Should they rethink - Fireworks Displays

[FredSnerd (Claude)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Nah, it's exactly what you mean Dave. You don't think that business is a good thing to support -

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 (David)]

Originally Posted by slippo74

BTW for only 500k I can perform a jump from the bridge naked and with fireworks in my ......

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

[MrB (Simon)]

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]

Originally Posted by 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) Take care until that day

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 (Andrew)]

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 ...


Best,

Les D

[renormalised (Carl)]

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

[Octane (Humayun)]

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

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]

Originally Posted by ngcles

I am going to make many of you jealous.

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