Perth Royal Show: Legacy of fireworks legend is a big bang show-stopper

The father of Perth’s fireworks has been honoured for his extraordinary contribution with a dazzling fireworks finale on opening night of the Perth Royal Show.

Jim Cardile, who died in May, was this week crowned the inaugural Legend of the Show — the highest accolade celebrating individuals for their outstanding dedication the show and its 189-year history.

The 85-year-old was born into the family’s sparkling business, Cardile Fireworks, after it was founded by his grandfather, Carmine Cardile, in Italy’s Calabria 139-years-ago.

Cardile Fireworks have since become a mainstay in WA, enchanting audiences at the Perth Royal Show for more than 70 years.

“He wouldn’t gloat about it, he wouldn’t say much about it, but deep down he would have been so proud,” he said.

“We had a bit of a rehearsal here and they had a bit of a pre-show (speech) and it brought a tear to my eye.”

“(The fireworks) were something that were so special to my dad and to the family growing up . . . and as the time goes on, the family grows, but everyone’s just so passionate about it.”

Rob described Claremont Showground as his second home and said his father came to know nearly every person affiliated with the show during his 60-year-tenure.

“As a young kid I grew up with fireworks, I followed dad around at a very early age and I can remember in the ’70s coming to the show and helping dad out,” he said.

“When dad passed I was trying to work out, ‘Where do I go, who do I tell?’ because there were so many different people that dad knew like the sideshow operators, showbag store holders and food vendors.”

Grandson Jimmy Cardile said his family would pay tribute by lighting up the sky with some of his favourite motifs.

“We’ve got some brand new 360-degree spinning wheels at this year’s show which are a tribute to my granddad,” he said.

“We’ve also got some never seen before rainbow-coloured flames at this year’s show.”

He said this year’s display included an exciting interactive concept where spectators could call in and request their favourite song.

“The show itself is also a brand new innovative concept, it’s called the Perth Rock Show Radio,” he said.

“Callers can call in during the show from around the Showground and across Western Australia and request songs that will be played during the fireworks.”

Rob said the spectacular 20-minute production — the largest fireworks display in Perth Royal Show history — took nearly 12 months of planning.

“There’s about 5000 cues of fireworks, and some of those cues have 100 additional shots once the cue goes off,” he said.

“There’s 10s of 1000s of different fireworks that go off every night and the colours are just incredible.

“Back in the day there was red, blue, green, purple and yellow, but now there’s canary yellow, sea blue, dark blue, lime green, dark green, it just goes on and on.”

WA Royal Agricultural Society chief executive Robyn Sermon said Mr Cardile’s legacy was one of “joy, community and connection.”

She said the Legend of the Show award honoured people who had made an “extraordinary impact.”

“This is the 189th show, and there are obviously people that have made such an important contribution, whether they’re volunteers or exhibitors, or in this case, they’re one of our suppliers in Jim Cardile,” she said.

“The Perth Royal Show fireworks are absolutely considered to be one of the most incredible fireworks displays nationwide.

“The Cardile family, along with Jim’s legacy, make them bigger and better year after year.”