2009 was welcomed in by 40,000 ravers dressed in white at Telstra Dome. Police praised event organisers and the sell-out crowd on their overall behaviour. The aftermath of the giant party though was blamed for the poor surface at Docklands Stadium with Melbourne Victory players reporting glass and metal debris being found on the turf during their January A-League match. Overall New Years Eve in Docklands was hailed a roaring success with minimal disruption to residents and traffic.

DOCKLANDS HOOKED ON HEALTHY FISH
In January, EPA Victoria began sampling and testing fish for contamination levels caught around the South Wharf in Docklands. Fish in the Yarra River area have recently been declared safe to eat.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
The Etihad Airways sponsorship deal for the naming rights of Docklands Stadium is believed to be in the vicinity of $5 million a year. United Arab Emirates airline is reported to have signed contracts to 2014 worth $25 million.
SMOOTH SAILING
The Docklands boating community celebrated the success of 15 year old Jessica Watson as she skippered her first ocean passage. Jessica departed Brisbane as skipper of the 34’ Sweden sloop Magic Roundabout that was bound for Whangarei, New Zealand. The 1,300 nautical mile passage was Jessica’s first trip as skipper on an ocean voyage although she has crewed on several other passages.
Following the success of Melbourne City Council’s summertime sailing workshops for adults and children around Docklands waterways over January, a second program is scheduled for February 13 & 14. For more information call 9658 9658.
ON A WHEEL HIGH
The Australia Day long weekend saw the 2009 Rockstar Energy Drink BMX
Games peddle its way into Docklands. Four hundred tonnes of dirt was shipped into the New Quay development site on Docklands Drive and riders managed to impress spectators by reaching massive elevation jumps of twenty to thirty feet, whilst attempting mid-air tail whips, bar spins and front flips.
ALL ABOARD
Docklands residents got up close and personal to amazing yachts when the Skandia Docklands event arrived at Waterfront City. Residents were invited aboard to inspect the craft after each day of racing. The Skandia Docklands Invitational is the curtain raiser event leading up to the main Skandia in Geelong and consists of five races on Port Phillip Bay.
CRACKER OF A TIME
Happy Chinese New Year – It’s the year of the Ox. Yum Cha Dragon Restaurant at Waterfront City was the place to celebrate the New Year with fire crackers, lion dancing, plenty of giveaways and five course banquets to enjoy. The outdoor entertainment certainly was a crowd stopper along the promenade.
77 DAYS TOO LONG
January 20 was the day on which the President-elect Barack Obama finally took his oath of office and officially became the 44th US President. For many Americans and observers around the world, it has seemed like an eternity since he officially won the race for office in November.