No plans for New Year’s Eve fireworks show in 2019

THE Dubbo Fireworks New Year’s Eve party will be no more but the volunteer committee behind the event hopes people will remember the great times had.

The committee had to cancel the New Year’s Eve 2018 event nearly three weeks ago due to real safety concerns over the enormous dust storm that hit the city late that afternoon.

Thanks to community support in previous years, the organising committee has been able to make significant donations to various community groups. It’s also worth a mention that, thanks to Dubbo’s lead, many other towns in the region are now hosting their own end-of-year fireworks parties, bringing joy to thousands.

Dubbo Fireworks Inc released a detailed statement this week to bring the community up to date on the event and the committee’s future.

“Dubbo Fireworks have confirmed that the show planned for New Year’s Eve will not be rescheduled after severe weather conditions caused Dubbo’s community celebrations to be cancelled on December 31, 2018,” the statement said.

“The volunteer-run event at Apex Oval normally sees crowds of up to 8000 people, but the decision was made to cancel the event to ensure safety of people and property.

“Dubbo Fireworks says that a lack of resources, including funds and new committee members, are behind the decision not to reschedule.

“Creditors will be paid, with remaining funds being distributed amongst organisations benefitting the Dubbo community including the Volunteer Rescue Association and Rural Fire Service.

“The small committee, after five years, is also dissolving, with no plans to hold an event in 2019.

“Nobody had volunteered to lead the event after several attempts to find a successor to current committee Chairman Peter Judd. The team of five had hoped to see their final event go out with a bang, and are disappointed to have put in days of work and not had the reward of a great fireworks show,” the statement continued.

“It’s the look on the children’s faces when they see the sky light up that makes it all worthwhile,” committee member Lee Judd said.

Bringing together almost 120 volunteers on the day of the event each year, the event drew in thousands of attendees from Dubbo and elsewhere.

Visitors to Dubbo attending the event resulted in a $250,000 boost to the Dubbo region economy each New Year’s Eve. The team of five raised over $30,000 over the five years for community organisations.

Chairman Peter Judd said he’s proud of what the volunteer committee has achieved since its inception in 2013.

The committee also expressed gratitude to all the sponsors over the years, especially major sponsors Roger and Gail Fletcher, and everyone who attended the events.