Shane Swanson – Director
Shane (and his brother Clinton) grew up surrounded by family who were passionate about pyrotechnics and it is no surprise that this lifestyle became ingrained in both him and his brother. Shane began helping out with the family business when he was a 14 year old schoolboy, helping with packing cars and attending shows and functions. Shane became licensed at the legal age of 18 and spent weekends preparing and coordinating jobs for his parents, Gary and Sandra. Shane and his brother took over the family business in 2012. Shane has a daughter Peyton and is expecting his second child in October. Shane is an avid fisherman and enjoys surfing and camping.
Clinton Swanson – Director
Clinton is the eldest Swanson brother. Clinton also spent his childhood days helping out with the family business. Clinton was licensed at the legal age of 18 and spent many weekends coordinating and performing fireworks displays. Clinton was fortunate to travel overseas with his grandfather to source new and innovative products and form professional relationships with fireworks producers, ensuring quality products. Clinton and his brother formed a successful partnership when they took over the business in 2012 and together the company and fireworks family is prospering. Clinton is also an avid fisherman and camper.
Gary Swanson
Gary and his wife Sandra are the 3rd generation of the Mr Fireworks Family. Gary worked with his father and mother from the age of 14. Gary was licensed in 1988 and has the honour of claiming the title of longest licensed pyrotechnician in Queensland. Gary has enjoyed the benefits of hard work and the business has flourished, at some points doing displays on a daily basis. Although the business was passed onto his sons in 2012, Gary still coordinates and executes displays for the company.
Sandra Swanson
Sandra started working for the family business in 1976 with her husband Gary. In a heavily male dominated workforce, it was an honour for her to become the first licensed female operator in 1988. Sandra has a passion for creating set pieces, logos and pyrotechnic artistry. Her and Gary won multiple awards for various displays and were the only fireworks company to take part in the Commonwealth Games in 1982. Sandra has passed on a wealth of knowledge and experience to her sons.
Past Generations
1998- 2012 Gary and Sandra Swanson
https://australiatrustpill.com/
Prior to taking over the family business, fireworks became a competitive industry with other companies establishing in Queensland. Gary and Sandra branched out into the overseas market, performing displays far and wide. They were involved in lucrative events, such as the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982 and the opening of the Performing Arts Complex by the Duke and Duchess of Kent in 1985. During this period, fireworks displays were in high demand and shows were being executed daily.
1954 – 1997 Ian and Maureen Swanson
Ian and Maureen continued the family business operating out of the back shed in Wynnum. All fireworks were hand fired and licensing was not compulsory. Mr Fireworks were the only Queensland company in operation and covered Tasmania, NSW, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Ian and family were the only company involved in the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982. He developed animations such as moving kangaroos and was the first person to hold an import license.
1934 – 1954 Andy Anderson
Prior to World War 2, Andy Anderson, Maureen’s stepfather, started the fireworks business. A special interest in pyrotechnics sparked the beginning of making his own fireworks in a backyard shed in Wynnum, Queensland. He would dismantle fireworks and fire their components in an effort to determine various elements. Andy served in World War 2, so the concept of a fireworks business was temporarily put on hold. Andy and his family performed displays for the Military Tattoos in Brisbane after the War. Andy continued to work until he fell ill in 1955.
Some major displays by Mr Fireworks International
2019 Asia Pacific City Summit Opening Ceremony
Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Office
Howard Smith Wharves Events
Clients of Sir Richard Branson’s Private Makepeace Island Resort
Indian Association of Central Queensland
Multicultural Association of Caboolture and Surrounds
Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland
2019 Australia vs New Zealand Oceania Cup
Rockhampton Hockey Association
Longreach Outback Paddle Regatta Festival
Biddeston State School
All Saints Anglican School
Commonwealth Games Baton Relay
Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games
Winner South Bank Corporation Fireworks Challenge
Winner and Reigning Champion of the South Bank Corporation Fireworks Challenge
Winner National Fireworks Championships
Runner up National Fireworks Championships
Winner North Coast National Championships
Thursday Island Multicultural Festival
The Night the River Sings South Bank
Christmas Celebrations South Bank
ANZ Stadium Open Ceremony (Daylight Display)
Warana Festivals
Brisbane Festival
Queensland Performing Arts Trust Opening Ceremonies
Indy Car Gold Coast
Gold Coast 600 (V8’s)
Gold Coast Show
Townsville Sky Show
Mackay Sky Show
Rockhampton Sky Show
Tasmania’s Royal Hobart Regatta
Brisbane Royal Show (Ekka) 30 years of service
Cairns Fun in the Sun Festivals
Townsville Pacific Festivals
Toowoomba Royal Agricultural Society
Masters Games Alice Springs
1981 Republic of Indonesia (President Suharto unveiling)
Republic of Vanuatu 10th and 12th Anniversary Celebrations
The Solomon Islands 10th Anniversary Celebrations
10th Independence Celebrations (New Guinea)
Port Moresby Show
AC/DC’s Black Ice Australian Tour
Guns and Roses Australian Tour
Nickelback’s Australian Tour
Meatloaf’s Australian Tours
Australian Big Brother Launches
Pacific Hotel Yamba
Ormiston College
Faith Lutheran College, Redlands
Wellington Point State School
Woodburn State School
Alexandra Hills State School
Rouse State School
Prince of Peace Lutheran College
Mackay Christian College
Heights College
Kings College
Ambrose State School
Calvary Christian College
Bundaberg East State School
Birkdale State School
Belmont State School
Virginia State School
Ferny Grove State School
Bond University’s 25th Anniversary
Yeppoon Show Society
Pioneer Valley Show Society (the biggest one day show in Australia)
Yeppoon Lions Tropical Pine Fest
Boyne Tannum Hook Up
Mt Larcom Show Society
Gladstone Show Society
Sarina Show Society
Atherton Show Society
Malanda Show Society
Mossman Show Society
Springsure Show Society
Wowan Show Society
Rockhampton Show Society
Townsville Show Society
Prostin Show Society
Murgon Show Society
Goomeri Show Society
Gayndah Show Society
Nanango Show Society
Blackall Show Society
Barcaldine Show Society
Longreach Show Society
Redcliffe Show Society
Mudgeeraba Show Society
Gin Gin Show Society
Capella Show Society
Samford Show Society
Pine Rivers Show Society
Mungindi Show Society
Beenleigh Show Society
Alstonville Show Society
Woodburn River Festival
Tastes of Paradise Festival
CFMEU Collinsville
CFMEU Moranbah
Moranbah Anglo American Coal
Middlemount Anglo American Coal
Calvary Christian Church
Ferny Grove Baptist Church
Wynnum Baptist Church
Ballina Ministries
Montes Reef Resort
Moura Coal and Country Festival
Rubyvale Gem Festival
Mt Morgan Festival
Intrust Super Cup
Evans Head Fishing Classic
Dimbulah Loins
Flinton Race Club
Bargara Progress Association
Manly Chamber of Commerce
Gold Coast Marine Agriculture
Byron Shire Council
Redland City Council
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Mackay City Council
Western Downs Regional Council
Cook Shire Council
Torres Shire Council
Barcaldine Regional Council
Livingston Shire Council
Cooktown Discovery Festival and Show Society
Novotel Twin Waters Resort
Woodford Show Society
Scarborough Lights Up Redcliffe
Grand View Hotel
Miles Race Club
Brigalow Country Community Club
Tewantin Noosa RSL
Summergrove Estate
Maleny Manor
The Old Courthouse Restaurant
Wynnum Golf Club
Fly-In and Heritage Show
Capalaba JRL
North St Josephs JRL
Pine Rivers JRL
Nanango Fun Fest INC
Brunswick Valley Woodchop & Entertainment Committee INC
Clontarf Beach Baptist Church
Alstonville Apex
Santos GLNG Mayoral Carols by Candlelight
Capalaba State College
Hillcrest Christian College
Twin Rivers Church
Rockhampton Regional Council
Wynnum Manly JRL Club
Murweh Shire Council
Longreach Shire Council
Paroo Shire Council
Richmond Valley Council
Rockhampton Speedway Association
Mabel Park High School
Blackall Heartland Festival
Gin Gin Community Bank
Lighthouse Restaurant Cleveland
Fiction Bar Cleveland
Currumbin RSL Club
Ogilvie Group
Fraser Coast Show Society
Access Community Services
Ipswich Events Association
Ipswich City Council
Thornlands State School
FMX Kaos Tours
Muslims United
Rangeville State School
Ballina Chamber of Commerce
Goomeri Lions
Salvation Army Events
Brisbane City Council
Ipswich Show Society
Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm
Rick Shores
MRT Event Management
Crust Farms
Henderson Park Events
Unforgettable Proposals
Tenterfield Show Society
North Queensland Games
Austinvilla Estate
Mueller College
Redlands Strawberry Festival (Redfest)
Couran Cove Island Resort
Divine Mercy United Pentecostal Church
Grafton Jacaranda Festival
White & White Weddings
Harrup Park Country Club
BMW Australia
Spicers Montville
Sesame Lane Management
City Hope Church
Crows Nest Progress Association
Ashgrove Baptist Church
Camp Quality and Relay for Life
Just two of the many non for profit fundraising organisations that Mr Fireworks International sponsors annually.
Mr Fireworks proudly presents hundreds of displays annually for Show Societies, Festivals, Corporate Events and Launches, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, Schools, Churches, Sporting Clubs, Councils, Concerts, Councilors, Weddings and private events all over Queensland, NSW and the Northern Territory.
