Midnight and the New Year, not to mention the much disputed 'New Millenium' was only (nice use of the word 'only' some thought) thirteen hours away. Luckily, contrary to the form of the previous week's weather we had blue skies with strong sunlight. However the skies did cloud over from time to time and were accompanied by the occsional strong winds which sent novelty hats and other lightweight items flying. None of this dampened the spirits of the crowd that gathered by the thousands every hour. 

Mike seemed to be the only person around who had the forethought on our marathon wait-a-thon to bring along a portable stereo. Even when we switched it off for a while to conserve the batteries we had requests from nearby parties to switch it on again. 

The real party and community spirit came to the forefront when Mike produced a rubber coated sponge ball from his sports bag and the five of us started to play our own mini handball game. You can imagine that as we are all seated on the ground, we have little real control of where the ball goes. consequently it's not too long before the game spreads at first to the neighbouring groups who initially just throw the ball back our way but then to people stretching to the far end of the Tarpeian precinct. Not before long literally hundreds of people are playing the biggest game of handball I have ever seen. Someone catches the ball the crowd cheers, they throw the ball and the crowd oohs in anticipation of where it will land next. Twice the ball went over the side of the precinct into the Harbour front twenty feet below us and although it took bit of coaxing and a huge crowd up top chanting, 'Give us the ball! Give us the ball!' the first time around, we did manage to get it back both times. When the ball became stuck in a tree for the second time it seemed an appropriate time to call time out before the ball was gone forever - much to the disappointment of the rest of the crowd. By this time seven hours had gone by and only three hours remained until the first set of fireworks. 

The first firework display was at nine O'clock mainly for the younger spectators. As the sun went down and the sky darkened dusk through night a laser-light show played on one of the supporting pillars of the Harbour Bridge announcing the impending firework display and wishing everyone a Happy New Millenium from the City of Sydney and the sponsors of the event. 

Just before 9:00 the first fireworks lit up the 2:10AM 1/5/80sky and this first wave of pyrotechnics well appeased the long-waiting audience. Cries from the back appealing for late comers who were standing on the footpath in the front to sit down were generally well received and these wishes were enforced by the local event security. For fifteen minutes the skies were lit up by a plentitude of pyrotechnia which captured the breath of everone present. Explosions of all colours and shapes showered the Harbour and illuminated the celebratory lantern floats below. These huge floating lanterns were shaped like fish, octopus and other creatures and looked beautiful sailing around the harbour, casting multicoloured reflections on the water. 

The first wave of fireworks lasted a full fifteen minutes and was accompanied by a cheering one million people in and around the harbour. The excitement in the air was evident. This was it. This was going to be the day that so many of us had thought about for so long. What would be the real effect of the Year 2000? The answer was less than three hours away. 

At around 11:50 the radio played '1999' by that character previously known as 'Prince' (or was it Victor?) and we were getting keyed up to do some serious cheering. Our throats already well used because of the handball game and the 9:00 fireworks were about to be put through their paces again. Nearer midnight Mike had his ear right next to the stereo to listen to and lead the countdown. This was our only indication. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! The audience was on it's feet and no end of 'please sit down' chants from the back would make it change it's mind. 

It's a tradition here in Oz, or so I've learnt not to go home until the Sun has risen on New Year's, so what better place to see the Sun rise than the ove the horizon of the sea. We made our way to Bondi Beach and sat in Mike's car as it had started raining a little heavier. Despite the rain many people were on the beach and some of the 'suits' who'd attended the celebrations actually at the Opera House were on the beach and stripped down to nature's own, braving the ice cold morning sea.