ID :
38446
Thu, 01/01/2009 - 16:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/38446
The shortlink copeid
Australians give hearty welcome to 2009
Australians took Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's advice and enthusiastically welcomed
the start of 2009.
Spectacular fireworks, fine weather, and plenty of good cheer - despite the global
financial crisis - marked celebrations around the country.
Mr Rudd, in his New Year's message, had urged Australians to go into 2009 with
optimism and energy.
"As we enter 2009, we know it will be a very tough year for the global economy. And
it will be a tough year for Australia as well," he said.
"We're a tough people, we're a resilient people and in hard times we also care for
each other and for other members of the community.
"Let us each have a restful break this holiday season and let us enter 2009 with
optimism and with renewed energy."
Sydney's world famous harbour fireworks displays attracted a record crowd of up to
1.5 million locals and tourists.
They are the country's biggest fireworks show, but all major cities put on
pyrotechnic displays to wow the crowds.
Police around the country reported the big crowds were mostly well-behaved.
More than 70 people were charged with more 1,000 offences in Sydney's metropolitan
area overnight but assistant commissioner Catherine Burn said revellers were
"generally well-behaved".
"It is good to be standing here without a major incident or major catastrophe or any
major problems," Ms Burn said.
In Melbourne, hundreds of thousands lined the Yarra river for the midnight show,
with fireworks streaming from the roofs of city skyscrapers and the Bolte Bridge.
Up to 40,000 revellers, all dressed in white, celebrated at Sensation, a dance party
at Telstra Dome billed as one of Australia's largest New Year's Eve events.
But one Australian decided to ring in 2009 in a slightly more dramatic fashion.
Daredevil motorcycle rider Robbie Maddison successfully completed a stunt in Las
Vegas, speeding down the Las Vegas strip outside the Paris Casino at 90km/h,
launching up a giant ramp and flying 37m in the air and landing on top of a replica
of France's iconic monument, the Arc de Triomphe.
The stunt was equivalent to jumping on a 10-storey apartment building.
After landing safely, the 27-year-old showman from the coastal NSW township of Kiama
performed one last death-defying stunt, dropping off the Arc de Triomphe and
free-falling to a landing ramp below.
the start of 2009.
Spectacular fireworks, fine weather, and plenty of good cheer - despite the global
financial crisis - marked celebrations around the country.
Mr Rudd, in his New Year's message, had urged Australians to go into 2009 with
optimism and energy.
"As we enter 2009, we know it will be a very tough year for the global economy. And
it will be a tough year for Australia as well," he said.
"We're a tough people, we're a resilient people and in hard times we also care for
each other and for other members of the community.
"Let us each have a restful break this holiday season and let us enter 2009 with
optimism and with renewed energy."
Sydney's world famous harbour fireworks displays attracted a record crowd of up to
1.5 million locals and tourists.
They are the country's biggest fireworks show, but all major cities put on
pyrotechnic displays to wow the crowds.
Police around the country reported the big crowds were mostly well-behaved.
More than 70 people were charged with more 1,000 offences in Sydney's metropolitan
area overnight but assistant commissioner Catherine Burn said revellers were
"generally well-behaved".
"It is good to be standing here without a major incident or major catastrophe or any
major problems," Ms Burn said.
In Melbourne, hundreds of thousands lined the Yarra river for the midnight show,
with fireworks streaming from the roofs of city skyscrapers and the Bolte Bridge.
Up to 40,000 revellers, all dressed in white, celebrated at Sensation, a dance party
at Telstra Dome billed as one of Australia's largest New Year's Eve events.
But one Australian decided to ring in 2009 in a slightly more dramatic fashion.
Daredevil motorcycle rider Robbie Maddison successfully completed a stunt in Las
Vegas, speeding down the Las Vegas strip outside the Paris Casino at 90km/h,
launching up a giant ramp and flying 37m in the air and landing on top of a replica
of France's iconic monument, the Arc de Triomphe.
The stunt was equivalent to jumping on a 10-storey apartment building.
After landing safely, the 27-year-old showman from the coastal NSW township of Kiama
performed one last death-defying stunt, dropping off the Arc de Triomphe and
free-falling to a landing ramp below.
