Newcastle’s biggest bonfire was a raging success last night, raising about $10,000 for the homeless.
It’s estimated that up to 15,000 people turned out for the event at the city’s foreshore park, watching the six metre-high structure light up the night sky.
this was a great night where the church and theb city came as one to celerbrate the name of jesus christ… amen
Not really agreeing that this was a great night. The fencing around the fire needed to be further out, once the wind blew those flames and embers flew across onto my jacket, hair and my daughters face, I really didnt feel like spending anymore time or money at this venue, I believe this was poorly organized, and the fact that the water truck was outside of the fencing and a path had to be cleared in order for it to get near the fire is ridiculous, What if it couldnt get in quicker???? This should have been on standby…We are lucky people walked away uninjured! As for my blanket that now has holes through it from bits of wood that blew out from the fire!! I am glad it was my blanket and not my children! I spent exactly 27 minutes at this venue… And will not attend another one held on the foreshore!!
This was an amazing night! Wanna thank all who put it together! Was for such a great cause! From start to finish my experience was amazing, and the atmosphere of the crowd was great!!! The fire was so impressive and its great to go out to such a big event in town and feel so safe!!Thankyou organisers of newcastles biggest bonfire! It was great to be able to gather together as a city to support those doing it tough in our region, and to be apart of something bigger then ourselves!
After reading Amanda’s pathetic response and down right petty remarks to be frank, I did not even attend this event but when I watched the Bulletin, I was glad that someone cared enough to go the mile and put that much effort in for an event that obviously has not been done or attempted before.
So what if every thing wasn’t a hundred percent perfect! 15,000 people is quite a number and I think that in it’s self is a testimony to what a a great job done everyone did by being involved in such an event.
I really don’t think my response was pathetic, I absolutely agree it was for a great cause, otherwise I wouldn’t have been there, and I certainly contributed to the $10,000 that was made on the night!! I also didn’t expect it to be PERFECT as you put it Mia.. My concern was for the safety of the public, and I feel this could have been managed better.. I do hope that this is taken into consideration when they plan next, and I like you MIA will stay home and watch it on TV… What this video clip does not show was the kids in the jumping castle, and the kids on the bungee jumping copping burning embers in their faces…Which I have on film myself! So please if you didn’t attend please do not remark that my comments are pathetic.. You were not there after all, and I am sure that if you were, you would have made a bee line to the nearest exit, as people were literally getting burning embers stuck to their clothes.
Hi all,
Mia I wished you were there to see it.
I have to say that both my partner and I burnt our faces slightly and the St.John ambulance attended to both of us on the night on site.
They were many others there too.
It was a good night but we feel this was poorly organized.The fencing was not far enough and a lot of others were worried and left early like we did.
The young men that were doing the act also got slightly burnt and were seeking help and they said they lost their cameras and gear in the fire and one one them was worried that as he almost had to jump the fence to get out as there was not enough exits.
It was lucky no one was seriously burnt.
It was the heat and the ambers that concerned us.
We agree with Amanda and we were worried for the kids.
There was a young girl there about 10 years old who had burnt her chest slighlt.
We like to thank all the St.john’s Ambulance people who looked after us.
We attended the event but decided not to enter and sat outside the fence line and could see the result from the bonfire which I caught on film. I feel that people where very lucky to escape and the childrens rides did not catch alight as well.
It is ashame that people get detered from these events which are much needed in our city.
We will return next year and do the same thing as before and lets all hope that the organisers can allow for mother natures gustly winds in deciding where the fire shall be placed in relation to other attractions.
Maybe a large round fire could be better than an a very tall one, it would still be named newcastles biggest bonfire or series of small bonfires and name it something else.
Whatever it maybe we will support events like these as they are much needed and if they dont continue then how can event organisers get it right?
After all we are only human and we are not perfect.
So I hope Amanda has another go again next with her children and those who dont attend events like these I hope they have a go as well and with this years event in mind hopefully no one gets hurt again