đGC's Gilmour ready for nation's first-ever space launch
Volume 115: $20m supercar lineup returns | YouTube gets more ads | Vale Graham 'Blackie' Black and more
Welcome back to the GC Minute, itâs Thursday, May 15, and weâre ready for lift-off.
Good luck to the Goldyâs Gilmour crew over the coming few days, where they are set to make history with Australiaâs first-ever rocket launch into space.
Today's newsletter is 1,490 words, a 7.5-minute read.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: GCâs Gilmour boys count down to first space launch
Sunset Run returns with a: $20M Supercar line-up
Farewell to a Gold Coast surf icon: Cooly legend Graham âBlackieâ Black
Trending: Local culture?
Around The Web (Snippets): YouTube gets ads in peak moments, two local men go missing, a crazily dangerous new social media craze, SEQLD scores the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and heaps more
Upcoming Events
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Weekend Weather and Surf
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1. One Big Thing: Gilmour boys count down to first space launch
By Marshall Hall
Whatâs Happening: With the launch window officially opening today, Gold Coast-born Gilmour Space Technologies is now counting down to the maiden launch of its Eris rocket from North Queenslandâs Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
Why It Matters: If successful, itâll be the first Australian-designed and built rocket to reach space, putting us among a dozen countries with launch capability.
By the Numbers
34 tonnes: Will be the weight of âErisâ at lift-off
7-storey: Is the height of the three-stage rocket
10 years: In development this launch has been since Gilmourâs 2015 founding
Local Impact: Started by brothers Adam and James Gilmour, the company has grown from Gold Coast beginnings into a national aerospace pioneer, fuelling local jobs and innovation.
Rocket fuel, Queensland style: Eris runs on safer, cheaper hybrid propellant; tech Gilmour says âbeats traditional rocket fuelâ.
What The People Say
âThere is a high likelihood of delays or scrubs,â the company warned.
âThis is a huge step forward for Australiaâs sovereign space capabilities,â said Adam Gilmour.
What To Look For Next
With a system glitch delaying the Australian-made rocket launch earlier today, all eyes are now on Bowen tomorrow, Friday, May 16, to witness history.
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2. Sunset Run returns with $20M Supercar line-up
Whatâs Happening: The Sunset Run: Chase The Stars returns to the Gold Coast on May 31, bringing $20 million in supercars, a Rolls-Royce debut, and big-name fashion partners.
Why It Matters: Itâs not just about revving engines; this event raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation while spotlighting luxury, lifestyle, and community support.
By the Numbers
$20 million: Will be the value of this yearâs convoy
Itâs 4th edition of the event: Now a staple of the local events calendar
2 global fashion icons: Tiffany & Co. and Ralph Lauren, are on board
Local Impact: Expect road closures and camera phones at the ready as the convoy rolls into The Oracle Boulevard around 11:40 am, then cruises through Surfers Paradise to Main Beach.
Glitz meets gear: This year adds Movie World to the mixâand the Australian debut of a brand-new Rolls-Royce.
What The People Say
âAn electric mix of cars, fashion and luxury lifestyle,â said organisers.
What To Look For Next
Catch the convoy at middayâor stay tuned online for photos and ways to donate.
Weekly Dream Gig
This week: Spin those spanners with Surf Life Saving Queensland who is chasing a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer to keep their rescue choppers sharp, safe, and sky-ready.
If CASA licences, fault-finding, and fine-tuned rotors get your heart racing, this Carrara hangar gig could see you earning a six-figure sum ($150,000.00+ according to Seek filters..) while helping save lives.
With salary packaging, parental leave, and a fleet that flies for a cause; this roleâs got lift-off.
3. Vale Graham Black aka âBlackieâ 1948 â 2025
Written by Andrew McKinnon
Whatâs Happening: Graham Black, affectionately known as Blackie, passed away this week aged 77.
Why It Matters: A pioneer of Australian surfing, the Coolangatta goofyfooter left an indelible mark on the sport and the Gold Coast surf scene.
Blackie wasnât just a champion bloke and great surfer, he helped shaped a generation in the sport, influencing icons like Wayne Lynch and helping define the smooth, stylish backhand style still seen around local points and beachbreaks along the Gold Coast today.
By the Numbers
1969: Claimed a shock win at the Qld State Titles over Peter Drouyn
1965â70s: We was a key member of Kirra Surfriders, Windansea, and Palm Beach Boardriders
77 years: A great innings and a lifetime dedicated to family, surfing, and craftsmanship
Local Impact: From Greenmount to Mermaid Beach and Palm Beach, Blackie wasnât just respected, he was loved and his influence on Gold Coast surfing culture will be timeless.
Legend, never forgotten: A gifted glasser, nose-rider, and mentor, Blackie gave back more than he took.
His laughter and legacy live on.
What The People Say
âThere will never be another one quite like it!â â Graham Black
âHe was the best goofy footers in Australia.â â Billy Bob Kingston
What To Look For Next: His funeral is today, May 15, 10 am at Tweed Heads Memorial.
celebration will follow at Palm Beach Soccer Club.
4. Trending
Surely itâs not that bad.. is it?
âŽď¸ In Case You Missed It - Last weekâs newsletter
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
YouTube viewers will start seeing: Ads after âpeakâ moments in videos.
The worldâs first CRISPR gene-edited Spider shoots glowing red silk from its spinneret.
A new dangerous social media craze is encouraging: Kids to set their laptops on fire; known as the #ChromebookChallenge
The viral internet phenomenon blending AI-generated chaos, surreal humour, and a hyper-saturated aesthetic known as: Italian Brainrot tiers explained on TikTok (what on Earth did we just watch..)
Ancient Roman wooden water: Pipe made from hollow tree trunks has been unearthed beneath a street in Belgium
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6. Upcoming Events
đââď¸âŻAustralian Interschools Surfing Championships: May 14-16 from 8 am to 4 pm; young surfers from across the nation compete in individual and tag team formats at Surfers Paradise, Miami
đś Blues on Broadbeach: May 16-19; one of Australiaâs biggest free music festivals returns to Broadbeach with four days of soulful blues performances across multiple stages and venues.
đâŻNBL1 Round 3 - Gold Coast Rollers vs. Logan Thunder: May 17 from 5 pm onwards; catch the excitement as the Gold Coast Rollers take on Logan Thunder in both men's and women's games at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium
đĽâŻMTL14 Pro Fight Series: May 17 from 4 pm; experience nine professional Muay Thai bouts at SOPO Arena, headlined by 'The Prodigy' Jonathan Aiulu's debut against Germany's Elysee Kocheise
đâŻHe Huang â White Manâs Burden: May 21 at 7 pm; comedian He Huang presents a satirical workshop-style performance at HOTA, exploring themes of culture and identity with sharp wit
Community Contributor - Thought for the week
The Hearts âPurposeâ; Heart Health - We remember falling in love, gazing lovingly at a child, so why arenât we generating this wonderful feeling all the time? Driven to fulfil selfish-desires happens instinctively, gratifying but fleeting, and this isnât love, love we mostly have to construct âconsciouslyâ.
Love creates ambience, nurtures and protects you, and all in your presence.
Love heals, prevents heart attacks, helps heal them too.
Want this health challenge? Then every moment you can; breathe in, use your smile to generate a loving feeling, breathe it forth, nourishing your heart, nurturing the world. So simple, 100% effective!
[Sponsored Supplied]