🚀 Gilmour Space hits $1B valuation
Volume 149: $100k local lotto ticket still unclaimed | Dreamworld rides a wave of success | Netflix plans major app redesign | ChatGPT adds age prediction for minors and heaps more
G’day and welcome back, it’s January 22.
Happy Australia Day long weekend ahead, and here’s cheers to focusing on all the good things this country has to offer 🇦🇺!
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Dreamworld rides a wave of success
World surfing event lines up on: The Southern Gold Coast
Grubs on the run after: Cowardly attack on pensioner
Trending: Local gym being shady…
Around the web: Gilmour Space hits $1B valuation, ChatGPT adds age prediction for minors, $100K lotto ticket still unclaimed and more
Upcoming events: Including Australia Day events 🍖
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Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Dreamworld rides a wave of success
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Dreamworld says it is on track for a record year with attending numbers at its Gold Coast attractions surging in the six months to the New Year.
Coast Entertainment Holdings, which owns Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and Skypoint, says ticket sales jumped 46.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2024-25.
Why It Matters: The surge in visitation and revenue signals strong momentum for one of the Gold Coast’s biggest tourism operators, even as broader economic challenges continue to impact discretionary spending.
By The Numbers
46.6% increase in ticket sales
44.4% increase in total visitation
30% revenue growth
$62.2 million revenue recorded
What To Look For Next: The full article below.
2. World surfing events line up on the Southern Gold Coast
What’s Happening: Three major world surfing events will take place across the Southern Gold Coast in February.
The World Club Championship will run from 13 to 15 February at Snapper Rocks.
The World Surfing Conservation Conference 2026 will be held from 16 to 19 February at Southern Cross University.
The month concludes with the Gold Coast Open QS 4000, running from 18 to 22 February at Burleigh Heads.
Why It Matters: The events highlight the Southern Gold Coast as a global surfing hub and a centre for surf break protection.
Andrew McKinnon, President of Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve and host organiser, said the timing reflects the area’s importance.
“What a super exciting time for the Southern end of the Gold Coast, the home of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve,” Mr McKinnon said
Local Impact: City of Gold Coast will use the conference to unveil its Surfing Infrastructure Master Plan and its recreational water quality monitoring stations program.
By The Numbers:
Over 80 speakers will present during the four-day conference, covering coastal protection, shark mitigation, artificial reefs, water quality, and health and well-being
19 countries are represented, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Guinea, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rapa Nui, Spain, the UK and the USA
3 major world surfing events will run across February, linking elite competition with conservation and education
What to look for next: Tickets for the anniversary celebration can be purchased here, with full program details available on the conference website.
Read more in the full article 👇
3.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Netflix to redesign its app as it competes with social platforms like: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, for daily engagement
OpenAI has added age prediction features to: ChatGPT to restrict what minors see
Google reveals surprise Chrome update just for iPhone: Adding a new ‘Safari import’ option to move your info from Safari to Chrome on your iPhone
Australia shuts dozens of: East coast beaches after shark attacks
Sydney Fish Market opens after a: Decade of design and construction
Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Siemens is hiring an Application Engineer (Customer Care) in Yatala to provide technical support across its medium-voltage switchgear portfolio, working directly with customers, R&D, and manufacturing to keep power networks operating safely and reliably.
This full-time hybrid role offers hands-on exposure to industry-leading grid technologies, strong career growth opportunities, and the chance to work at the intersection of advanced engineering, customer impact, and digital innovation.
6. Upcoming Events
🏈 #9PL Gold Coast 2026: January 24-25 at 225 Morala Ave, Runaway Bay; a festival of footy for all the family including prizes, food trucks, raffles and more
🐎 Silks Under The Stars Race Evening: January 23, Racecourse Dr; featuring the GC1000 and Magic Millions The Debut
🇦🇺 Australia Day Events:
Australia Day Weekend at Den Devine: January 25; a full send Sunday session with Greg Wall & Wildfires ripping out Aussie rock classics all arvo and into the night
Australia Day at Sanctuary Cove: January 26; live beats by Dancefloor Empire, free water slides, good food, laughs, and that quintessential Australian atmosphere
Australia Day Celebrations: January 26 at HOTA; this family friendly, free event kicks off at 4 pm, enjoy live and local music by 42BAND, food trucks and a fireworks finale at approximately 7 pm
