Telstra is again excited to be a proud sponsor 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve after last year’s amazing success.

This year, in conjunction with City of Sydney, Telstra is broadcasting LIVE the NYE 2013 event via a dedicated YouTube channel.

As part of the special event Telstra is giving all young Australians aged 16 and under the chance to design a firework, then see it come to life with their family at the Sydney New Year’s Eve official Dawes Point VIP Viewing Area.

To enter, all they need to do is draw a design, then simply take a photo of it using their phone and picture message the drawn design to 0498 600 600 (along with the name and age of the author and the parent/guardian’s name).

The design which shows the most creativity, effort and practicality of being reproduced as a firework, as chosen by our Telstra and City of Sydney judges, will light up the sky during the biggest fireworks display in the world and be flown to Sydney along with their family from their nearest capital city to see it in person.

Telstra has also produced the official smartphone app, that will provide you with exciting content in the month leading up to 2013 Sydney New Year’s and will help you connect with friends and family at midnight on New Year’s Eve no matter where you are in Australia.

Discover the best places to watch the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks around Sydney Harbour, as well as information you may need about each of the key sites.

Stay in touch with everything happening on New Year’s Eve, thanks to the Telstra Timeline, and share content with friends for the chance to win a money-can’t-buy meet and greet with Michael Bublé on his April-May 2014 Australian tour.

One great feature of the app is the opportunity to write one of 1,600 messages that will be projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons during the night. If you’re by the harbour, keep an eye on the pylons to see if yours is chosen.

Below is the custom message that I created.

Lastly Telstra via the official NYE app is offering all Australian’s the opportunity on New Year’s Eve to send up to 50 FREE Standard SMS messages to family and friends for you from midnight no matter what network you’re on – that way you can just enjoy your party.

So Happy New Year everyone and have a great 2014.