Meet just a small sample of the team and find out more about them, what drives them and their passion for the industry!
Max Brunner
Director
About Max
Max is the Managing Director and lead Designer of Skylighter FireworX and has built his business from humble beginnings into Queensland’s most trusted and sort after pyrotechnics display company. His fascination with fireworks began at a young age and was the catalyst for him starting Skylighter while still in high school. After completing a Civil Engineering Degree at University, Max turned his part time passion into a full time obsession, slowly adding other passionate team members and growing the business steadily. Max’s commitment to ethical business practices, customer service, delivering value for money and exceeding expectations has been an integral part of Skylighter’s success.
Max has a strong focus on innovation, developing products, systems and design techniques to ensure that Skylighter continues to deliver cutting-edge, world class displays into the future. This continuous pursuit sees Max travelling to China several times a year to work with some of the World’s leading Pyro-Chemists. This work has resulted in Max developing many new product ranges and effects now used around the World.
Over the past 7 years Max has been the Skylighter Project Manager for the New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Brisbane. His knowledge of pyrotechnic products and event production logistics are of the highest standard, allowing him to efficiently lead an entire production team through large scale pyrotechnic displays from concept to completion.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Making people happy! Words can’t describe the feeling I get when tens of thousands of people are cheering in unison as one of our displays burst above a City skyline.
What has been your fireworks moment to date?
The first time we produced Brisbane New year’s Eve, my heart was pounding and when the finale finished, the crowd roared and the stress turned to elation!
Who are your hero’s?
My Parents, Ingrid & Denzil! Oh, and Colonial Sanders
What song would be your life soundtrack?
Metallica – Fuel
What is your favourite thing to do besides working?
Spending time with my wife, Inger and my beautiful new baby Penny! Preferably while water skiing and wakeboarding.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Ambitious, Generous, Devoted
What’s one sentence you’d like to hear from your boss?
I hear it every day from my wife, I love you!
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Becoming a Dad!
Darren Rooney
Operations Manager
About Darren
Darren joined the Fireworks Industry during the Millennium Celebrations of 1999/2000, then coming on board full-time for the Sydney 2000 Olympics Celebrations. Darren’s expertise and knowledge has taken him all over Australia performing fireworks for various festivals, shows, corporate and sporting events; and to numerous parts of the globe as Operations Manager to Australian teams competing in International Competitions.
Darren is also our resident builder and has been responsible for building some of Australia’s most elaborate custom builds with Pyrotechnics and effects. As Operations Manager, Darren is responsible for the day-to-day Operations of the displays, equipment, preparation and programming of displays.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working in an industry that allows me to bring my creativity and imagination to life
What has been your fireworks moment to date?
Working with some of the largest fireworks companies from around the world in international fireworks competitions,
Who are your hero’s?
Batman, my Dad and Grandfather
What song would be your life soundtrack?
U Can’t Touch This – Mc Hammer
What is your favourite thing to do besides working?
Being with my family
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Dedicated, creative, insightful
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Volunteering at a Spartan race where I met the love of my life.
Nick Kozij
Project Manger
About Nick
Nick has been in the Events industry for over 15 years. He has a passion for everything events, from small intimate productions to large scale public celebrations. Nick joined Skylighter in 2011 after working for a major event infrastructure company specialising in logistics and event project management. His experience has also allowed him to guest lecture at the University of Queensland’s Tourism and Events program. His local knowledge and vast experience in sports pyrotechnic presentation and large scale fireworks events makes him a valuable addition to any event. Nick has worked with Max on other events for over 10 years delivering major projects around Australia.
Nick leads a great team of pyrotechnicians and warehouse staff, who together work in synergy with event management and production teams to ensure that every phase of the project results in an effective and spectacular pyrotechnic performance.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
That moment at the end of a display when 250,000 people cheer and for that moment you feel like a rockstar!
What has been your (Favourite?) fireworks moment to date?
Working in the Philippine’s for the international fireworks display then getting to see the Display Hong Kong Fireworks upclose with my wife
Who are your hero’s?
Walt Disney- It’s kinda fun to do the impossible
What song would be your life soundtrack?
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns and Roses
What is your favourite thing to do besides working?
Creating mess – I mean forts and cubby houses with my boys Flynn and Charlie
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Constantly Imagining Experiences
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Taken a job in the entertainment industry and creating a life with my family.
Denzil Brunner
Financial Controller
About Denzil
Denzil is one of the Directors of Skylighter FireworX and a Chartered Accountant. Denzil’s experience is second to none with finance and administration, leading some of Australia’s largest and most successful distribution companies.
Denzil is also an experienced pyrotechnician working on some of Australia’s largest events including Brisbane New Year’s Eve, Riverfire and State of Origin.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Being part of a Team delivering breathtaking entertainment .
What has been your fireworks moment to date?
There many of course but the first time I looked down from the roof of Suncorp Stadium at a State Of Origin game was very special.
Who are your hero’s?
Anyone that can work 24 hrs straight in the pouring rain to deliver a show at midnight and still smile.
What song would be your life soundtrack?
The road goes on forever and the party never ends
What is your favourite thing to do besides working?
Anything to do with Family, Boats and Aeroplanes.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Not too bad
What’s one sentence you’d like to hear from your boss?
Love you Dad
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Put a great Family together
Rob Fairbanks
Designer/Project Manager
About Rob
Rob has more than 25 years’ experience in the pyrotechnic industry. Rob is the brains behind the choreography of some of our biggest overseas displays. Robs focus on designing, producing and delivering innovative fireworks displays makes him a master in his field. Rob has worked on displays over the last 25 years in Macau, the Philippines, Kuala Lumpur, New Guinea, Canada and here in Australia.
Rob leads a great team of local pyrotechnicians and warehouse staff, who together work in synergy with event management and production teams to ensure that every phase of the project results in an effective and spectacular pyrotechnic performance.
Harrison Smith
Project Manager
About Harry
Harrison has been around fireworks his whole life, at the age of 18, he officially became an assistant and has worked his way up to a lead designer and project manager with-in Skylighter Fireworks.
As a Project Manager, Harry is involved with each display from the beginning to the end; with a focus on delivering spectacular on a large scale.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like that the process goes full circle… I get to handle the product from the moment it comes out of a carton to the point where I am disposing of it thoughtfully
What has been your fireworks moment to date?
The Australian Summer of Cricket, looking after all the pyrotechnic and flame elements across Australia.
Who are your hero’s?
I’m a comic book fanatic, so it has to be the Avengers!
What song would be your life soundtrack?
PNAU- Go Bang
What is your favourite thing to do besides working?
Enjoying my time off!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Fast, Fun, Yes
What’s one sentence you’d like to hear from your boss?
Enjoy your time off uninterrupted!
What is the best thing you’ve ever done?
Asked my soon to be wife to marry me