ORANGE has given Dubbo a model for a New Year's Eve celebration that ends with a bang.
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The third annual McCormack Barber NYE Party Under the Stars prompted praise from Greg Marginson who was in the crowd of thousands.
He made the trip to Orange to gain insight on how Dubbo could successfully stage an event on December 31.
Mr Marginson will take the experience back to fellow members of the Dubbo NYE 2014 Development Committee, formed after two recent open public meetings.
He said Orange's event was fun, friendly and family-oriented.
There was a big crowd, but held at the large open space of Waratah Sports Club, it remained "relaxed and casual".
"I was very impressed," Mr Marginson said.
"The fireworks were fantastic."
Security checks kept the Orange event alcohol-free.
Mr Marginson noticed a strong volunteer base of "at least 30" people and plenty of activities for children.
The make-up of any future event at Dubbo is at the heart of a survey the Dubbo NYE 2014 Development Committee has distributed.
It seeks to gauge support for a "community-inclusive, family-friendly NYE celebration" at Dubbo, and if alcohol should be available.
Respondents are asked for what mixture of fireworks, music, food, kids activities, market stalls and general entertainment they would like to see.
The development committee is seeking a preference for the timing of fireworks - about 9.30pm "so families can go home after" or at midnight.
The survey also addresses the development committee's challenge of funding, asking if people would support Dubbo City Council being one of the financial contributors to funding the event to keep it free.
Orange City Council teamed up with McCormack Barber Real Estate to promote its New Year's Eve function, reducing its predicted outlay by about half to $30,000.
Mr Marginson noted the night had "quite a few sponsors" and their reaction to the event that went off "extremely well".
"All sponsors seemed to be happy and I would think they should be," he said.
Mr Marginson took photos at Orange's celebration, which he has posted online and asked if people would like something similar at Dubbo.
Bathurst residents also had the chance to see out New Year's Eve at its annual Party in the Park, for which Bathurst Regional Council budgeted $7400.
