🍼 Gold Coast giant to close 40 childcare centres
Volume 163: Taylor Swift deepfake scam | Super rare lego auction | Gold Coast Pro kicks off | Business Excellence Awards officially launch and heaps more!
G’day GC and welcome back to another weekly newsletter. It’s April 30
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: GC Business Excellence awards officially launched
A super rare Lego Collection is: Drawing global bids
Gold Coast childcare giant: To close 40 centres
Around The Web: Local teen wins a dream Subaru WRX, Taylor Swift deepfake scam, Gold Coast Pro kicks off and heaps more
Trending: The height of entitlement in Tugun..
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1. One Big Thing: Deputy Mayor launches 2026 Excellence Awards
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Business owners are being urged to submit entries to the 2026 Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards at a ceremony attended by a Who’s Who list of Gold Coast business community at the Sea World Resort.
Why It Matters: Now with more than 30 years behind it, the awards have become a serious growth lever, helping businesses boost credibility, win new work and attract top talent in an increasingly competitive market.
By the Numbers:
The Awards have been running for 31 years, celebrating Gold Coast business excellence
There are 15 award categories this year, reflecting a broader, more diverse economy
Entries close 5pm, May 1 (tomorrow!) for the upcoming round
Local Impact: The awards track the city’s evolution from tourism hotspot to a diversified economy, with strength across health, education and advanced manufacturing, particularly in the northern corridor.
What The People Say: President of the GCBEA, Adam Twemlow, said the Awards were not just a reflection of company successes but a testament to the vibrant Gold Coast community.
“The awards, which are now in their 31st year, are about rewarding those business operators who are the best in their fields,’’ Mr Twemlow said.
“For the companies and their staff who are recognised, these awards serve as a powerful motivator.
“The Gold Coast has changed from its origins as an agricultural centre and then its emergence as a tourism capital, to today, where it has a robust and diversified economy that is no longer subject to a boom-bust economy,’’ said Mr Twemlow.
What To Look For Next: Entries for the 2026 May Awards are due at 5 pm on Friday, May 1.
In 2026, the awards’ major sponsors include:
Village Roadshow Theme Parks
Australian Retirement Trust
Invest Gold Coast
City of Gold Coast
Westpac, Optus
Walker Corporation
Griffith University
Queensland Department of Customer Services
Open Data and Small and Family Business
See Group
Homecorp
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce
Gold Coast Airport, and
Abedian and Co.
The awards’ media sponsors include the Gold Coast Bulletin, 92.5 MMM and SeaFM 90.9, Channel 7, GWEN Creative and Go Transit.
*Note: The author’s company manages the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards.
2.
3. Gold Coast childcare giant to close 40 centres
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Gold Coast-based G8 Education has announced it will close around 40 childcare centres after posting a multi-hundred-million-dollar loss.
Why It Matters: The Varsity Lakes-headquartered company announced the move at its annual general meeting after the company posted a net loss of over $300 million for 2025.
With around 400 childcare centres throughout Australia, and employing thousands to care for 36,000 children a week, it’s set to cause disruption for some families.
By the Numbers:
$303.3 million was the net loss reported in 2025
Around 10% of centres are set to be shut or suspended
36,000 children cared for weekly across the 400 centres
What They Said: Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Pejman Okhovat said occupancy at its childcare centres was falling in 2026, with year-to-date attendance 7.9 per cent lower than in 2025.
The company is also looking to reduce costs through purchases and restructuring its support offices.
“While decisions like these are never easy, it is absolutely the right thing to do to achieve the outcomes I have just outlined to you,’’ he said.
Mr Okhovat said G8 Education’s priorities were clear.
“Child safety and paramountcy sit at the core of our culture and governance and underpin every decision we make,’’ he said.
What To Look For Next: The full article below.
4. Around the web
Gold Coast teen wins dream Subaru giveaway
·
What’s Happening: A Gold Coast student has won a Subaru WRX through a national giveaway run by..
Internet scammers are using deepfake AI-generated videos of: Celebrities like Rihanna and Taylor Swift to promote dodgy services
Motorola unveiled a new: Razr Fold, with a hefty price tag to match it, about AUD $2,700
Florence’s ‘Fountain of Neptune’ has been damaged after a: Tourist groped the marble statue, for a dare in pursuit of social media clout..
This weekend’s Round 9 clash between the: Titans and Raiders, will signal the revival of the season for the winner
All the evidence is out on the table in the: Sam Altman versus Elon Musk stoush
The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro is set to: Kick off May 1, with the event window running until May 11
Take a ride on the world’s: Shortest commerical flight, which covers a total distance of 2.7km.. 👇
5. Trending
Recent newsletters
Last week’s top-clicked link was 👇
GC duplex named as nation’s best home
A Gold Coast duplex has been named Australia’s Home of the Year.
Weekly dream gig
This week - If running multi-million builds and calling the shots from day one sounds like your kind of chaos, this one’s for you.
Gallo Build is chasing a top-tier Project Manager to lead high-end developments on the Gold Coast. Think early-stage ownership, working alongside a major developer, and driving projects through to completion.
The package is serious with $250,000.00–$330,000.00, a strong pipeline and a team that delivers.
Big builds, big budget, big say.
6. Upcoming events
🎪 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro – Fri 1 May–Wed 7 May, from morning; the WSL Championship Tour is back at Snapper Rocks, with world-class surfing and beachside buzz rolling through Coolangatta. Event.
🏉 Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders – Sat 2 May, 3 pm; Cbus Super Stadium gets loud for a proper NRL Saturday arvo hit-out against the Raiders. Tickets.
🎸 Here Comes The Sun Festival – Sat 2 May, Queen Elizabeth Park; Lime Cordiale, The Jungle Giants, Young Franco and Sycco bring a sun-soaked music festival to Coolangatta alongside the surf action. Tickets.
🏉 Gold Coast SUNS v GWS Giants – Sun 3 May, 7:20 pm; Sunday night AFL lands at People First Stadium, with gates open from 5:30 pm and the VFL curtain-raiser earlier in the day. Game day guide.
🎸 Skeggs at Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro – Sun 3 May, 4:30–5:30 pm; a free beachside set on the sand at Snapper Rocks to keep the surf festival energy humming. Event.
🎧 BAILE INoLVIDABLE: Bad Bunny Appreciation Party – Fri 1 May, 7 pm; Miami Marketta goes full reggaeton, Latin hip hop and R&B for a sweaty Friday night dancefloor. Tickets.
🎬 Gold Coast Film Festival – Fri 1 May–Sun 3 May; catch the final weekend of films, filmmaker sessions and cinema buzz across the Gold Coast. Festival.
🛍️ HOTA Farmers & Artisan Markets – Sun 3 May, 6–11:30 am; coffee, farm-fresh produce, handmade bits and a cruisy lakeside wander to kick off Sunday properly. Market.