2025 Port Albert New Year’s Eve Fireworks Event 'Wrap-Up'

Rob Durrant
6 days ago
5 min read

After delivering what was one of the largest New Year’s Eve fireworks events in Port Albert’s history, the Port Albert Progress Association (PAPA) has undertaken its annual post-event review.

This process brings together feedback from attendees, volunteers, vendors, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the event continues to grow and improve year after year.

A Record-Breaking Year

The 2025 event marked our 7th consecutive New Year’s Eve celebration, and once again exceeded expectations. Attendance reached an estimated 5,000 people, up from 4,000 in earlier years and approximately 4,500 in 2024. With crowd growth of this scale, the overall behaviour of attendees was exemplary, supported by a visible and very welcome police presence.

A standout highlight, as always, was the fireworks display delivered by Profire Pyrotechnics, which was nothing short of spectacular and continues to set a high benchmark for regional community events.

Event Is Funding

Feedback suggests that many community members are surprised to learn that this major event isn’t funded entirely by local government. Funding is made possible through a combination of:

A community assistance grant from Wellington Shire Council
Competitions and fundraising raffles run throughout the year by PAPA, in partnership with the Alberton Hotel and Yarram Country Club
Generous sponsorship from:
- Yarram Country Club
- Yarram Nutrien Harcourts
- Star of the South
- Angler Arms Accommodation (Port Albert).

Our goal remains clear: where funding levels allow, avoid event ticketing, and keep the Port Albert New Year’s Eve Fireworks a free and inclusive community event.

Event Feedback and Planned Improvements

Listening to community feedback is central to how we continue to evolve the event. Below is a summary of key themes raised and the actions being considered for 2026.

Children’s Activities

Funded by PAPA, the Petting Zoo, face painting, plaster mould painting and giant games were extremely popular. As attendance continues to grow, particularly among older children, we will explore adding activities such as rock climbing walls and surfboard riding simulators (subject to available funding).

Food Vendors

The most consistent feedback related to long queues. This was due to a combination of:

The late cancellation of three food vendors
An unexpected additional crowd of approximately 500 people
Limited space within Rutters Park to support many more vendors.

For 2026, we will tweak the event layout and work to include additional food vendors and collaborate with nearby local food outlets in order to improve capacity and reduce wait times.

Market Stalls

Market stalls once again received excellent feedback, particularly for their variety and quality. We welcome ongoing suggestions and encourage community members to recommend the event to their favourite local vendors. Feel free to let your favourite vendors know about attending this event.

Internet Connectivity

With high attendance, the local Port Albert network will always struggle under demand, particularly as visitors uploaded photos and videos. We extend sincere thanks to Garry and Telstra, who installed a temporary Wi-Fi network to ensure vendors could continue operating EFTPOS facilities smoothly.

Toilets

Event funding significantly limits the number of portable toilets that can be supplied. In 2025, the four additional portaloos cost in excess of $1600.

For 2026, we will:

Where possible, seek additional funding or sponsorship for toilets
Publish a map of all nearby public toilet facilities to help visitors plan accordingly

If you know of a business or organisation willing to sponsor this essential service, we would love to hear from you eventsbypapa@gmail.com

Traffic Management

Traffic congestion remains one of the most challenging aspects of the event. With only one road in and out of Port Albert, options are limited, especially with rising attendance.

Traffic control on the main road costs approximately $2,500 (4 controllers). Thankfully, the Wellington Shire Council agreed to fund 85% of this cost. PAPA will attempt to seek funding for 6 traffic controllers for the 2026.

Additional measures such as buses or alternative road diversions can exceed $5,000, in costs which is not currently feasible for this event. Slowing traffic flow would further restrict the ability to move people out (and into) Port Albert with little effectiveness.

For 2026, we will:

Publish a traffic map highlighting key traffic routes (where possible)
Provide clearer messaging encouraging visitors to stay, relax, and enjoy the town rather than rushing to leave immediately after the 9.30 fireworks display

Licensed Bar

It is important to note that the conditions of the event grant do not permit PAPA to run a licensed bar, meaning this component must be delivered independently by an eligible organisation.

Community feedback clearly indicates that the absence of a licensed bar was strongly felt, particularly among older residents and visitors who value having a relaxed, social space to enjoy the evening. Looking ahead, PAPA is very supportive of any local organisation that is willing and able to put their hand up to operate a licensed bar nearby to complement the New Year’s Eve Fireworks event.

A Community Effort

As highlighted throughout this summary, event funding directly impacts what we can deliver. While limitations exist, all feedback is carefully considered and solutions are actively explored and changes are applied.

We extend our sincere thanks to:

Port Albert Coast Guard for their assistance with launching the fireworks barge
Friends of St John’s Anglican Church for their invaluable support on the night.
Plus other local organisations for their support on the evening.

Most importantly, this event is delivered by ‘unpaid volunteers’ from PAPA and the wider community. From grant applications and marketing to event setup, pack-down, and even shaking tins at the gate – each of these efforts make the event possible. Without volunteers, there would be no event.

If you have ideas to improve the event, ways to increase funding, or are willing to lend a helping hand, we would love to hear from you on eventsbypapa@gmail.com

Event Team Update

After seven highly successful years leading the Port Albert New Year’s Eve Fireworks Event, Jenny Smith will be stepping back partially for 2026 and fully from 2027 to enjoy a well-earned break.

Committee member Robert Durrant (with assistance from Deb Eldridge) will be taking on the role moving forward. If you would like to discuss the event, vendor bookings, sponsorship, or ways to get involved, please reach out to Rob on his direct number 0413 476 423 or rob@robertdurrant.com.au

We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year - same port time, same port location. https://www.portalbert.vic.au/new-years-eve-fireworks

Port Albert Progress Association (PAPA) Serving the Community Since 1880