As always, New Year’s Eve celebrations went off with a bang on Saturday night with Father Anthony Koppman and his Holy Smoke team lighting up the Armidale sky with a blaze of pyrotechnic splendor to see in the new year.
A large crowd gathered at the Rologas Fields for the 9pm fireworks display and, like previous years, were not disappointed. Revellers were a little more subdued than in previous years, seeming more than happy to usher in a new year of possibilities and leave 2011 well and truly behind them.
Darren Thomas from the Wicklow Hotel who along with Armidale Dumaresq Council has generously brought the fireworks display to Armidale for the past seven years is pleased that he can give something back to the community.
“We got Anthony involved about seven years ago and decided that it was a great opportunity to say thank you,” said Darren Thomas.
“We look forward to it every year, we don’t want the accolades it is just something that we do, it has grown to what you see tonight.
“Everyone loves the 9pm fireworks with Anthony, the family comes out, that’s what we are about, the midnight fireworks are for everyone else who really love their New Year’s Eve.”
Although party goers were down across the different venues from previous years the night was still enjoyed by many. The Armidale Bowling Club was the place to be for dancing with DJ Peter Raymond cranking out the classic hits and in the auditorium there was live music. Earlier in the evening the Armidale Ex-Services Club was full with people enjoying dinner at the bistro.
The New England Local Area Command have reported excellent behavior from New Year’s Eve revellers with only one incident after the 9pm fireworks at the Rologas Fields where two party goers who were intoxicated allegedly assaulted police and were subsequently arrested. From December 31, 2011 to January 1, 2012 400 random breath tests were conducted with no PCA arrests.
Story: Jo Harrison
