Creative director Rhoda Roberts Bridge effect The Sun Network Network Ten | Theme "Creation" Composer(s) Peewee Ferris | |
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Fireworks by Foti International Fireworks | ||
Sydney New Year's Eve 2008–09 was the 14th Sydney New Year's Eve held at Sydney Harbour on the evening of 31 December 2008 and in the early hours of 1 January 2009. It was the final year in a three-year deal that Network Ten would broadcast the event and was co-hosted by Kim Watkins and Andrew Günsberg for their second consecutive year. On 9 December 2008, the theme was revealed to be "Creation" with fireworks produced once again by Foti International Fireworks. This was Rhoda Roberts' first year as creative director.
Contents
9pm Family Fireworks
The celebrations kicked off at 8:30pm AEDT with cheerleaders performing a karaoke classic, deciding not to use Auld Lang Syne, instead using an adapted version of a Toni Basil song, Mickey, with lyrics starting with "Hey Sydney, you're so fine, you're so fine, you blow my mind." It was choreographed by Jason Coleman, a judge on So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Aboriginal singer and ARIA-winner Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu performed an expanded Acknowledgment of Country. For the first time, the countdown numbers on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons went sideways (left) instead of going vertical (upwards).
When the fireworks display finished, an evening star appeared as the 9pm bridge effect on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After the 9pm fireworks display, the Harbour of Light Parade went across the harbour and The Presets performed their 2007 single, My People. An interview with Will Smith was recorded promoting his new film Seven Pounds. Sandra Sully did a recording of some of the news that made headlines in 2008. Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, made yet another appearance at the event to talk to Kim Watkins about the theme of "Creation" and what it was all about.
Midnight Fireworks
The midnight show started off with another performance choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance Australia judge Jason Coleman, with "You Can't Stop the Beat". Kim Watkins and Andrew Günsberg, then Fuzzy and James Kerley then introduced themselves again. 2006 Australian Idol runner-up Jessica Mauboy performed "Burn". Before the Midnight segment of the telecast started, Andrew Günsberg visited a few people on boats in the harbour, even dancing with a few revellers briefly. Then, new creative director Rhoda Roberts made her first appearance at the event. She said that she "wanted to see something that links us all together and of course Creation has done that". The midnight display would cost A$5,000,000. Other effects to be featured were the Creation storm, thunder and lightning effects. After Andrew Günsberg and Kim Watkins spoke to Rhoda Roberts, Sandra Sully again did another recording of some of the events that made headlines in 2008. Natalie Bassingthwaighte performed "Alive". Then, the countdown began for the midnight fireworks.
The Bridge Effect was revealed to be the sun. The fireworks display was considered one of the best in the world. Natalie Bassingthwaighte returned to perform her new single "Someday Soon". Afterwards, Jessica Mauboy performed "Running Back". Michelle Bridges and Shannan Ponton from The Biggest Loser Australia appeared on the show.