Australia Day Fireworks Light Up the Fremantle Skies

FREMANTLE businesses are hailing the port city's Australia Day fireworks and associated Freo Fiesta a success, after banding together to ensure a pyrotechnics display on January 26.

Fremantle BID (Business Improvement District), in conjunction with the Fremantle Harbour Traders Group, ensured the annual fireworks display - now in its 10th year - continued, also making it part of the four-day Freo Fiesta.

While the 42C heat kept crowds away until late afternoon, numbers swelled after the local "Freo Doctor" sea breeze came in.

Organisers believe numbers were similar to previous years with an estimated 20,000 people in Fremantle and surrounding areas enjoying the show.

"With this year's show put together after Fremantle council withdrew support, local businesses banded together to put on the fireworks - and it didn't disappoint," Fremantle BID chair Karl Bullers said.

"The mini-sideshow alley, antique carousel and free water slides on Bathers Beach were a hit with families throughout the heat of the day and then local pyrotechnic company Cardile International Fireworks topped it off by producing an unbelievable show.

"The Australian Army Swing Band provided a wonderful repertoire of Australian and international classics and the audience responded enthusiastically to Neville Collard's Welcome to Country and anecdotes about growing up as a young man in Fremantle.

Event Health Management director Hugh Singe added: "There were no incidents at a well-run and organised event that had a family-friendly atmosphere, which was a pleasure to work at."

Mr Bullers said Fremantle traders had a vision of utilising the local Australia Day fireworks to create a special festival that would be presented in a community-friendly style, consistent with the Fremantle way of life.

"The Fremantle fireworks and Freo Fiesta have attracted widespread coverage, making them valuable marketing tools that position Fremantle as a colourful, vibrant and exciting place to visit," he said.

"Events such as this attract visitors from outside the immediate Fremantle catchment area, as well as locals, making them extremely important to the local economy."

The Freo Fiesta continues on January 27, 28 and 29. A complete schedule is at fremantlestory.com.au.

To post a comment, you must register and login.