 3.  

The Sydney Morning Herald (May 1 2000) published a special results supplement which included features on the show itself and a selection of photos.

That concludes our two-part series on the 2000 Royal Easter Show. Just a reminder that the 2025 Royal Easter Show runs until Tuesday, April 22.

It's time for a bonus - a map of the Sydney Showgrounds for the 2000 Royal Easter Show, as published in the preview magazine in The Sun Herald on April 9, 2000.

Related Entry

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2000 (Part I)

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2000 (Part I)

The cover of the preview magazine was published in The Sun Herald on April 9, 2000.

Friday marks the start of the annual Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park. The year of focus in 1999 and will be presented in two entries.

This week, I will focus on key facts and the showbags.

Date:         April 14-29, 2000

The Easter Show ran for 16 days as in 1997-1999 and it will run for 12 days in 2025. 

Theme: The Great Australian Muster

Admission

Show Only entry ticket prices remained unchanged from 1999

Adults: - $17
Tertiary Students - $13

Children: - $9.50

Showlink tickets were also available and could be pre-purchased at train stations for use on any one day of the show, including show buses. 

Adults: - $22
Tertiary Students - $15.50

Children: - $12

In 2025, ticket options are broader, but the general prices are:

Adults - $ 48.00 (Up $3 from 2024)

Concession - $36 (Up $2  from 2024)

Child - $29.50 (down $1.50 from 2024)

PWD - $29.50 (down $1.50 from 2024)

Early bird tickets are available with discounts. 

Tickets in 2025 include free return travel on public transport on the day of the visit, and the date of the visit must be pre-booked. 

Unfortunately, there is a $5.50 booking fee per ticket as all tickets are sold via Ticketmaster.

Transport

As in 1998 and 1999, the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA) oversaw public transport arrangements. The network of special regional bus services was maintained. The maps below were featured in the preview guide published in The Sun Herald on April 9 2000. There was no rail map for 2000.

Showbags

It has been reported that as many as 400 show bags are available in 2025. In 2000, 290 show bags were offered, still a large number. Showbags a quarter of a century ago ranged between $2 and $15, compared with $4 and $36 in 2024.

The images were obtained from the preview guide published in The Sun Herald on April 7, 2000.

Bensons

Note that the Cadbury Showbag was $5 and consistently a best seller. The "mega" bag for Cadbury fans in the day was the Crunchie Showbag, which cost $12. The Crunchie Showbag was a true Cadbury Showbag with various Cadbury Chocolates included.

One show bag I remember buying in 2000 was the Video Ezy Showbag, which included an ex-rental video alongside other goodies. I chose Armageddon as my movie because I am a fan of Disaster Movies. 

The Humungous Showbag, now sold under the Bensons Banner, was the only bag from The Showbag Factory that survived the move. 

Gag Magic

New Concept

They specialised in bags for TV Shows and films, including bags from Warner Bros. and Disney Franchises. In addition, merchandise could be purchased. WWF fans were also looked after, with two bags on offer. 

They also offered a Sydney Olympics Showbag ($12.50) and a  Sydney Swans showbag ($15). In 2025, AFL Fans can buy a bag for any of the 18 teams in the competition.

2DAY FM, Pepsi & Triple M 

All three were bestsellers, and the question has to be raised as to why neither of them brought out an annual bag for 2025. 2DAY FM was, at the time, the most listened-to FM Radio Station in Sydney, but it has slipped in the past decade following the departure of Kyle and Jackie O to KIIS FM ( Formerly MIX 1065/2UW).

You got a bag you could use each day, and whatever was featured was a freebie, making the bags value for money.

2DAYFM and TripleM also provided coffee mugs. 

Nestle

Bertie Beetle Showbags were on offer for $3 or 2 for $5. Only the blue (original bag) was available. Lifesavers was owned by Nestle in 2000 but is currently produced by Darrell Lea, meaning that Lifesavers Showbags are now sold in the Darrell Lea stand. 

Candy World

Mega Showbags

& the others...

The NRL had their showbags on offer, but did not require a visit to the Showbag Pavillion and cost $20. All teams were available

Darrell Lea offered four show bags in 2000 and will offer four in 2025, though the Liquorice Showbag is the one that has survived. A " classics"-themed bag is also on offer this year. One popular bag in 2000 that is no longer offered is the A Little Luxury Sample Bag.

That concludes Part I. Next week, I will share some feature articles and highlights from the 1999 Royal Easter Show in Part II. 

Related Entry 

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 2000 (Part II)

Last Edited April 16 2024


      

New Years Eve 25 Years Ago: 1999 (Millennium Celebrations)

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and each year, I post an entry on how Sydney welcomed the new year 25 years beforehand.

The year of focus is 1999.

This New Year's Eve was widely accepted as the last of the second millennium, though it will always be disputed as there was no year "zero". The millennium ended at 11:59 pm on December 21 2000, as it would mark exactly two thousand years.

Cities, towns and villages around the world all wanted to present the biggest celebration that they could do for their citizens to mark the new millennium. 

By the end of the 1990s, Sydney had built up a reputation for its New Year's Eve fireworks shows, whether at 9pm or to welcome in 1999, at midnight and was attracting global coverage. 

The changeover from 1999 to 2000 was also significant for Sydney because 2000 marked the year it would host the Olympic Games that year and the world would converge on the city for two weeks of sporting competition. 

It meant that Sydney had to welcome the new year in Olympic style. It had to be the biggest and the best.

How did it happen?

Program

• From 8:30 pm to 11:20 pm - Floating Sea Creature Parade on Sydney Harbour - This comprised a loop around Sydney Harbour. From any vantage point, the parade lasted 25 minutes from the passing of the first sea creature. 
• 9 pm - Family Fireworks
• 12 pm - Midnight Fireworks

Below is the soundtrack and how the midnight display would work.

Sourced from: Anon. 1999. "NYE Last-minute guide". The Daily Telegraph, December 31: 40.

Launch positions

Sourced from: Anon. 1999. "NYE Last-minute guide". The Daily Telegraph, December 31: 40.

• Four barges were located in Sydney Harbour - Off Cockatoo Island, Goat Island, Fort Denison and Bradleys Head. 
• The Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sydney Opera House (It was meant to be a "one-off" but became permanent in 2013)
• Sydney Tower
• Skyscrapers in the Sydney and North Sydney CBDs including Chifley Tower, Goldfields House and Grosvenor Place. 

There will be eight barges for 2024. Apart from the four locations in 1999, there will be a second barge off Goat Island (one on its eastern side and one on the other side of the island, one just west of the harbour bridge, one to the north of the Opera House and one located off Garden Island. 

Bridge Effects

Sourced from The Sun Herald, January 2, 2000

Two lighting effects were featured during the display:

• Smiley Face (As featured in the 1997 New Year's Eve Fireworks Display) - It is the only bridge effect to be used more than once.
• Arthur Stace's etching of Eternity - This appeared at the end of the show and was in tribute to the late Arthur Stace, a Christian man who etched Eternity fifty times a day from the 1930s until he died in 1967. Bells were rung from St Marys Cathedral and St Andrews Cathedral as it was switched on. 

A recreation of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Eternity was featured in the 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony held at Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park on September 15, 2000, as part of a pyrotechnics display in the Eternity segment. The segment was about paying tribute to those who have been involved in building infrastructure across Australia over time. 

TV Broadcasters

• Nine Network
• ABC 

This was the first and only time two television free to air networks broadcast the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks. 

The Nine Network had an agreement to broadcast the fireworks with Sydney City Council from 1997-2000 and ended up with the "official" footage and accompanying soundtrack in its broadcast.

The ABC partnered up with TV Broadcasters from 60 nations as part of 2000 Today, which was the world's biggest TV Broadcast to date. ABC provided its own footage of the fireworks and could not play the soundtrack that accompanied them. Footage of Sydney's fireworks would be interspersed between other celebrations that occurred at the same time - Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart, with the soundtrack that of Melbourne's midnight fireworks, which could be played on any broadcast (Channel Nine also did the Melbourne fireworks soundtrack for when they aired the Midnight fireworks immediately following Sydney's Fireworks). 

Interestingly, the BBC (UK) Broadcast of 2000 Today accommodated footage from both the Nine Network and the ABC. Click here to view the coverage presented by Michael Parkinson and Rolf Harris. 

The Nine Network tried to prevent the ABC from broadcasting the fireworks by claiming "exclusive rights" in the Federal Court, but was unsuccessful. 

In 2024, ABC will broadcast the fireworks. 

Transport

For the Millennium celebrations, train services operated on a 24-hour timetable to give revellers plenty of time to travel to and from the city.

However, due to concerns about the Y2K bug, all underground stations were closed between 11:45 pm and 1:45 am to ensure that passengers were safe in case. Those leaving the city immediately after the midnight fireworks had to walk either to Central or Milsons Point to take trains home. 

A three-day rail ticket was offered for $10 to cover rail travel between December 31 and January 2. Sydney Buses provided their $10 Millennium tickets, which covered 36 hours from 12:00 am on New Year's Eve until 12 pm the following day.

 

Source: New South Wales Department of Transport. 1999. "24 hour trains on New Year's Eve" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 26:10.  

Below is a map of Sydney CBD closures and bus terminals.

The Sunday Telegraph and The Sun Herald (January 2, 2000) reported that public transport services ran smoothly, with 250 000 travelling by rail, 150 000 by bus and 33 000 on Ferries. 

Facts of interest

• The festivities cost an estimated $5 million. This year, the fireworks are estimated to cost $6.3 million.
• An estimated 200,000 individual fireworks were launched. 
• The midnight fireworks lasted approximately 25 minutes, the longest show to date.
• As many as 1.5 million attended the fireworks.
• An estimated 6000 spectator craft were on Sydney Harbour (About 7000 spectator craft were reported to have been on Sydney Harbour for the Bicentenary celebrations in 1988). The Sydney Morning Herald (January 1, 2000) estimated that 100,000 people watched the fireworks from a boat in Sydney Harbour.  

Coverage

There was extensive coverage in newspapers, given the historical significance of the celebrations. The front page of The Daily Telegraph featured at the top of the post published a special wrap round as part of a 16-page special. 

The Sydney Morning Herald 

They also published a dawn edition several hours after their regular metropolitan edition to focus on the first sunrise over Sydney of the new millennium. It was an overcast morning.

   

The Weekend Australian

The Sun Herald (January 2, 2000)

A complete broadcast of the midnight fireworks from Channel Nine was uploaded to Youtube by TheSydneyFireworks if you wish to view the entire show.

2000 Today (ABC) - Uploaded by scana1979 to Youtube.

There was extensive coverage internationally by the press including TV Networks. I have posted a direct link to the BBC coverage above under TV Broadcasters.

ABC America

Uploaded by Mason R to Youtube

CNN & CNN International 

Uploaded by Hutchinson Video Archive to Youtube.  Sydney Fireworks coverage begins at 28:36 in the video.

That is how Sydney welcomed 2000 and the new millennium in a nutshell. I wish you all a very happy new year. Remember This? returns for its summer series from next week. 

Christmas Snapshot: 1999

Christmas Day falls on Wednesday (December 25), and this entry focuses on how Sydney marked Christmas 25 years ago. The year in focus is 1999, the last Christmas of the 20th Century and the second millennium.

In 1999, Christmas Day fell on a Saturday, which gave one plenty of time to prepare in the week leading up to the day. 

Carols in the Domain - December 18

It was held on December 18, 1999, and attracted a crowd of about 100,000 people. The event was hosted by Andrew Daddo and Belinda Emmett. ​ Entertainers included Lisa McCune, who made a dramatic helicopter entrance from her performance in "The Sound of Music," Vanessa Amorosi, The Wiggles, Monica Trapaga, and the Von Trapp children from "The Sound of Music." Other performers included Chelsea Gibb, Simon Burke, Sharon Millerchip, Doug Parkinson, Ignatius Jones, and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. The event also featured a pre-show with performances by the Real Blondes and the Daisy Dolls. ​

Further Reading:

Minogue, K. 1999. "Lisa to fly in for Domain carols". The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 17.

Rumble, T. 1999. "Choppers and Changes For Busy McCune". The Sun Herald, December 19: 44. 

Newspaper Front Page - Christmas Day

In 1999, The Daily Telegraph was the only newspaper published on Christmas Day in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph/The Sunday Telegraph published Christmas Day editions between 1994 and 2004. 

The Sunday Telegraph, allocated one page (page 4) for Christmas features in its edition of December 26. Features included the Christmas Addresses from the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney - Cardinal Edward Clancy, and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Harry Goodhew.

The weather started "wet and wild" before clearing to a sunny afternoon. 

Bondi Beach proved popular with British Backpackers, who held their traditional Christmas Day party on the beach.

Christmas Sales

It was reported by The Daily Telegraph in its afternoon edition on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that an estimated $200 million had been spent by shoppers in NSW on December 24, and a total of $2 billion in the lead-up to Christmas.

Source: Lawson, B. 1999. "$2bn splurge: Record Christmas spending". The Daily Telegraph, December 24: 1 & 2.

The afternoon edition on Christmas Eve also included a feature on the marathon trade at the Sydney Fish Markets, a tradition that continues to this day.

Christmas Planners

I love posting the Christmas Planners because they provide a great snapshot of services over Christmas. Compared with today, services available on Christmas Day have remained relatively unchanged if we focus solely on what is featured below. I remember with eateries, many were shut on the day, but some especially fast food chains such as McDonalds have since decided to trade on the day.

 

The most significant changes in what's available have focused on Boxing Day, with retail trade permitted on Boxing Day across the Metropolitan area since 2015. In 1999, Boxing Day fell on a Sunday and no retail trade was allowed as a public holiday had been gazetted for December 28 (December 27 was to make up for Christmas Day falling on a Saturday). 

To close off this entry,  a newspaper feature on Christmas lights adorning the homes at Johnson Close at Bonnet Bay in the Sutherland Shire. The competition for the best-lit street at Christmas has gotten fiercer every year since. 

Source: Tsavdaridis, N. 1999. "The Bay of lights". The Daily Telegraph, December 25: 15. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

 

Royal Easter Show Flashback: 1999 (Part I)

Above: The cover of the preview guide published in The Sun Herald on 21 March 1999.

Friday marks the start of the annual Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park. The year of focus in 1999 and will be presented in two entries.

This week, I will focus on key facts and the showbags, and I will share feature articles next week. For those following the series redevelopment of East Circular Quay, it will resume on Easter Monday (1 April)

Date:         26 March to 10 April 1999

The Easter Show ran for 16 days in 1997 and 1998, and it will run for 12 days in 2024. 

Admission

Ticket prices increased by $2 in all categories from 1998

Adults: - $17
Tertiary Students - $13

Children: - $9.50

Showlink tickets were also available and could be prepurchased at train stations for use on any one day of the show, including show buses. 

Adults: - $21
Tertiary Students - $15

Children: - $11

In 2024, ticket options are broader, but the general prices are listed below:

Adults - $ 45.00 (down $2 from 2023)

Concession - $34 (up $3.50 from 2023)

Child - $28 (down $1.50 from 2023)

PWD - $28 (down $1.50 from 2023)

Early bird tickets are available with discounts of up to 20% available, with further discounts if entering after 4pm.

Tickets in 2024 include free return travel on public transport on the day of the visit, and date of the visit must be pre-booked. 

Transport

As in 1998, the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA) oversaw public transport arrangements. The network of special regional bus services was maintained. The maps below were featured in preview guide published in The Sun Herald on 21 March 1999.

Showbags

It has been reported online that there as many as 400 showbags on offer in 2024. In 1999, 290 showbags were offer, still a large number. Showbags a quarter of a century ago ranged between $2 and $15, compared with $4 and $36 in 2024.

The images were obtained from the preview guide that was published in The Sun Herald on March 21 1999.

2DAYFM, A little luxury and Girls bag o' pressies (Girlfriend Magazine)

Sadly, 2DAYFM and A little luxury showbags are no longer sold despite their popularity at the time. 2DAYFM in 1999 was number one on the FM band and Nova was two years away from broadcast. The "Ugly" Mug was that of "Ugly Phil" who hosted the nightly top 30 countdown with Jackie O at the time. 

Bensons

With the Cadbury range, it was simpler. No "mega" bags or "budget" bags.

The Greatest Showbag on Earth and The Original Idiot Showbag are still on sale in 2024, provided you are prepared to pay $32 for each bag.

 

Coca Cola

Another best seller from 1999 not selling a showbag in 2024.

Triple M and Gag Magic

New Concept

New Concept also offered showbags for TV Shows and films. There were three themed bags for The Simpsons, South Park, and A Bug's Life, and there was even a Sydney Olympics Showbag. In 1999, Friends was one of the most watched television shows in Australia. In 2024, a showbag from that show is on offer, though no longer on screen. Oddly, in 1999, there was no bag. 

Showbag Factory

The Showbag Factory is an operator that has sadly disappeared from the Easter Show. One good aspect of their bags was their ability to focus on variety within their bags, e.g. Choc Favourites did not exclusively have to be from one brand. It also had the legendary Sunny Boy show bag and what I remember offered the best "big bags". 

Mega Showbags

That concludes Part I. Next week, I will share some feature articles and highlights from the 1999 Royal Easter Show in Part II.