Fireworks

[wilneil]

Well, we, in conjunction with the rest of the World, have celebrated the arrival of the New Year with a massive display of fireworks that have cost, at a rough guess, several billion dollars.

While they are lovely to look at,  they last for maybe half an hour, just think what that money would mean in the way of food and medical supplies in the countries where the people are dying from either starvation or common medical problems.

Personally, I think the money spent on fireworks could be used for more humane purposes.

That is my opinion - now the question is:  What is your opinion?

Wilma.

[mccrae2007]

Hi Wilma,

I do agree with you.  Even if half of it was saved and given to help others.

Maybe if we were allowed to buy our own fireworks again, people wouldn't need to go out to see such a spectacular event?

[2chappies]

I agree Wilma.  Our local council had a spectacular display on the shore of Botany Bay last night but I wonder what it has cost us as ratepayers. 😞

mccrae, people can still buy fireworks as quite a few in our neighbourhood had them including next door. X-(  Don't ask me where they get them but there are plenty out there. 😮

[mccrae2007]

Hi 2chappies, I am in Victoria and I dont think we can buy them here.

It would be fun to have them again. 

[wilneil]

I actually asked the same question.  I was told that it is still legal to buy them over the counter in Canberra.  The other places were if you went into a shop in the Chinese Sector of any large town/city, and even if you/they  couldn't speak the language and you said BOOOM, you were taken "out the back" to see the selection and purchase whatever you wanted/needed.

[siddieswans]

I don't have any problem with Sydney fireworks on NYE. I think the cost of the fireworks this year was 6 million dollars and extra revenue for for Sydney alone is expected to be about $160 million.

We live in Sydney and over the years have hosted probably 6 young overseas visitors whose main purpose (believe it or not) in coming to Oz was to be part of the Sydney NYE party. In all cases they stayed on for a number of weeks, being tourists and spending their money here. Two young women were so impressed with our wonderful country that they are returning next year on 2 years visas to teach school.

We spent Christmas in Canada and when we said we were from Sydney several young people  working in cafes and on the ski slopes mentioned the Sydney NYE fireworks and how they would love to see them one day. Like it or not, they are one of Australia's most recognised events.

If you are old enough to remember cracker nights, then you probably should remember why the sale of fireworks is banned most places in Australia. For weeks afterwards papers would be full of stories of people (usually young people) being injured, often quite badly,  by fireworks either being set off accidentally, or being deliberately aimed at others.

I don't think we ever hurt anyone, but we definitely burned down our grandparents' back fence one year, when a rocket landed in a box of fireworks waiting to be let off. The combination of hot, dry, windy NYE weather and freely available fireworks does not bear thinking about.

Personally I always enjoy them. We watch them from our Sydney roof top, and can also see the local displays, including yours at Botany Bay. I'll bet there were plenty of others who enjoyed them too.

[grannyfrogsmith]

I think the fireworks are okay,just wish they went up the harbour closer to the Northern Beaches.

What is spent on NYE fireworks is a pittance to what our federal government have wasted and continue to waste.

IMHO

Happy New Year one and all.

[putney32]

Someone mentioned yesterday that even Canberra has now banned the sale of fireworks over the counter.

however,..... yep, if you are in the know any Asian shop can usually supply, illegally....

[Anonymous]

I agree with you Wilma, total waste of money, not to mention how much they scare the puppies, I had to sit up with two very scared dogs until after midnight, I was watching Shine a Light, Martin Scorsaces film of the Stones, turned the music up really loud....which brings me to this question........does anyone ese find it painful to watch aging old, ugly, rockers that shoud have stopped at 30?

[siddieswans]

 I was watching Shine a Light, Martin Scorsaces film of the Stones, turned the music up really loud....which brings me to this question........does anyone ese find it painful to watch aging old, ugly, rockers that shoud have stopped at 30?

Well no, not really - they don't look any worse than I do!