This Sydney New Year’s Eve our 9pm and midnight fireworks will honour Barangaroo, the Cammeraygal woman who led her people in the face of European colonisation.
Barangaroo’s experience, skill and leadership were legendary, and the female team behind this year’s celebrations are channelling her energy.
Calling Country, let the daughters shine
Yuin and Thungutti man Nooky is the curator of this year’s 9pm Calling Country fireworks display and soundtrack. But it’s the women in his life who are the stars, especially his two daughters Olivia (7) and Calula (6) who sing on the soundtrack.
“I wanted to give them the opportunity to get up here and show the world their culture and the strength they carry,” Nooky said.
“I felt a little bit afraid [to be on the soundtrack] ,” Calula said.
“But you’ve just got to stand up, tell them what you’re feeling, what your culture is and what you want to do.”
Renowned rapper Barkaa also has a hand in the Calling Country soundtrack.
“I was a bit nervous,” Olivia said, “and when I found out that my favourite singer [Barkaa] was on the song too, I really wanted to do it.”
3 women lighting up the New Year’s Eve sky
More than 9 tonnes of fireworks will light up Sydney’s skies this New Year’s Eve. Once again, the display will be the handiwork of Foti Fireworks, who have 8 generations of pyrotechnics experience under their belts.
Joining the team for New Year’s Eve for the first time is Nicolette Anatasio, one of the many women in the family-focused Foti team.
“I’m so excited to be joining my cousins Georgia and Elena this year. I’ll be in the control room alongside Georgia,” Nicolette said.
“The Sydney New Year’s eve fireworks are world famous, and every time I see them, I look up and think ‘this is our family, this is what we do’.”
The fireworks industry has a reputation for being male dominated, but among the Foti crew, the women of the family play a big role.
“We have more than a dozen women in the crew, and everyone plays a big role,” Georgia Rapisada said.
“We are all very vocal, and in terms of the ideas it’s very much a round table discussion. We get together, there’ll be coffee, maybe some Italian pastries, and everyone puts their ideas on the table.”
“I think that’s what makes it so effective – the ideas come fresh from your head, and each generation has their own perspective,” Nicolette said.
The duo behind the midnight soundtrack
Two of Australia’s leading female composers have taken up the challenge to create an epic soundtrack to welcome 2025.
Sydney-based composer Luna Pan and vocalist/composer Josie Mann’s 12-minute odyssey is the bedrock for this year’s fireworks display.
“Creating this soundtrack has been the best experience I’ve ever had as a composer,” Luna said.
“I’ve got to work with so many people, and it has been so rewarding.”
“Knowing that millions of people are going to be hearing your music, at the same time, for the very first time, is both amazing and pretty terrifying!”
For Josie Mann, who grew up in Sydney, there’s a special connection to the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
“Each year when I watch the fireworks I pay real attention to the soundtrack, so to have my own voice be heard this year by a global audience is a real privilege,” Josie said.
You can hear and see the incredible work of the women behind our New Year’s Eve celebrations on the ABC or listen along on KIIS 1065.
Or, of course, come in and see the it all in person! If you’re attending, make sure you plan your night early.
You can view details about vantage points, managed entry points, accessibility, transport, programming and more at sydneynewyearseve.com
Published 17 December 2024
