Brisbane is buzzing with anticipation tonight as Riverfire 2025, the iconic opening event of the Brisbane Festival, lights up the skies. With fireworks set to ignite from barges, bridges, and rooftops, and for the first time ever—pyro drones—the event promises to be bigger, louder, and brighter than anything Queensland has seen before.

When do the skies come alive?

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will kick things off with a thrilling aerial display from 4:50 pm. Expect to see a C-17 Globemaster III, a C-27J Spartan, and two EA-18G Growlers slicing through the Brisbane skyline.

The main event—the fireworks—will start at 7:00 pm sharp. Seventeen different firing locations, including barges along the Brisbane River, rooftops, bridges, and drones, will be used to create a spectacle visible from almost every angle of the city.

Where are the best spots to watch Riverfire 2025?

Crowds have already begun gathering since early morning. The fenced viewing area at South Bank opened at 9 am and will close once it hits capacity. Other great vantage points include:

• Kangaroo Point Cliffs
• Howard Smith Wharves
• Victoria Park
• Wilson Outlook Reserve
• City Botanic Gardens
• Queen’s Wharf
• Highgate Hill Park

For festival goers with accessibility needs, a 300-seat accessible viewing area has been set up at Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Bookings were available in advance, and spots are filling fast.

Can I bring pets or bikes to Riverfire?

No—dogs, cats, parrots, and even rats are on the banned list, along with alcohol, scooters, glass, and cutlery. South Bank’s fenced areas are strictly pet-free zones. Officials are urging visitors to plan carefully and avoid bringing anything that could pose risks in a packed crowd.

Which roads and bridges are closed tonight?

Road closures are extensive. Here’s what you need to know:

• Story Bridge will shut from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Victoria Bridge will close to cyclists from 4 pm and completely from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Goodwill Bridge is closed from 4 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Neville Bonner Bridge is off-limits from 5 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Mount Coot-tha and Mount Gravatt access roads are closed for the afternoon.

If you’re driving, prepare for delays or consider parking at one of the larger city carparks and walking to viewing areas.

What about public transport?

Authorities are encouraging everyone to use public transport. Extra trains will run approximately every 15 minutes between 7:35 pm and 9:05 pm. Extra buses are scheduled, and a special shuttle service from Loganholme to South Bank will run every half-hour until 5:30 pm.

Ferry lovers, beware: services will pause between 5:45 pm and 6:15 pm, restarting only after the fireworks with additional late-night services. Terminals like QUT and Maritime Museum will remain closed from 4 pm due to their closeness to fireworks barges.

The good news? Trains and buses departing after 7:30 pm from nearby stations will be free.

What’s new in Riverfire 2025?

The standout addition this year is the pyro drone show—hundreds of drones fitted with pyrotechnics that will create dazzling synchronized displays in the sky. It’s the first time Brisbane Festival has experimented with combining drones and fireworks, and anticipation is sky-high.

What if it rains?

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted possible blustery showers in the afternoon, but skies are expected to clear by evening. Even if the rain lingers, organizers say the fireworks will still proceed. As they put it: “The show must go on.”

Why Riverfire matters to Brisbane

More than just fireworks, Riverfire has become a cultural anchor for Brisbane, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators and marking the spirit of community and celebration. Once the festival’s finale, it’s now the curtain raiser for nearly a month of music, theatre, and art events that run until September 27, 2025.

Final word

Whether you’re a Riverfire veteran or a first-time visitor, tonight promises unforgettable moments. From jets skimming skyscrapers at just 70 meters to drones painting the sky, Riverfire 2025 is expected to be one of the most spectacular shows yet.

For more global news and festival updates, Visit our site for more news www.DailyGlobalDiary.com

Perth, Australia – Eileen Bond, the charismatic and fiercely loyal former wife of notorious Australian businessman Alan Bond, has passed away at the age of 87 after suffering a severe stroke. Her death marks the end of an era for a woman who lived in the eye of Australia’s corporate storm yet held her ground with grace and grit.

The Bond family confirmed that Eileen died peacefully on Wednesday night, surrounded by family, just days after the stroke that would claim her life. Her son John Bond described her affectionately as “Red,” a nickname born of her fiery red hair and even fierier spirit.

“She had an extraordinary ability to just relate to people,” John told ABC Radio Perth, remembering a mother who could charm a room just as easily as she could protect her children from its harshest winds.

Married at just 17, Eileen and Alan Bond‘s union began long before the headlines and scandals. They wed in 1955, building a family of four children and climbing the social and financial ladders of Perth society. As Alan’s empire ballooned—culminating in the historic 1983 America’s Cup victory by Australia II—Eileen remained the elegant, steady presence at his side.

In a black-and-white photo now etched into Australia’s corporate folklore, Eileen Bond was pictured next to her then-husband and music icon Molly Meldrum, her smile as dazzling as her sequined glasses. It was a different time—an age of exuberant wealth, fearless ambition, and ultimately, spectacular downfall.

But through it all, Eileen stood tall.

America’s Cup Glory—and Grace Under Pressure

The pinnacle of Alan Bond’s success came when his team won the America’s Cup in 1983, breaking the U.S.’s 132-year winning streak. The victory sparked nationwide celebration, and Eileen was right there in Newport, Rhode Island, waving the Boxing Kangaroo flag and winning hearts with her wit and warmth.

“She turned much of the American public to support us,” John recalled. “Even as underdogs, Mum had this way of making people believe in us.”

Even years later, her granddaughters would giggle about her oversized sunglasses and ask where she bought her earrings. Eileen’s timeless sense of style—and her willingness to engage with all generations—remained a family hallmark.

A Complicated Legacy, A Lifelong Bond

The years that followed were less kind. Alan Bond’s meteoric rise was followed by an equally dramatic fall. Found guilty of corporate fraud in the 1990s, Bond served jail time and became a cautionary tale of unchecked capitalism in Australia.

Eileen and Alan divorced in 1992, but theirs was not a typical separation. According to John Bond, the two remained deeply connected—”great soul mates who never broke their connection.”

When Alan died in 2015 after undergoing heart surgery, Eileen flew back from London to Perth immediately. “We’ve been in constant contact,” she told reporters at the time. “But it’s a very sad time.”

It was that resilience and compassion that defined her legacy. While Alan Bond’s name might evoke controversy, Eileen Bond evokes affection.

The Matriarch of the Bond Family

To her children—John, Craig Bond, and Jody Fewster—Eileen was the family’s glue. In a heartfelt statement, they remembered her not only as their mother but as a force of nature.

“Red only knew one speed — flat out — and she brought everyone along for the ride,” they wrote. “She touched countless lives with her generosity, humour, and unmistakable energy. She brought joy wherever she went.”

Her son Craig called her a “staunch and loyal supporter of anyone she thought needed support”, even if it meant defending her children blindly. “We could do no wrong,” he said. “Which is perhaps not always the right way to go. But boy, was she a great mother.”

Beyond the Headlines: The Human Behind the Glamour

Despite the designer dresses, media scrutiny, and public drama, those close to Eileen speak of a deeply human woman. She was not only the wife of a titan, but a friend, mentor, and a relentless believer in the potential of those she loved.

In recent years, Eileen had become a quieter figure, often seen at family gatherings and Sunday lunches. But her legacy never faded. She remained an anchor, always sharp, always radiant.

Her passing, though peaceful, leaves a gap in the story of Australia’s most talked-about business dynasty.

A Final Goodbye

The funeral arrangements for Eileen Bond will be shared in the coming days. For now, her family and many admirers across generations remember a woman who not only stood beside a man who shook Australia’s financial system—but stood for something far greater.

As Australia reflects on its past, it’s clear that Eileen Bond was never just Alan Bond’s ex-wife. She was the heart of a family, a beacon in chaos, and a woman who—above all—lived life to the fullest.

In a shocking and heartbreaking development, City of Newcastle and the grieving family of Councillor Sinead Francis-Coan have confirmed her sudden and unexpected passing early Monday morning, June 24, 2025. She was just 40.

In a mark of deep respect and collective mourning, City of Newcastle has lowered its flags to half-mast to honour Sinead’s life, work, and unwavering dedication to the community she fiercely served.

Born in Ireland and raised in Newcastle from six months old, Sinead carved a path defined by passion for social justice, equity, and community empowerment. Before stepping into politics, she built a meaningful career in leisure and tourism studies and earned recognition as a qualified mediator. As an organiser for the National Tertiary Education Union at the University of Newcastle, she fought tirelessly to improve working conditions and amplify staff voices.

Her election as a Ward 3 Councillor was more than a personal achievement — it symbolised her deep commitment to grassroots representation. At her first Council meeting, she proudly spoke of her Irish roots and fondly remembered her late father, Ollie.

Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge remembered her as a bright light in local governance:

I admired her thoughtful contributions and positive, honest, and optimistic view of the world. She had a charming personality and a great sense of humour. She truly took to being a Ward Councillor like a duck to water.

City CEO Jeremy Bath echoed this sentiment, describing Sinead as a beacon of energy, compassion, and integrity within the Council.

Despite feeling unwell, Sinead continued her duties last week, attending events for Refugee Week and meeting constituents. Her dedication never wavered.

Former Greens Councillor Michael Osborne paid a moving tribute, calling Sinead a “fierce community campaigner, organiser, friend and colleague.” He added, “Her selfless work has left an indelible mark. This tragic loss is deeply felt by our members and beyond.”

Sinead grew up attending Heaton Public School and the Hunter School of Performing Arts in Broadmeadow, shaping her strong ties to the local community. Her passing leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of her family — her mother Lyndall and sisters Roisin and Ciara — who have asked for privacy while they await the Coroner’s report and try to process this sudden loss.

In a city that knew her as a fearless advocate and an ever-smiling friend, Sinead Francis-Coan’s legacy will live on in the community projects she championed and the lives she touched with her kindness and determination.

May her memory inspire more to serve selflessly, just as she did.