⚓️ Cook's Endeavour goes to auction
Volume 174: Trec for Rec 2026 | Samsung unveils New Galaxy Z Fold 8 | Captain Cook’s Endeavour heads to auction | Spain’s World Cup win breaks records and heaps more
G’day GC, and welcome back to another big weekly edition. It’s July 23.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Miami’s Trec for Rec marks 6 years until Brisbane 2032
Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen: Honoured at Police Academy
Rare Captain Cook’s Endeavour: Keel heads to auction
Around The Web: Gold Coast dining favourites named, Titanic passenger letter heads to auction, Natgen buys Biggera Waters Development site and heaps more
Trending: Unfriendly local vibes…
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1. Trec for Rec marked 6 years until Brisbane 2032
What’s Happened: The Gold Coast’s largest inclusive recreation showcase and fundraiser returned to Pizzey Park Skatepark in Miami today, Thursday, 23 July 2026.
Why It Matters: The event gave people with disability the chance to take part alongside families, carers and supporters while learning about accessible recreation across the Gold Coast.
It also marked six years until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
By the Numbers
More than 300 people with disability, carers, family members and supporters were expected to attend, making it one of the Gold Coast’s largest inclusive recreation events.
Participants could choose between a 5km or 10km course, with walking, running and mobility devices all welcome.
The ceremonial flame lighting began at 9.50 am, followed by the official event start at 10 am as the city marked six years until Brisbane 2032.
Local Impact: Local clubs and sporting groups ran accessible have-a-go activities, helping residents find sports and recreation programs suited to their interests and needs.
Visitors also met local athletes, Paralympians and representatives from Gold Coast sporting teams.
What The People Say
“As we mark six years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Trec for Rec is a chance to celebrate the spirit of sport, inclusion and community,” Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said.
“With inclusive activities and accessible recreation opportunities, this event reflects the Gold Coast’s commitment to giving everyone the chance to take part,” he said.
Lighting the way to 2032: The ceremonial flame lighting linked the event with the Brisbane 2032 countdown and highlighted the role inclusive sport plays in bringing communities together.
Guests included Paralympians Alexa Leary OAM and Taymon Kenton-Smith, NRLW player Jamie Chapman, Broncos players, AFLW representatives and Grow for Gold athletes.
What To Look For Next: Hopefully, future Brisbane 2032 activities will provide further opportunities to place inclusion at the centre of community sport like Trec for Rec.
2. Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen honoured at Police Academy
What’s Happening: Late Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen has been honoured at a special ceremony at the Queensland Police Academy in Oxley.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Avenue of Remembrance on Tuesday, 21 July, where they unveiled a plaque beside a tree planted in his name. His family also received the Queensland Police Blue Heart Medal in recognition of his service and sacrifice.
Why It Matters: The ceremony recognised a respected officer whose career was marked by leadership, service and support for his colleagues.
Senior Sergeant Wiblen spent much of his Queensland policing career on the Gold Coast, where he led officers through major incidents and dangerous operations.
Local Impact: He transferred to the Gold Coast District in 1999 and served at Australia Fair, Southport and across the wider district.
As Gold Coast District Duty Officer, he became known for calm leadership, sound judgement and strong support for officers working under pressure.
By the Numbers
58 years old: Senior Sergeant Wiblen was 58 when he died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash near Glen Innes in 2024.
28 years with Queensland Police: He joined the Queensland Police Service in 1996 and served communities across Townsville and the Gold Coast.
10 years with South Australia Police: Before moving to Queensland, he spent a decade working as a detective in South Australia.
A Career Remembered: Senior Sergeant Wiblen died while taking part in the annual Wall to Wall Ride, which honours fallen police officers across Australia.
Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon APM remembered him as a respected colleague, inspiring leader, father, grandfather and friend.
What To Look For Next? A touchstone will also be placed at the Queensland Police Memorial in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, creating another permanent tribute to his service and legacy.
3. Rare Captain Cook’s Endeavour keel heads to auction
What’s Happening: A verified piece of Captain Cook’s Endeavour will be auctioned in Sydney next week, with strong interest expected from collectors worldwide.
The keel fragment will be offered at Noble Numismatics Sale 142 from Tuesday, 28 July to Thursday, 30 July. It was donated to an English school library in the 19th century before being acquired by a Sydney Cook scholar in the 1980s.
Why It Matters: The timber provides a rare physical link to Endeavour, supported by a handwritten label and its ownership history.
Most of the ship’s remaining timbers lie buried beneath Newport Harbour and cannot be easily removed because exposure to air would cause rapid deterioration.
By the Numbers
$250,000: The estimated value of the verified Endeavour keel fragment ahead of the Sydney auction.
1768 to 1770: The period covered by Cook’s first Pacific voyage aboard Endeavour.
1778: The year the Royal Navy deliberately sank the ship in Newport Harbour during the American Revolutionary War.
History on the Label: The timber carries a handwritten label linking it to Cook’s voyage and identifying it as part of Endeavour’s keel.
A faint signature or collection mark appears to read “Dr Elton”.
Beneath Newport Harbour: The ship’s remains are buried in silt at Newport Harbour, where it was deliberately sunk during the American Revolutionary War.
The wreck is protected, making verified pieces already held in collections especially rare.
What To Look For Next: Check out the full article 👇🏼
5. Around the web
Natgen has secured a $10.9 million Biggera Waters site for: A new Gold Coast development featuring 24 strata warehouse units.
Gold Coast CEO Tim Baker will step down in December 2026 after: Five years leading one of Australia’s largest local governments.
Samsung has unveiled its new Galaxy Z Fold 8 with: A fresh design aimed at beating Apple’s first foldable iPhone.
Gold Coast beaches face more erosion early this week as: Wild surf, strong winds and waves over seven metres pound the coastline.
A Titanic passenger’s letter written days before the ship sank is heading to auction with: A rare look at life in second class.
The 2026 AGFG Readers’ Choice Awards have crowned: The local restaurants, cafes and bars voters named the best of the best.
A round-bodied raccoon named Jimothy is winning hearts online with: His unusual shape and likely rare spinal condition.
Gold Coast Suns have backed a local homelessness cause with: A grocery donation supporting the Gold Coast Homelessness Network.
Spain’s World Cup final win smashed U.S. TV records with: 38.9 million viewers tuning in on Fox.
Gold Coast performer Mitch Wynter is bringing Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA home with: A starring role as The Trickster during its extended Brisbane season.
Antiques Roadshow has returned to Australia after 21 years with: A pilot featuring hidden treasures and a possible $17 million Picasso. 👇
6. Trending
Recent newsletters
Last week’s top-clicked link was 👇🏼
Around the web: Nine new emojis are coming to your keyboard in 2026: Including a pickle, meteor (☄️), cracked smile and these six others..
Weekly dream gig
This week - Finovate is hiring a full-time Asset Finance Broker in Helensvale, offering $150,000 to $200,000 per year.
The role involves managing consumer and commercial finance applications from enquiry to settlement, with qualified leads supplied through mortgage broker partners and referral sources.
Applicants need at least two years of asset finance broking experience, strong lending knowledge and proven sales results. Apply now to join Finovate’s growing Gold Coast team.
7. Upcoming events
🎨 Flora Nature’s Gift National Botanical Art Exhibition: Friday 24 July to Thursday 30 July 2026, 9 am-3 pm daily; see 71 botanical paintings by artists from across Australia at the Royal Queensland Art Society Gallery, 25 Broadbeach Boulevard, Broadbeach. Entry is free.
🏉 TRL World Cup and State of Origin: Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July 2026, 7.30 am-2 pm daily; more than 1,000 touch rugby league players will compete across men’s, women’s, mixed and over-30s divisions at Runaway Bay Sports Complex. Spectator entry is free.
🎸 Rogue Traders The Anthems 21st Anniversary Tour: Friday 24 July 2026, 6.30 pm; Natalie Bassingthwaighte and the band’s classic line-up will perform hits including Voodoo Child and Watching You at Miami Marketta, 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami.
💃 Swing On In Community Dance Social: Friday 24 July 2026, 7-10 pm; beginners and experienced dancers can enjoy blues, jitterbug, rock and roll and rockabilly at QCWA Hall, 169 Griffith Street, Coolangatta. The $20 community dance night supports Beauties Feeling Fabulous.
🪩 The Australian Bee Gees Show: Friday 24 July 2026, 8 pm; the band’s 30th anniversary production brings the Bee Gees’ best-known songs to The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach.
🍜 Dreamworld Night Market: Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July 2026, 5-9 pm; enjoy street food, live entertainment and family activities at Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera. Entry is $2 and free for children under 13 and Dreamworld passholders.
🤝 Coomera Business Networking Group Event: Friday 24 July 2026, 10.30 am-12 pm; business owners and local professionals can build new contacts during the monthly networking session at The Galley, 200 Beattie Road, Coomera.
🏇 Aquis Park Raceday: Saturday 25 July 2026, 10 am-5.30 pm; enjoy live thoroughbred racing, bars, food outlets and hospitality packages at Gold Coast Turf Club.
😂 Comedy Underground: Saturday 25 July 2026, 7-8.30 pm; a rotating line-up of Australian and international comedians will perform a 90-minute stand-up show in The Basement at HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise.
🎶 Yacht Rock Revival: Saturday 25 July 2026, 7.30-10 pm; an eight-piece band will perform smooth-rock favourites from Toto, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers at the Wallaby Hotel, 45 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba.
🥕 HOTA Farmers and Artisan Market: Sunday 26 July 2026, 6-11.30 am; local growers, bakers, makers and food vendors will gather around Evendale Lake at HOTA, with live music and seasonal produce.
🎉 It’s On ChevrON: Sunday 26 July 2026, 12-5 pm; the free street party along Thomas Drive, Chevron Island, will feature live music, market stalls, children’s activities and dining offers.
🚨 2026 Disaster and Emergency Management Conference: Monday 27 July 2026, 7.30 am-5 pm; Tuesday 28 July 2026, 8 am-4.45 pm; emergency services, government and industry professionals will discuss technology, cyber resilience, disaster recovery, workforce wellbeing and emergency preparedness at The Star Gold Coast.
🖼️ 4 ASD Kids Art Exhibition and Auction: Tuesday 28 July to Thursday 30 July 2026, 7 am-2 pm daily; Gallery 8 at 8 Ferry Road, Southport, will display work by Australian children’s book illustrators, with auction proceeds supporting families of autistic children.
🎤 Lecture Me with Kim Stokes: Wednesday 29 July 2026, doors open 6 pm and lecture runs 6.30-7.30 pm; the free contemporary art lecture at Fradgley Hall, Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads, will examine how images are created and shared online.
🍕 Pitch and Pizza: Thursday 30 July 2026, 5.30-7.30 pm; founders, students, investors and business supporters can hear startup pitches, provide feedback and meet local contacts at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus in Bilinga.