Sydney defied predictions of a gloomy 2009 with its biggest ever New Year party and midnight fireworks display, watched by some 1.5 million revellers on the glittering harbour and surrounds.

The theme for the celebrations was Creation and the centrepiece a pyrotechnic storm over Australia’s biggest city, with firework simulations of lightning, thunder and rain, all linked to Aboriginal creation myths.

“(It’s) looking at what’s happened before, where we’re going as a nation,” creative director Rhoda Roberts said.

About 120,000 firework shells and shooting comets were exploded in the $3.45 million display, launched from barges, buildings and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The party, one of the first to kick off New Year celebrations around the world, came against economist warnings that up to one million Australians will be unemployed by the end of 2009 as joblessness spikes from 4.4 per cent to near eight per cent.

Melbourne, Australia’s second-biggest city, was also seeking to defy the rocky economic outlook and rival Sydney with a $3.2 million sell-out “oak of love” dance party attracting 40,000 revellers dressed in white to an indoor arena.

Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard did not join the main celebrations as the centre-left government looked ahead to dealing with the fallout of the financial crisis and protecting jobs in 2009.

Reuters