ABC’s Design Your Own Firework competition

ABC ME is again inviting kids to Design Your Own Firework in a New Year’s Eve fireworks competition.

The competition, in conjunction with the City of Sydney, is open to Aussie children aged 16 years and under. One winner will see their design come to life over Sydney Harbour and gets the honour of pushing the ‘start button’ on the family fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “This is Australia’s night of the year, enjoyed by millions around the world, and for a child to be part of this wonderful evening is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I can’t wait to see the winning entry light up the sky on New Year’s Eve.”

ABC Director of Television, David Anderson, said: “Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks displays is a highly anticipated event, and one of the best in the world. The ABC is thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity once again. With such a sought after prize, the challenge is on for Aussie kids to send in some amazing and unique designs.”

To enter, kids are invited to put their imaginations to the test and draw a unique firework design. The design demonstrating the most creativity, effort and potential to be reproduced as a firework within the display, will be announced as the winner.

The winner will receive a trip to Sydney for a family of four that includes tickets to the Sydney New Year’s Eve official Dawes Point viewing area and the chance to be part of the live ABC NYE broadcast at 9pm.

The winning design will be brought to life by Foti International Fireworks, the company that has delivered Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve displays since 1997. Master pyrotechnician Fortunato Foti says bringing a child’s firework design to life is an exciting challenge.

His advice to budding designers is to look at the world around you for inspiration. “Design comes from imagination. Sometimes it’s just about looking at the environment such as a simple flower and seeing if it can be turned into a firework.” Mr Foti said.

“I love seeing what kids’ imaginations come up with. I can’t wait to see what designs they come up with this year,” Mr Foti said.

Entries close Monday August 21 at abc.net.au/nye with ABC ME’s News to Me to announce the winner on Sunday 17 September 2017.