👾 Hacker Hijacks Suns Facebook
Volume 103: Phone pin most hacked list | Star's $650m US lifeline | Meta's huge subsea cable | 209th Oporto opens in Robina and more!
Welcome back to another Gold Coast Minute Thursday.
Today's newsletter is 1,294 words, a 6.5-minute read.
In today's email
One Big Thing: US giant offers Star Entertainment Group $650m lifeline
A Flame-Grilled Expansion: Oporto adds 209th store in Robina
RFG jumps out of the frying pan and: Into Firehouse Subs
Trending: Aww, that’s cute.. little loggerheads in Palmy
Around the web (Snippets): Hacker hijacks Sun’s FB, Meta’s mega subsea cable, Rookie Titan up for awards, Phone pins you shouldn’t use, Alleged Labrador assault assistance needed and more
Upcoming events
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: One Big Thing: Star Entertainment’s $650m Lifeline – But Will It Hold?
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Gold Coast casino operator The Star Entertainment Group has been thrown a potential $650 million financial lifeline from US investment giant Oaktree Capital Management.
Why It Matters: The GC Minute reported last week that The Star Entertainment Group had confirmed that it was in talks to sell its flagship Brisbane assets as it attempted to stay afloat, given it has been battling financial trouble since a 2021 money laundering scandal.
With a government-appointed manager in place and a potential casino licence suspension looming, its future is uncertain.
By the Numbers
• There are currently 9,000 employees across The Star’s Australian operations
• There has already been a $15 million fine imposed after regulatory breaches
• $650 million funding offer from Oaktree Capital (about $412,000,000.00 USD)
Local Impact: With a large workforce and an even larger supplier network, if The Star collapses, it could hit the Gold Coast’s tourism and events industry, with its casino and convention centre at risk.
Betting on the Future: With the Queensland Government delaying its decision on The Star Gold Coast’s licence suspension, the next few weeks are critical.
What to Look For Next: The five-year deal still needs approval from The Star’s board, government regulators, and existing lenders.
And the full article by Marshall Hall, below👇
🆓 Dig the dig? We’ve got for rewards for sharing 🙌
We’ve updated our referral program to make it heaps easier to get a few little freebies.
If you have seen it already check it out here 👇
2.
Flame-Grilled Expansion: Oporto adds 209th store in Robina
What's Happening: Oporto has officially opened its 28th restaurant in Queensland and 209th nationwide at 20 Scottsdale Drive, Robina on the Gold Coast.
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Got grit? HBS (PNG) Limited is digging deep for a Site Manager – Mining Services to keep their operations running smoother than a freshly graded haul road.
With $220,000.00–$240,000.00 + super on the table, you’ll oversee a team at a mine site, ensuring efficiency, safety, and performance. If contracts, budgets, and heavy machinery are your bread and butter, this one’s for you!
You’ll need:
🚜 5+ years managing Mining Services contracts
👷♂️ Leadership skills to keep the crew motivated
💻 Strong computer skills (spreadsheets won’t dig themselves)
🎓 A diploma or degree to back it up
Based at Australia Fair, if you’re ready to strike gold in mining management, apply now!
Want to advertise a job here?
3. RFG’s Comeback Heats Up with Firehouse Subs
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Retail Food Group (RFG), the Gold Coast-based franchisor behind Gloria Jeans, Brumby’s Bakery, and Donut King, has reported a massive surge in half-year profits, up 73%.
Why It Matters: Once plagued by franchise disputes and a class action lawsuit, RFG has turned a corner.
Now, since getting things cooking, it’s firing up further expansion with the launch of Firehouse Subs in Australia under a 20-year deal.
By the Numbers
$7.3 million half-year profit, a 73% increase.
$12 million has been allocated to launching Firehouse Subs over three years.
Local Impact: This latest move signals its ambition to re-establish dominance in the Australian food franchise sector.
With its headquarters in Robina, RFG’s growth means more jobs and new business opportunities for the Gold Coast and beyond.
A Toasted Comeback: After years of turbulence, RFG is betting big on growth, including its recent purchase of CIBO Espresso’s 22-outlet network.
What The People Say: “Firehouse Subs is a key pillar of our ambitious growth strategy and we are confident consumers will be excited by the brand’s high-quality sandwich product together with an excellent guest experience.” – Matt Marshall, RFG CEO.
What To Look For Next: The success of Firehouse Subs will be a key test of its recovery strategy, and it will be interesting to see how the new brand is embraced.
And the full article below to see just how many Firehouse Subs are planned to be built across the country over the next 10 years.
Hint - It’s in the 100s!
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Is your phone unlocked with PIN 1234, 1111, 0000, or 1342..? If so, you should: Change it as these were just found to be the most common breached PINs, per ABC’s analysis of HaveIBeenPwned.com.
Meet the robot dog, Perceval, that’s going to: Potentially start inspecting train tracks in Sydney instead of humans (software for striking not included..)
You’ve heard of ChatGPT, but have you ever heard of: GhostGPT? You now have an uncensored AI chatbot designed to assist malicious activities like malware creation and phishing scams being used by cybercriminals.. Awesome 👎
More than 200 locals have: Protested outside Gold Coast City Council against the City’s new ‘view tax’
Archaeologists have unearthed ruins of a: 2,000-year-old Roman Basilica Beneath an Office Building in London
Titans rookie Zane Harrison is among: Star-studded finalists for junior Gold Coast Sports Award
Meta announced a subsea cable project that’s going to be: Longer than the Earth’s circumference
Detectives from the GC Criminal Investigation Branch are appealing for: Public assistance to identify two people who may be able to assist with an alleged grievous bodily harm incident in Labrador 👇
6. Upcoming Events
🏄🏽 Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic: February 21 to February 23; the most prestigious event in surf sports history at Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club
🍺 We Love LA – Beer Launch Fundraiser: February 22 from 12 pm to 9 pm; help raise funds for those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles at Black Hops Taprooms
🎵 Double Baked: February 22 from 2 pm to 11:30 pm; big day of musical awesomeness with a bunch of favourite established and up-and-coming acts at Mo's Desert Clubhouse
🎸 Open Sky: Stephanie Jones: February 22 from 7:30 pm onwards; witness the performance of an extraordinarily gifted Australian-born classical guitarist at Robina Auditorium
🚙 Cars & Culture: February 23 from 8 am onwards; an Australia-wide, signature car show at Gold Coast Sports Precinct
🎤 Hunter Duo: February 23 from 3 pm onwards; catch Hunter's performance in the Lounge at Nerang RSL and Memorial Club
🧠 Mental Health First Aid: February 25 from 9 am to 4 pm; Equip yourself with the knowledge to provide crucial aid and foster a culture of compassion at Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre
👵🏼 Gold Coast Seniors Health & Lifestyle Expo: February 27 from 9 am to 1 pm; free information and education for seniors about health and lifestyle at Robina Community Centre Auditorium
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