All the action of New Year’s Eve in Victoria
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the CBD for New Year’s Eve celebrations and Victoria Police praised the overall crowd behaviour, however there were several incidents of aggression against paramedics.
Victoria
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Victorians have gathered in huge numbers to welcome in 2024.
Hundreds of thousands of revellers flocked to the city, enjoying food and drinks by the Yarra River, with many arriving early to secure a prime spot for the fireworks.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Grainger praised the overall crowd behaviour.
“There were only a small number of people who did the wrong thing, but they were dealt with swiftly by police, so the atmosphere was in no way spoiled,” he said.
“We also saw great crowd behaviour at suburban and regional community celebrations, with people taking responsibility for their own behaviour and looking out for their friends.”
Ambulance Victoria said there was a spike in callouts on New Year’s Eve and some cases of aggressive behaviour.
The agency’s acting director emergency management Brett Drummond said while the majority of people were well-behaved, paramedics “were faced with aggression on a number of occasions”.
“It’s people like this who make it unsafe for our paramedics and first responders to help those in need,” he said.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated.”
He said call outs rose on New Year’s Eve – including cases for falls, intoxication and minor traumatic injuries including some assaults – but their extra resources managed the increase “well” and “overall Victorians behaved safely”.
“Paramedics had a busy New Year’s Eve with an increased number of cases overnight, both in the CBD and spread out across Melbourne and the suburbs,” he said.
“Many of the cases we attended were falls, intoxication, minor traumatic injuries including some assaults, and medical related cases.
“Overall, Victorians behaved safely and we’re pleased we didn’t need to respond to more serious incidents throughout the night.
“While the number and type of cases seen by paramedics in the CBD were similar to previous years, we saw safety improvements to the city’s New Year’s event which reduced some challenges for our paramedics and ensured they could safely get to those who needed care in crowded areas.”
He also urged Victorians to save triple 0 for emergencies – pointing to alternatives like nurse on call or the Victorian virtual emergency department – and take the pressure of healthcare workers this summer by drinking water regularly, wearing a hat and sunscreen and keeping cool.
Victorians ring in 2024 with loved ones
People packed the four main celebration zones of Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Kings Domain.
At the Treasury Gardens celebration zone, families sprawled across the grass enjoying the atmosphere.
Furniture maker Luke Evans was celebrating with his family and old school friends.
The father of two said they usually watched the fireworks from the Abbotsford Convent near their Kew home, but this year came into the city to spend time with mates.
“I haven’t caught up with everyone in a bit, with the Christmas rush. It’s good to get out,” he said.
“It’s hectic with a two-year-old and a four-year-old so we’re trying to make the most of it.”
Revellers were decked out in glow sticks and waved bubble blowers while listening to live music.
There was a flurry of excitement at 8.35pm when fireworks launched earlier than expected.
Children went running to catch sight of the explosions but were left disappointed by the barely visible sparkles in the daylight.
The City of Melbourne on Monday announced it would investigate why the fireworks had been set off an hour earlier than planned.
The display, off the IBM building in Southbank, was discharged at 8.30pm.
The City of Melbourne said it was the only rooftop across the CBD to discharge early.
A spokeswoman said the council and pyrotechnics company Howard and Sons would work together to conduct a review and understand why the mishap happened.
Acting Premier Ben Carroll said he liked the idea of having fireworks set off earlier.
“As someone with a young person, I’d welcome more fireworks at 8.30pm, rather than at midnight,” he said.
Asked about a minor crowd crush outside Flinders Street Station, Mr Carroll defended the state’s preparedness for the event.
“We’ve done a lot of work with major events this year. Any learnings we can do out of that too for New Year’s Eve as a major event, we will certainly take on board and always try and improve year on year,” he said.
“By and large, we are very pleased with the behaviour of Victorians right across our state but we’ll also monitor and see what we can do to improve future years.”
Mr Carroll said the public transport network managed to cope with the increased demand.
“It’s very pleasing today that we had an incident-free network,” he said.
Closer to 9.30pm, cheers erupted as a 90-second countdown began before fireworks began to explode across the skyline.
The five-minute long spectacle was met with cries of excitement from the gathered crowd.
Mr Evans’ partner Paige Roberts said the show was suitable for the young audience gathered in the gardens.
“They were a bit low in the sky but they were great for the kids,” she said.
Psychologist Hien Nguyen said she and her kids were a bit underwhelmed by the show.
“We were hoping for a bit more pop. Pun intended. I wanted them to come right over the top of us,” the mother of two said.
“We were in a much better spot this year though … Last year we were on the other side and the trees were blocking them. We had to run across the park to see them.”
Others enjoyed the sun in holiday hotspots such as Phillip Island and Warrandyte.
The sunshine will continue into the New Year with temperatures expected to hit 25C on Monday.
The City of Melbourne and the state government spent $4.4m on festivities, $400,000 more than last year.
Authorities were out in force, with thousands of police officers rostered on.
Roads were closed in the CBD as hired security tried to divert the massive crowds into one-directional foot traffic.
A sole protester waving a Palestinian flag and blasting music from a speaker was moved on from Flinders St by staff wearing hi-vis.
Mum Sheila Matino kicked off the final countdown to the end of the year by going for a walk with her family, before visiting South Melbourne market.
“We’re going to a friend’s home to make homemade pizza and hopefully we’ll catch the fireworks from Brighton beach,” she said.
Ms Matino’s son Jarrod and husband Joe, were joined by their niece and cousin Sarah Saizi from Belgium this year to enjoy the festive season.
“I’m looking forward to a happier and healthier new year and am looking forward to spending quality time with the family,” Ms Matino said.
Meanwhile, Melbourne newcomers Tiernan O’Brien and Holly, Rachel and Ian Deakin launched their first New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city by enjoying lunch beside the Yarra.
The family and Ms O’Brien’s boyfriend Tiernan moved to Melbourne from Ireland six months ago.
“In Ireland, we could only watch fireworks on the TV so it would be amazing to see the fireworks in real life,” she said.
Ms O’Brien said her New Year’s resolution was to settle into Melbourne.
“I’m excited to experience the Australian Open and a lot more concerts,” she said.
“It’s very different to life back at home and I’m excited to immerse myself into the culture.”
Josh Kinch had set up a picnic on the banks of the Yarra River by 5pm, though he hadn’t planned out the night beyond that.
“We just thought we’d follow the crowds,” he said.
“Judging by the people here already it’s a good spot.”
He said he was looking forward to seeing the fireworks in the city for the first time after moving from Tasmania in 2020.
“I came over a few weeks before Covid,” he said.
“This is new for me, I haven’t experienced it in the city.”
Clyde resident Nilo Qalandari said about 30 of her extended family would be joining her by the river, a tradition that had been going for over ten years.
“We’ve been here since 3pm … (we stay) until midnight,” she said
“We had to get here early to make sure we’ve got a place because there’s so many of us.”
The 21-year-old and her relatives had come prepared with eskies, picnic chairs and rugs.
Pizza had been ordered to keep everyone full for the night ahead and the kids rode Lime scooters along the river’s edge to pass the time.
“We’ve got it all worked out now, it’s become like a tradition,” Ms Qalandari said.
Recent university graduate Sophie Matheson started the last day of 2023 by enjoying a stroll with her friend Charlotte Retford around the Yarra River.
“(We decided) to end the year in a nice little way,” Ms Matheson said.
The 22-year-old just completed a university degree in nutrition science and said she wants to volunteer in Cambodia and Africa in the new year.
“I am looking forward to travelling the world (in 2024) as I’ve just graduated uni,” she said.
“It’s been a great year. I’ve learnt a lot and I’m ready for the next chapter without uni and can’t wait to see where life goes.”
Ms Matheson’s last hope for 2023 is to catch the fireworks near the Yarra tonight, following a BBQ at her friend’s house.
Sadeen Almanasir, 20, from Melbourne, and Samaja Poskrobko, 24, from the South East, were having a very special New Year’s Eve on the Phillip Island foreshore.
The childhood friends said they had reunited after about 18 years apart.
“We grew up together,” said Ms Almanasir.
“Our parents were very close and she moved away when she was younger,” Ms Poskrobko said.
But Ms Almanasir is now back in Melbourne, studying special infrastructure engineering systems and urban planning at the University of Melbourne.
Ms Poskrobko said the old friends planned to spend the evening “hanging out”.
“This was quite spontaneous,” she said.
“We’ll go check out the fireworks.”
Both said they were excited for 2024.
Ms Poskrobko said she had “a lot in the books for 2024.”
“I’m planning to go house shopping,” she said.
“I do want to get a house. So that’s one of my goals.
“So that’s probably one of the biggest things, and I’ll probably travel.”
Ms Poskrobko said she had a “great 2023”.
“I got promoted, got the pay rise I wanted,” she said.
“I finally got my new car that took two years to get to Australia, and I travelled this year also.
“It was a good year overall, it was a good, chunky year.”
The old friends said further catch-ups were “definitely” on the cards for 2024.
“We’re already planning for drinks next weekend,” said Ms Poskrobko.
Across the road at the Hotel Phillip Island restaurant and bar, Codee MacDonald, 32, and his friends were getting ready to ring in the new year.
Mr MacDonald said he and his friends had rented a house on Phillip Island and were planning a “reasonably chill” night in with a barbecue.
Mr MacDonald said he was “excited for 2024” and spending more time with his friends.
“I think it’s going to be good,” he said.
Sisters Sarah Palmer, 43, and Jessica Paul, 46, from Korumburra were enjoying a cocktail together at the Hotel Phillip Island to celebrate the last evening of 2023.
They said they were on holiday in Phillip Island, and were planning on enjoying the 9.30pm fireworks.
Both said they were looking forward to 2024.
Ms Paul said there were “lots of good things on the horizon” and both said they were looking forward to more travel in the new year.
Ms Paul said she was planning a big drive through the middle of Australia up to Broome, while Ms Palmer was hoping to head to Bali.
Hayden Bruce, 25, who is a Phillip Island local, was enjoying dinner and drinks at the pub with his family.
He said they would watch the fireworks together on the Cowes foreshore later on.
2023 was a great year for Mr Bruce, who got engaged and had his first child.
He said he was “absolutely” looking forward to 2024.
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