Should they rethink - Fireworks Displays

[Allan_L]

I think it is a lot of money for not much benefit and it could be better spent elsewhere.
(Especially considering the side effects.)
What do you think ?

[mswhin63]

I would rather watch the natural fireworks (meteors) than site in a hell-a-va crowded riverside with a load of drunks fighting it out in the heat.

[Omaroo]

I believe that it is considered to be one of the best, if not best, firework displays world-wide. We're known for it. We're envied. It adds to our tourism potential. What can be wrong with that?

[jjjnettie]

That's a shameful waste of money.
In the time it takes for that display to be shown, many hundreds of children will die because they don't have access to clean drinking water in their village.
How about donating even half that amount to the Fred Hollows Foundation, restore the sight of thousands of people so they can see fireworks as well.

[dpastern]

Waste of pubic money. Air pollution. Light pollution. Risks involved (admittedly low). There's no need for it. Ban it.

Dave

edit: how can we justify spending millions and millions on Fireworks and not helping out homeless, people suffering from mental illnesses, our ailing medical system(s), our ailing educational system(s), our ailing ambulance service(s)...shall I go on?

[wasyoungonce]

yep..give them bread & circus's & they will love you!

Nothing has changed since Roman times!

[Omaroo]

Oh please....:rolleyes: Five million redirected is sure to fix all of these ills... and really ensure that we dampen the spirits of Sydneysiders and thousands of visitors from all over the world at New Year. Good one.

Five million will more than likely be spent at local harbourside restaurants by those coming in to town to see the display. Good for business I would have thought. Keeps people in employment, no?

These are incumbent governments' management deficiencies - not monetary.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

:DI love fireworks, but the Mega-Displays tend to leave me a bit "ho-hum".
Much rather see a good local display - more intimate, noisier, smellier.
I used to love London's various displays. Most were private ( you can buy & light your own fireworks without a police permit), and most had varying ideas of what was 'midnight'. We used to sit atop Richmond hill and see who was off by the most.
One year it was the Jaggers, who didn't get going until 00:13, one year it was someone in Twickenham who figured 00:28 was close enough.
But mostly it was just fun!

[TrevorW]

No they banned Guy Fox night so they can all be banned IMO

if I can;t blow something up or launch a rocket why should they

:mad2::mad2::D:D;)

[Rainingstar]

I'm in complete agreement,and it's a massive waste of money that could be better spent on many worthwhile projects, besides it was a lot more fun when we were kids and were allowed to have our own fireworks for Guy Fawkes night, it's boring watching someone else do it.

[Omaroo]

Interesting that not one of you are from Sydney ;)

[wavelandscott]

I voted to make them even bigger and better!

Last year one of the last things we did before we left Australia was to make the trek down to the fireworks in Sydney...it was incredible and something that will stay with me always...

I can't wait to see them again someday.

[PCH]

Guy WHO !!! Showing yer knowledge of history there Trevor.

[jjjnettie]

I do like a good fireworks display. The ooohs and aaahs from the crowd. The crying and screaming from the littlies. LOL And most of all the smell. Love the smell.
But for my reasons stated above, I voted to reduce them.

[Omaroo]

Ah yes... that would be a Fox, a faux Fawkes.

[renormalised]

I'm all for the fireworks...apart from the tourist side of things, they're a tradition dating back many years, the kids love them (they do have a magic about them) and they're fun.

All this talk about it being pollution and a waste of money, better spent elsewhere on the homeless, poor, etc etc, is just nonsense talk. It wouldn't matter how much the display cost, it wouldn't even put a dent in any of those problems. Look at all the money they've spent over the years "combating" these problems worldwide...what's it really done. Nothing. Chris hit the nail on the head by saying it's government and non government management deficiencies, corruption and greedy self interest which have exacerbated these problems, not a lack of money.

Then, speaking of pollution, instead of putting blame on the fireworks display (a one-off), why not give up using your cars entirely and take public transport. Or, if you don't have public transport where you live, lobby the government to have it put into place. Make sure, then, that you get a system that's comprehensive and works well. Yes, you may have to pay for it, but at least it won't be contributing as much CO2 to global warming as you are now.

In so far as the hooligan element being there, that's a societal problem that needs to be addressed right from the time these people are little kids. You reap what you sow, as they say. In that sense, we need to look carefully at how we act as a society as a whole, as well as a family unit. Frankly, it needs changing, and bemoaning our present stupidity isn't going to solve the problem.

Worrying about the cost or environmental impact of a one off, yearly fireworks display isn't going to solve any of the other problems that have cropped up in this thread and canceling the display won't solve them either. We have more pressing problems to worry about than this and we should focus on these rather than canceling an event which is much loved by many thousands of people. Let the people have their fun and the city its tourist attraction.

[Octane]

In complete agreement with Chris, here, you guys complaining about Sydney's fireworks don't even live there.

Some of my fondest end-of-year memories have entailed joining my best friends, early on in the afternoon and securing a spot on Bennelong Point (Sydney Opera House foreshore) and having a wonderful time catching up, recounting the year, and waiting in anticipation of the awesome displays at both 9 PM and at midnight. The other simple pleasure has been sailing on the harbour on a time-shared catamaran on New Year's Eve. The atmosphere is incredible.

There are louts and drunks in a lot of the other areas, but, the foreshore is blocked off and you are screened for carrying alcohol -- the security guards will even make you open your bottles of Coke and sniff for alcohol. It is a family area.

For those of you complaining about money not being channeled through to worthy causes, write to your local minister. But, then, you will complain that politicians are useless.. The fireworks are taxpayer funded. And, to be perfectly honest, I am quite happy that a few cents out of my tax goes towards a fun evening. Waa waa boo hoo light pollution smoke pollution waa waa boo hoo. Get over it. It's for one night a year and has absolutely no impact on a global scale whatsoever.

Regards,
Humayun

[Ric]

I've no problem with the commercial displays.

It's the backyard bonfires that cause a problem with ash and embers flying around both suburban and rural.

This year we had a call out to the end of my street, the neighbours lit a bonfire and had their crackers going in a gale force wind.

Needless to say it took out 5 acres before we stopped it. All the neighbours could say as I was talking to them was "I didn't know you was in the RFS"

[renormalised]

Well, Ric, all I can say about those people is that they must be morons. Who in their right mind would light a bonfire in a gale force wind??!!. That's asking for trouble. It just goes to show you how completely stupid people can be. My father was the chief firewarden for the Sutherland District RFS in the 60's and if he had found anyone doing something as completely stupid as that, he would've had their guts for garters.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

I love the smell of Cordite at Midnight.....it smells like.......well...Cordite.

[Ric]

Hi Carl

You can guarantee the pagers will go off at least once every Queens Birthday long weekend.

[TrevorW]

Hey H

they have them in every state not just Sydney

PS: Fox, faux or Fawkes all the same to me used to be a fun night when I was a kid and no one got hurt except those stupid idiots that held 3p bombs in their hands

Cheers

[lacad01]

I don't mind them. Normally take my family down to the foreshore at Glebe, nice fun atmosphere. The only thing I don't like is the smoke/smell as it affects my asthma but you're that little bit out it's not too big a deal :)

[renormalised]

Not cordite, Peter...that's a bit too much bang for the buck!!!. Black powder, mate:D

Just had a thought....how about some ampho' in the little bangers. That'd be more like a "reasonable " sized bang for your buck:P:P:D:D

Although if they used this...."Cordite (http://www.cordite.org.au/)", they'd be waxing lyrical every time they went off:P:P:D:D

[FredSnerd]

Whenever I hear "This is good for jobs" I look for the business rip off (esp the small business perk) hiding behind the smokescreen. I'm pleased to have voted Ban The Fireworks for all the good reasons people below have identified (waste of money, poor sense of priorities, pollution, and as Trevor pointed out, they banned what was the real traditional family time (Carl) but allow it to themselves and use taxpayers $$$ to boot). As for the argument me and me mates have a really great time whenever we go to the fireworks display. Well, when I consider how much more usefully that $$$$ could be spent I think, I’m sure you and your mates can find other fun things to do.

[Omaroo]

I'm getting to know you better Claude.

[Ian Robinson]

That sort of money would just about pay for building a new highschool or several primary/infants schools ....

Total waste of money .... IMO

[Omaroo]

Here we go. This is so predictable. You fellas crack me up. :rofl:

[Octane]

Are you lot really that sad that you can't let the public have some fun for ONE NIGHT A YEAR?

[jjjnettie]

LOLOL
I must go fishing with you some time Chris. You get all the bites.

[FredSnerd]

Thats great Chris, I feel I've gotten to know you better too. That’s why I think these threads (not being just limited to astronomy) are really good. Otherwise, we're just type on a screen. Of course, one always has to be on ones guard to make sure they don’t read stereotype into the type they read on the screen. Don’t you think?

[Omaroo]

Any time Nettie. :lol:

[Kal]

As a sydneysider I'm in complete agreement with Chris and Humayun. The NYE fireworks are something special, and the happiness and fond memories that they leave on people that are there are worth the money spent.

[Darth Wader]

I'm a Sydneysider and I think it is a waste of money. Mind you I've never seen the appeal of the whole new year celebrations either, it's just another day to me.

[TrevorW]

1.5 million people in WA only a small percentage can actually go to the show and a lot don't go because of the associated problems

1. litter
2. social disorder, alcohol
3. traffic chaos
4. lousy public transport
5. crowds
6. weather

also do we need too have 2, one on new year and then Australia day
also in saying it may cost $5milion for Syd but how much income does the event generate I'd think the cost outweighs the benefit

In the case of WA our Skyshow was originally funded by a radio station who withdrew from the event

Whether you agree or not remember it's your rates and taxes which go too fund these events that are only enjoyed by a minority and over time a significant amount of money goes up in smoke

[mithrandir]

The sort of money they spend on NYE fireworks in Sydney won't buy one primary school, unless it is built with used demountables on crown land.

It wouldn't even buy the land if they didn't already own it. The UCV of each of the local state primary schools is over $3m.

[multiweb]

I reckon it looks great. The setting on the harbour bridge and the opera house nearby, the whole thing looks magical. It is regarded as the best display world-wide. So yeah, keep'em coming. :thumbsup:

[Omaroo]

You and the fam going this year Marc? I have a new office in Rozelle that has a balcony which overlooks the harbour from St Leonards right across to Lilyfield. Should be magic :)

[TrevorW]

The life of the rich and famous :P:D

[Omaroo]

LOL! Hardly Trevor. It's still the Landrover parked out front, not the Jag :lol:

[Louwai]

So what about the Multi-BILLIONS that are bet on the Melbourne Cup each year, or the Multi-Millions that are spent on the Boxing Day sales each year, Or the huge amounts of Money that is spent on Astronomy each year??
There is no reason to spend all of that money.Why don't we lobby everyone involved to give that money to some charity rather than spend it where they choose......

BHP are about to spend $4bn on a new Coal Port to export more of our coal. (which will create huge amounts of pollution when burnt) Why don't we lobby them to give that money to Charity.

$5m is a drop in the bucket when you look at the big picture. It would barly raise the eyebrow of a charity.

[jjjnettie]

I won't bite, I won't.

[FredSnerd]

Bryan,

Theres a distinction between private and public $$$. Your response does not appear to recognise that. People are talking about how best to spend public $$$. I personally think its a very poor use of public $$$.

[FredSnerd]

Just a nibble. Go on!!!

[jjjnettie]

OK then.:)
For those who rate the gift of sight higher than a night at the fireworks.
http://www.hollows.org.au/Single_Donation/

[Ric]

I'm going to send you a big spoon for Xmas Chris. ;) :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Cheers :D

[FredSnerd]

Glad you decided to Jeanette. That was interesting. I wasnt aware of this "On average, a person living with blindness in the developing world will die within four years of going blind". As if blindness isn't bad enough I suppose.

regards

[AstralTraveller]

I voted 'non-issue'. If you are going to go down the 'money better spent elsewhere' path then surely there are much bigger fish to fry. I don't want to open a political debate so I'll only mention the uncontroversial example of the Collins Class Underwater Disco. I do like fireworks though I don't make the effort to go as often as I might.

I agree that home fireworks were a lot of fun but, really, they had to be stopped. There were just too many injuries. I don't know how many occurred on the actual fireworks night but it was the norm for children to play with crackers, even good sized bungers in the weeks leading up to cracker night. Of course I was told the right way to use fireworks but, hey, boys will be boys. I had two near misses. On the second occasion a piece of glass took a small chunk out of my leg but it just as easily could have been an eye. To be fair they did teach some practical engineering. :P A mate and I used to build dams in the creek and then plant charges, hook them up together, and blow the dam.

[renormalised]

Hey Chris, what bait are you using, mate??:P:D

You'd catch an old boot with an old rusty hook!!!:eyepop::P:D

[renormalised]

Nothing a good panelbeater can't fix:P:P:D:D

[renormalised]

It's all well and good to give to these charities (I can't actually afford to, but I give to Fred's charity and the Red Cross) but if you're going to cure blindness once and for all, $5 Million isn't even going to cut it. Despite all the good work these charities do, they just can't get to everyone and the problem is only getting bigger each year. It's the governments that should be helping out here, not your average joe's. It might make you feel good giving out charity, but in the larger picture it doesn't amount to much. What the average person gives may seem a lot, but it's actually peanuts compared to the amount of money governments spend each year propping up the status quo.

[renormalised]

Chris, this world is full of scrooges. You know what, mate, I think if they want to ban the fireworks, let's be scrooges too. We really need to worry about CO2 and global warming (according to the experts). Let's ban all cars...or at least more than 1 car per family...and it has to be a hybrid, at least. Then ban their use within 10km of the city centre. Make people take public transport. Fine them if they don't. That'll recoup much more than the $5 million "wasted" once a year on a fireworks display:lol::P:D

Spend that on charitable works.

[Omaroo]

You know one that good Carl? :D

[TrevorW]

I'll go for the ban on all cars and

no one lives more than a resoanable walking distance from where they work

etc etc be blowed if I'm walking 30 klm to work everyday

[AstralTraveller]

How about this: The Carbon Pollution Reduction Party Scheme.

Every year on the 30th of June there is an (honest!!) audit of the country's environmental performance over the previous year. If there is an improvement then we have a nation-wide party over the xmas break to congratulate ourselves, with the splendor of the fireworks, the amount of fine food and the number of kegs proportional to the size of the improvements. Great huh??

Of course if there isn't an improvement .......... :eyepop:

Reduced visits by Santa for starters, but if we are really bad - porridge for xmas dinner, no desert and Australian loses the Boxing Day test. I think that would focus the national attention on improving the environment far better than some schemes that have been much in the news lately. :lol::lol:

[Ian Robinson]

Let the beneficiaries ( the tourist industry and all those other businesses who allegedly benefit from the New Year (and other events) pay for them then , why should they get a free ride when no one else does ?

[Terry B]

I like them and the cost is minimal really. I remember as a kid going down to Benelong Point and watching the fireworks. It was a great family outing. Hopefully the kids of today can have the same memory in the future.
For the 5 mil the gubberment could build ~10 Km of expressway. Which would be enjoyed the most?

[renormalised]

Well, as long as the 10kms of freeway was up to autobahn standards, I think that would be most enjoyable...as I could open up my Bugatti Veyron to full throttle and floor it all the way:P:P:P:D:D:D

[renormalised]

Not personally, but I'm sure you could find one, somewhere:D

[GrahamL]

More crackers please :)

Imagine how tense it would get in here if this night fell on a new moon:D

[renormalised]

You'd be able to cut the air with a knife:P:D

[Kal]

I suppose by your reckoning that the government should cut it's $137M annual funding (http://www.ret.gov.au/Department/Documents/TourismAustralia.pdf) of tourism australia as well?

Sydney's fireworks are a world class event. The promotion of the city that they bring would pay itself off with increased tourism from the exposure. Tourism brings in money to the industry, and the industry brings in money to the government through tax revenue, from both business tax, and payroll tax. Tourism creates jobs for many Australians.

If you want to make money (even through taxation) then you need to spend money at times.

[DeanoNZL]

While not on par with the big displays you have in Sydney, here is 1 that was supposed to last 40 minutes, but due to an error, only went for just over 1 minute. :eyepop:
http://www.epicfireworks.com/blog/2009/11/fireworks-accident-in-nz-awesome-video/

[FredSnerd]

Yes.

[Jen]

Well i look forward to the fireworks every year :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Its a great moment for us as a family to all huddle up together and look up at the sky (like us astro geeks do) :lol: And say "wow thats pretty"

:reindeer::reindeer::reindeer:

And yes i am a big kid too :P

[Baddad]

Hi Jen, :)

Its a great feeling to be a kid. I never want to grow up. With you on that one.:thumbsup:

Besides that, in a kids world its all discovery, everything is new and isn't that what astronomy is all about????

Cheers Marty

[dpastern]

Chris - I spent 38 years living in Sydney. Just cos I live in Brissie now, and have had for the past 2 years doesn't make my comment any less worthy. ;-)

5 million to hospitals etc is better than nothing. I'm not a fan of the give more money to businesses mentality, I'd rather it go to the people. In the end, business doesn't give a rats ass about the people, only making money. If business really cared about people, then they'd share their profits, wouldn't they? Businesses make enough profit (otherwise, why would they be in business for themselves?).

Dave

[dpastern]

That's not a bad cause Jeanette, especially since I got the recent news that the optical nerve in my left eye is degenerating badly (looks like early stages of Glaucoma).

Dave

[dpastern]

Agreed. It seems that we have a lot of people on these forums who don't care about public money expenditure. I'm sure those people would be the first to whinge when they can't have some sort of public function because there's no funding...

I must repeat that I am NOT a big fish that likes taking bait...I must repeat that I am NOT a big fish that likes taking bait...I must repeat that I am NOT a big fish that likes taking bait...I must repeat that I am NOT a big fish that likes taking baitlol

Dave

edit: it's been a long day @ work...typos usually follow tiredness

[Omaroo]

Yeah - you're right. The owners of thousands of restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, pubs, hotels, motels and stores have all of their staff work for free, and take the entire takings home themselves. Clever!

I know I was doing it wrong. Thanks for pointing me straight.

[Astro78]

Let's spend 0.01% of what the world drops during war or 'skirmishes'.

In other words let's increase the budget by a few magnitudes. seriously i don't see why not.

EDIT: Per dollar, what comes close to the fun, excitement, families, singles, you name it. But I would like to see more people coming together for fun - for any reason.

[dpastern]

I didn't say that Chris. Stop paraphrasing what I did say and twisting it to what you wanted me to say.

Anyways, I've said my bit about the Fireworks display.

Dave

PS I never once went to see the fireworks (no interest), nor watched it on TV (again, no interest). The noise hurts my ears, and my eyes are very sensitive to bright lights. The smell upsets my allergies. And if you've ever been a pet owner that's had to deal with a distressed pet because of the noise...

[Omaroo]

Nah, it's exactly what you mean Dave. You don't think that business is a good thing to support - you assume that all proprietors are inherently greedy with the inference that they won't want to pay their people if they can avoid it. Wow... who do think pays the people????????? The only other source of direct payment, other than via employment by business, is the dole!

The "tourism industry" (yes, that horrible, nasty yukky thing that underpays and starves the common man) is nothing more than a collective term for a bunch of people like you and me trying to earn a living from a common souce of cash - visitors. Let's to the silly thing and scare them away shall we... then the industry won't be paid. Yay! A win for the common man...

[Jules76]

Let's just save all the hassle and ban everything that can be seen as a waste. :P

[marki]

I thought I would comment before this thread gets locked :D. I have been in Sydney twice when the fireworks were on and it is pretty spectacular. However, I think they could do it for 4 million and nobody would notice (I will just bring my banjo and play dueling guitars :P). Some of the comments made against people who do not live in NSW are a bit off. From our persepective (Perthites) the fireworks are a magnet for drunken hoons who are out to fight anybody they can. Now this would be ok (add to the nights entertainment) if some of the 5 million was spent on buying popcorn for the onlookers as there is nothing like a bunch of drunk yobs punching it out with the riot squad by the river at 12.30pm under the gentle reflections of the city lighting and the cracking of the fireworks certainly adds the thud of fists on face. A few dollars for beer would be appreciated as well.

Mark

[norm]

Bring on the fireworks I say. If it makes a child smile and watch in awe all the better.:thumbsup:

If it means a bunch of sick kids can get a night out of hospital and watch from Kirribilli House what harm is done?

Seems to be a lot of grouches and kill joys here these days.



Ditto on above.

Norm:lol:

[slippo74]

Wow! 5 millions in fireworks...!!! Such a big deal but will be terrific! They are going to blow away my place considering I'm living so close to the Harbour bridge.

BTW for only 500k I can perform a jump from the bridge naked and with 2 fireworks in my hands. Probably not a nice thing to see, but can you image an Italian yelling "mamma miaaaaaaa" all the way before touch the water :)

Cheers, Cristiano.

[Ian Robinson]

I'll say yes too .

Australia's a great place to have a holiday , if the tourism industry wants foreign visitors to come and spend here, then since they profit from it , they should also pay for the promotion of Australia overseas as a destination. Not so cheap for them now .... with such a strong AUD.

Not that they need to, as anyone overseas who does their homework will know this a worthwhile place to visit, even better, it's safe , the people are friendly and we share a culture with our main sources of visitors.

BTW : I've never bothered travelling to Sydney for any "big events" , and never plan too , don't like the place, don't like driving or trying to get around there by public transport , and don't like the crowds you'll find at there kind of events .
Will I watch it on TV ? .... maybe .... unless I'm doing something more interesting at home , we never go out on NYE , rather have a quite night at home (where we are nice safe and comfy) . The party addicts , boozers and shardeney set are welcome to it.

[matt]

Damn!!! There are some killjoys around here.:D

[Astro78]

Ian I was actually writing "We agree for once, what a cool world". Alas just re-read before posting and you're actually proposing a cut to Aus tourism...LOL

One day perhaps (we'll agree) :thumbsup: Take care until that day :)

[FredSnerd]

No what I think Dave is saying is why are they getting all these handouts. Working people and businesses are equally dependant on each other. One can't really survive without the other. So why does business deserve anymore support then people do. Personally I think the reason we think that way is because it's constantly drummed into us that our contribution is not as worthwhile or valuable. And its drummed into us precisely so they can get away with all these outlandish handouts (not to mention all the other outlandish perks including the endless categories of tax consessions, tax deductions and grants). Its bad enough that even after all these handouts, we have to bail them out with government $$$ when their wheeling and dealing makes everything go belly up, but their concerted efforts over the years to cause us to disrespect ourselves and not see how very vital we are to the whole system, thats the most contemptible thing.

[AstralTraveller]

Good grief .... I though you were about to say something quite different. :eyepop::eyepop:

[MrB]

I voted for maintained levels... tho I'm kinda biased coz I LOVE fireworks.... even used to make my own pyrotechnics(shhhh!) until all the terrorism hysteria forced a crack down on the sale of chemicals :(

[Ian Robinson]

Um .... reread what I said .... I have no problem with cashed up foreign tourists coming here and spending while visiting ....

I don't think government should be the ones who are paying to promote the tourism to Australia .... this should be paid for by the industry themselves .

[Ian Robinson]

I voted for reducing the PUBLIC expendature on big fireworks events.

[Kal]

Might as well take back the $4.7 billion of tax payer money the government allocated to the national broadband rollout as well hey Ian?

[ngcles]

Hi All,

I didn't vote in this poll.

I'm not going to express an opinion.

I am going to make many of you jealous.

Working at Sydney Observatory does carry a few perks as part of the job ...

In 2000, 2001 and 2002 I worked at the NYE Powerhouse Member's function at Sydney Observatory -- $85- a head including just nibbles and a few glasses of bubbles. The grounds of the observatory offer an excellent view of the display and are perhaps only bettered by the Opera House because they have a front-on view of the bridge. But ...

The staff on these nights don't mingle with the crowds in the grounds to watch the display, oh-no we watched them from the top of the time-ball tower -- almost at the same height as the top of the bridge ... and you can see all the 4-5 displays from the east harbour to nearly Paramatta. You almost feel immersed by the harbour/city display because you are over 100m higher than sea-level. You almost feel inside it becasue of the vantage point. Even the Opera House forecourt doesn't offer that.

Better still, I got paid $35- an hour for 7 hrs to endure this torture, had a reserve parking spot inside the grounds and then to avoid the midnight traffic (when the guests left), spent the night in the obs asleep under the stars in our planetarium.

Life can be tough sometimes ... :P


Best,

Les D

[renormalised]

Hey Les, next time you have a do like that, invite us all along so we can "rough" it as well:P:D

[Octane]

Les,

There's people in this thread who would wish to take that away from you, you know?

Lucky you. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[GrahamL]

Lifes tough alright Les :thumbsup:

A friend sailing up the coast ( 60 footer) stopped in the harbour just before new years to rest up a little and grab some fuel . When he told the guy at marina he was going to head off , he asked him if he was mad and suggested he put an add on the notice board offering a charter to watch the fireworks .

A couple of cases of champers and some cheese and nibblys
and $150 a head , I think he took out 22 or more people that night who really enjoyed the evening and wanted to book him for the following year. :)

[Astro78]

Yes, yes indeed you have Les.

A mate at Uni's fiancée had grandparents that used to live at the observatory. He was Australia's head astronomer or similar title.

That's my dream - to live there and be the crazy old dude taking night tours. No offence (or insudo) on the crazy part Les, just my dream to grow eccentric in style ;)