🌭 Democracy sausage finder 2025
Volume 113: New vaccine experts take on Trump | Pacific Airshow is back | Surfers Paradise footpaths close | Amazon release electric cars and heaps more!
G’day there, and welcome back to another Thursday, it’s May 1.
Today's newsletter is 1,162 words, a 5.5-minute read.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Local PWR founder takes medical leave
Footpaths close as: Beach works roll on in Surfers Paradise
Stoked Surf Art Exhibition celebrates: Ocean conservation on May 4
Pacific Airshow set for big: Return to the GC’s skies in 2025
Trending: Australiana
Around The Web (Snippets): Walk to beat dementia on the GC, Lost loos and the great dunny hunt, mini dachshund found after 529 lost on Kangaroo Island and heaps more!
Upcoming Events
Enjoy the weekly read? Get even more with a full subscription here
🚨Public Holiday Alert: This Monday, May 5, is Labour Day
🌭 Did you know in celebration of this weekend’s federal election, democracy sausages will be available all around the world?
Even in Antarctica!
Click the map or button below to find one near you, and happy voting 🗳️
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: PWR founder takes medical leave
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Kees Weel, the legendary founder of PWR Advanced Cooling Technology, has taken medical leave to focus on treatment for an acute condition, with Acting CEO duties passed to long-time PWR stalwart Matthew Bryson.
Why It Matters: PWR isn’t just a Gold Coast success story; it’s a global leader in high-performance cooling systems, with deep roots in motorsport and growing influence in advanced engineering, and its leadership stability is key as the company scales up.
By the Numbers
The company was founded in 1997 by Kees and son Paul Weel
400+ employees across the globe
They supply elite motorsport teams including F1, NASCAR, V8 Supercars and WRC
Local Impact: With PWR’s HQ based in Yatala, the company fuels local jobs, innovation, and industry reputation that shows the Gold Coast can cool the engines of the world’s fastest machines.
Cooling but Not Coasting: The transition comes as PWR embarks on a new chapter, with its upgraded headquarters project already underway and continued diversification into industries beyond motorsport, like aerospace and defence.
What The People Say
“While I will remain active in PWR’s overall direction, I have advised the Board that concentrating on my recovery is my priority”, Kees Weel said in a statement.
“Matthew Bryson and the Executive Leadership Team have my full support, and I have complete faith that they will be able to deliver on PWR’s objectives and the move to PWR’s new headquarters, which has successfully commenced.”
What To Look For Next: PWR’s Chairman, Roland Dane, said the company’s board supported Mr Weel’s decision and had wished him all the best for his recovery.
See full article below.
2.
Footpaths close as beach works roll on in Surfers Paradise
Sections of the beachfront footpath at Surfers Paradise have been closed as beach restoration works roll on.
The closures comes as work has started to install large sand-filled textile boxes on the beachfront. The boxes are designed to help shield the foreshore from damaging swells in the future.
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week: Brand Gold Coast wants a Manager of Digital Storytelling who can make our city look as good online as it does in real life
📱Turn sunsets into strategy, surfers into scroll-stoppers, and beach days into brand gold.
🌴 With $115,000.00K–$130,000.00K on offer to make paradise go viral, apply now!
4. Stoked Surf Art Exhibition celebrates ocean conservation
What’s Happening
The Stoked Exhibition launches this Sunday at Dust Temple in Currumbin, blending surf art, photography and conservation in a high-energy opening night event for the Flotsam Festival.
Why It Matters: Celebrating 10 years of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve, the event is a visual fiesta with a cultural call to protect the coastline and the surf that defines us, our great areas in and around our epic city.
By the Numbers
📸 20+ artists and photographers from Burleigh to the border will attend
🌊 16km stretch of protected surf reserve
🎟️ Entry just $10 including tapas and a souvenir print
The line-up: With a who’s-who of surf culture, music by Keo Bartholomew, and rare works from legends like Ted Grambeau and Peter Ramsay, all raising funds for Jaggar Bartholomew’s health battle, it’s a highly regarded event on this year’s calendar.
What The People Say
“We are super stoked to be part of the 2025 Flotsam Festival and like to thank Caz and her mighty Flotsam Team for putting together this massive photography & film program!” said Andrew McKinnon aka AndyMac, President of GCWSR and Chair organiser of WSCC 2026.
What To Look For Next: Circle 23–26 Feb 2026 for the World Surfing Conservation Conference coming to SCU Gold Coast and expected to make big waves.
4.
Airshow set for return to Gold Coast skies
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is set to return to Surfers Paradise for the third time in August with tickets now on sale.
Single tickets start at $40.00 and go up to private beach cabanas, which start at $14,850.00.
5. Trending
🕰️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
6. Around The Web (Snippets)
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos has launched the: Cheapest electric car with Slate Automotive in both SUV and ute formats
Apple has notified new victims of: Government spyware attacks across the world
The Gold Coast Titans will take on the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday 1:50 p.m. for the: NRL Magic Round
Meta has forecasted it will make: 1,400,000,000,000.00 (that’s 1.4T), in revenue from generative AI by 2035
🐾Valerie the miniature dachshund has been rescued after surviving for: 529 days on a rugged Kangaroo Island.
In the GC Hinterland, a woman needed to be: Rescued after falling during a hike
A group of experts have formed a new initiative to safeguard: Vaccines and fight alleged US Government misinformation
Gold Coast Police have released: Vision of a man they believe can assist with an investigation into the assault of a 14-year-old boy on Saturday, March 22.
👌 Enjoy the weekly Gold Coast Minute? Get even more with a full subscription here
🆓 Dig the dig? We’ve got rewards for sharing!
We’ve updated our referral program to make it easier to get a few little freebies👇
7. Upcoming Events
🏄 World Surf League Championship Tour: May 3 – 13; watch the world's best surfers compete at Burleigh Heads
🎶 Ministry of Sound Classical: May 3 from 5 pm onwards; experience iconic dance anthems reimagined with a live orchestra at Home of the Arts (HOTA), Surfers Paradise
✂️ EXPO4BARBERS: May 3 – 5 from 9 am to 5 pm; attend Australia's premier barber expo featuring top grooming professionals and live demonstrations at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
🏡 Gold Coast Property Networking Group Meetup: May 8 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm; join property investors and professionals at Burleigh Heads Surf Club for networking and insights
🎬 Gold Coast Film Festival 2025, April 30 – May 11; Celebrate cinema at HOTA with premieres, panels, and pop-up screenings across the city. A reel treat for film lovers.
Community Contributor - Thought for the week
Will-to-Good, the Future for Humanity
Dotted the world over, here and there within the many races, cultures, religions and etc, exist thousands of people of goodwill. Alone in person perhaps, like you and me, and feeling unable to make a difference, but in truth together in both power and purpose.
Regard, therefore, all your work as group work and causing effects, which are inevitable and are contributing to the potency of the ‘world group’ will-to-good.
So, smile today! Your acts of kindness are gathering momentum.
[Sponsored Supplied]