Diamonds in the sky

Proudly framed on the wall of Katrina Marton’s office is the front page of The New York Times from 1 January of this year. It features a photo of the spectacular fireworks over Sydney Harbour with the beating heart adorning the bridge.

Marton can’t hide her smile as she points it out and, as the producer of the New Year’s Eve extravaganza, her pride is certainly justified.

That is my pride and joy up there, she beams. To get that was just fantastic. After last year’s fireworks, I crawled back to my room and just lay on the bed watching CNN, and they kept replaying what we had done.

I thought, -˜We really have blown everyone out of the water with this.’

Last year was Marton’s first time as producer of the country’s biggest annual event and she is now preparing for her second effort.

This year’s theme is A Diamond Night in Emerald City, celebrating not only the New Year but also the 75th birthday of the centrepiece of the fireworks display, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

While Marton refuses to elaborate about the strange shapes currently being built on the bridge, they look suspiciously like a diamond and a coat hanger -“ which would be a reference to the bridge’s nickname.

The event also has a decidedly camp theme this year, with references to the classic Judy Garland movie The Wizard Of Oz.

There is no greater stage in the world to hold an event like we have with Sydney Harbour, and the Bridge is like the best piece of lighting truss you could ever hope for. It is a gift to work with.

Marton is no stranger to lighting rigs, having been producer of ceremonies for the Gay Games 2002, as well as executive producer of 15 Mardi Gras and Sleaze Ball parties through the 1990s.

Of the many things I learnt at Mardi Gras, the most important was learning how to make a triumph out of adversity and make great things out of a little, she recalls.

I have always believed in public events celebrations. The thing I love now about New Year’s Eve is how the goodwill generated on that night does have a big impact across the city and for Sydneysiders, it is sense of pride in our city.

It is a case of -˜aren’t we lucky to live here’, and it is important that feeling resonates in all areas of the community.

Details of the New Year’s Eve celebration are available here.