It’s safe to say that my new year’s evenings have changed quite dramatically over the last few years. There have been some BIG nights in the past. Nights of much celebration, probably too much alcohol, dawn homecomings and huge frivolity. I can safely say last night was not one of them.
We went to friends early in the evening, there were more children than adults – we ate good food, walked to a good vantage point to watch the 9pm fireworks and I behaved like the biggest nanna on earth when I saw 14 year old KIDS drinking on the streets. It took every bit of restraint not to lecture them. If only I had their parent’s numbers….
I think my outrage aged me. It certainly tired me so much that at 10pm I was ready to leave. That’s me – the party animal.
As midnight chimed I was lying in bed with my son sleeping at my side (he had tried so hard to wake up and watch the fireworks on TV) , my husband was lying on the other side of him and my dog was lying on my feet. I couldn’t think of a better way to see the new year in. In fact if all the days of 2012 are spent with the people I love around me – I’ll be a happy woman.
Meanwhile in Melbourne New Year’s Eve ended rather more dramatically for some. New.com reports
Melbourne’s Arts Centre spire has caught fire in a dramatic conclusion to the city’s New Year’s Eve fir
eworks display.
The fire appeared to be caused by a firework that failed to discharge properly during the spectacular show, which was witnessed by more than half a million people.
The area around the Arts Centre was evacuated immediately following the end of the of the fireworks.
If you missed the fireworks in Sydney and you want to watch them – we have them right here
And if you want to see what was happening around the world, well we have that too – we’ll be updating it during the day as the rest of the world catches up to us 
The stunning Sydney Harbour bridge
How was your night last night? What did you do?
And Happy New Year to every single one of you.
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93 Comments so far
Drinks at the yacht club, wine and tapas at a little wine bar and then onto a yacht for even more wine and fireworks. All very casual but lots of fun and good to catch up with good friends.
I have never been a NY resolution person before, but I am promising to be kinder to myself this year (and cut back on insane work hours).
Happy 2012 to all!
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I had a hair cut and lunch at a local Japanese restaurant with my family afterwards. I went out to dinner with my partner at Yarraville and then went for a stroll at Yarraville’s “Village”. We drove to Williamstown Beach, went for a walk there and had ice cream. Got home at 9.30 and spent some time with my family and family friends, watched Friends on DVD, played monopoly and watched fireworks from our balcony. Bed by 1 am!
One of the best NYE spent with my family and partner! Happy 2012!
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I spent NY in Southern France with some close family friends. My family met me here, and it’s the first time I’d seen them in 12 months (which I consider a feat in itself, especially at age 19). We drank red wine, ate duck confit and cheese, and kissed everybody in sight.
Nouvelle année heureuse!
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Went into the city with my gorgeous man. Think it is the first time I’ve ever been in the city for NYE. We had Tapas at Manly first, then caught the bus – just caught the tail end of the 9pm fireworks as we hit the bridge. Strolled about the Rocks, had a few bevies then looked for a good spot. I’m not fantastic in crowds but bloke never let go of my hand so I felt very safe. Watched the fireworks from a great spot, surrounded by people of all nationalities. What a beautiful city you are, Sydney. It was mine and bloke’s first NYE together, and it was lovely and special and romantic. Then we caught the ferry home to his and the craft on the harbor were all festooned with lights. Just a magic night.
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This new year’s was not about drinking, parties or even social gatherings. For us it was about family. We went to the Brighton Beach in Adelaide for a picnic dinner and paddled until sunset. Then when it got dark we cracked open some glow sticks and waited for 9:30 family fireworks. It was our 3 yr olds first fireworks display and that was what it was all about for us. At 10pm on the drive home my partner and I agreed it was the best new year’s we had had in a long time. Couldn’t agree more Lana, if we keep this joy for all of 2012, it will be a great year.
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Good food, wine and music with my beautiful partner and closest friends at the Taste of Tasmania at the Hobart waterfront. Perfect
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How good is the taste this year? Lucky you.
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Fantastic! I went the year before last and wasn’t thrilled but this year is great.
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Put kids to bed as normal then watched Jersey Shore (my husband had taped it). Went to bed around 10pm but was woken up a few times leading up to 12am by someone up the street letting off flares and a bit of laughing and music. Up at 5.30am as usual for my 1/2 hour morning run and exercise. Just like any other day except going to a friend’s house for lunch. I can’t say we had a quiet N Y E because we have kids because we were having quiet N Y E’s in the years before the kids too. Let’s see how 2012 pans out….
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Hasn’t happened for me yet lol, we are still in 2011 people of the future
4.5hrs to go! Will be spending it at home with my husband 
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Another crazy new years for Lana – made burritos for the Boy and I, watched some NBA, sat with the puppies on the floor while they slept and we were in bed by 1130 cuddling with the man I love. Woke up at 2.30 when the dogs were barking because that’s when everyone in our street decided to come home….. Up at 9 to take them for a walk on this gorgeous morning. Couldnt think of a better way to bring in the new year!!
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We played some Warcraft together, I wasn’t feeling well so we had a protein powder smoothie for dinner, and we watched part 2 of Going Postal on TV (via ABC’s iView).
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I took K up to bed and fell asleep feeding her at about 7.30 or something, then woke up at about 1155, got up, watched the fireworks and went back to bed. Rock on.
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We had a huge day yesterday as it was Miss C’s 3rd Birthday. The party cranked on until 12..noon. We all then had a nanna nap.
Oh something else happened? I was in bed by 9pm. Something loud and noisy woke me up at midnight and then the baby woke at 3am but we all got a sleep in until 6.30am which was bliss.
I couldn’t have asked for a better night. Good riddance 2011. Bring it on 2012.
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For the first time in 20 years we didn’t attend a party and we didn’t have visitors to our house. My husband, daughter and myself spent the night eating yummy baked salmon while watching Mr Popper’s Penguins. My daughter struggled to stay awake to watch the 9pm fireworks on TV. After she took herself to bed we watched a movie, chewed down a glass of champagne and watched the midnight fireworks from the comfort of our bed. Woke up this morning with a spring in my step and went for a walk. Can confidently say spending NYE with my two favourite people has been the best by far.
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A night just like any other night, really. We had a big family party for my grandma’s 90th birthday at lunchtime, and the kids were so wiped out they just crashed!
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Spent from 6.30-8pm at the hospital with my son after he split his chin at the pool. Thankfully we were there early enough to miss the inevitable nye rush.
Then I put on my big blue wig and went to a friend’s fancy dress party (as Marge Simpson of course). A big Italian family, I loved seeing them all boogieing together – mums, dads, teenagers, grandparents.
Home in bed by 12.30, feeling the effects of too many bubbles this morning and letting the kiddies watch far too much tv
Happy new year everyone!
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I was asleep by 10 but woken up by bagpipes and illegal fireworks. Not long after that my 3 year old had a night terror closely followed by the 7 month old waking. So not a really peaceful sleep.
Good riddance to 2011. I’m hoping 2012 brings more happiness than sadness.
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I spent NYE in a psychiatric hospital weighed down with depression, just like last year. This is the third Christmas and New Year’s I’ve spent in here, alone. Holidays and festivites are hard for a lot of people with mental illness.
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Definitely, my aunt’s having another episode at the moment, it’s difficult to watch, let alone experience. I also think about all the people (especially kids) that are too sick to get out of hospital at this time of year, or people that are alone =( *hugs* I hope 2012 is better for you. =)
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Hugs.
I’ve “only” got anxiety and that’s difficult enough. Yay you for having the sense to go to hospital (or, if wasn’t your choice, for staying there). Feel better soon.
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I feel for you
However I am glad you were at least safe in hospital. I also struggle a lot at this time of year. It is made worse by comparing myself to everyone else who is so happy and joyful while I am stuck in depths of despair or anxiety and unable to enjoy anything !
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Thank you. And yes! I compare myself to others too and it does make it much worse. Good luck with finding some hope and calmness.
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I was all set to watch tv with a bottle of wine on the couch.. Got a drunken phone call from friends at 8:30 so ended up going out to a house party.
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Quiet midnight in bed after working in the busy ED…sad to see so many drunken presentations – not my idea of the best way to begin a new year!
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I read Twilight in bed, and at midnight I heard the fireworks go off in Canberra city, saw a bit from my balcony. I always get a little sad at new years eve but I dont’ know why, so I like quiet nights at home.
Happy New Year to everyone!
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I was asleep in bed by 10pm. I’m not all that fussed about New Years. Glad to see the end of a bad 2011 though.
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Love that card, need to get one for myself.
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OMG about the spire, that’s terrible, it’s such a Melbourne icon … we were far away, enjoying a party at the beach with 24 friends, eating and drinking and telling outrageous jokes well into the night. Watched Happy Feet with assorted kids until the fireworks came on and then just kept going. Bonfire night sparklers came out sometime in the evening so everyone had their own personal firework – happy faces lit by showers of gold. So beautiful.
This morning I woke up beside my husband and thought life is so good. Nowhere else I’d rather be.
Happy New Year to everyone.
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