🚀GC'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, it’s Thursday, May 15, and we’re ready for lift-off.
Good luck to the Goldy’s Gilmour crew over the coming few days, where they are set to make history with Australia’s 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: GC’s 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 ‘Blackie’ 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
👌 Enjoy the weekly GC Minute? Get even more with a full subscription here
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Gilmour boys count down to first space launch
By Marshall Hall
What’s 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 Queensland’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport.
Why It Matters: If successful, it’ll 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 ‘Eris’ at lift-off
7-storey: Is the height of the three-stage rocket
10 years: In development this launch has been since Gilmour’s 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 ‘beats traditional rocket fuel’.
What The People Say
“There is a high likelihood of delays or scrubs,” the company warned.
“This is a huge step forward for Australia’s sovereign space capabilities,” 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.
In partnership with local legends Earth Beer Company, we give you the Golden Hour Giveaway 🍯👇
Here’s how to enter the Golden Hour Giveaway:
💌 Be subscribed to our free weekly newsletter (must-have to win!)
✅ Follow The GC Minute + Earth Beer Company on Instagram AND Facebook
📲 Share this post to your story and tag us — help spread the buzz
👯 Tag a mate who makes everything taste better — 1 tag = 1 entry
👌 Bonus +1pt if you’re a paid subscriber to the GC Minute Premium.
🎉 Winners drawn Thursday, May 29, entries close May 28
[Paid partnership with Earth Beer Company]
2. Sunset Run returns with $20M Supercar line-up
What’s 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: It’s 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 year’s convoy
It’s 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 mix—and the Australian debut of a brand-new Rolls-Royce.
What The People Say
“An electric mix of cars, fashion and luxury lifestyle,” said organisers.
What To Look For Next
Catch the convoy at midday—or 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 role’s got lift-off.
3. Vale Graham Black aka ‘Blackie’ 1948 – 2025
Written by Andrew McKinnon
What’s 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 wasn’t 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
1965–70s: 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 wasn’t 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
“There will never be another one quite like it!” – Graham Black
“He was the best goofy footers in Australia.” – 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 it’s not that bad.. is it?
⏮️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
YouTube viewers will start seeing: Ads after ‘peak’ moments in videos.
The world’s 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
👌 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👇
6. Upcoming Events
🏄♂️ Australian 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
🎶 Blues on Broadbeach: May 16-19; one of Australia’s biggest free music festivals returns to Broadbeach with four days of soulful blues performances across multiple stages and venues.
🏀 NBL1 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
🥊 MTL14 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
🎭 He Huang – White Man’s 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 ‘Purpose’; Heart Health - We remember falling in love, gazing lovingly at a child, so why aren’t we generating this wonderful feeling all the time? Driven to fulfil selfish-desires happens instinctively, gratifying but fleeting, and this isn’t love, love we mostly have to construct ‘consciously’.
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]