Sea World wins $10m wildlife hospital
Volume 122: GC giant child sex abuse shame | Amazon Prime day deals | Sunscreen SPF test failures | Tassie's AI Factory and more
G’day and welcome back to the GC Minute, it’s a windy Thursday, July 3.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Sea World wins $10m wildlife hospital
The Doyles Art Award: Mudgeeraba’s creative heartbeat is back this July
Gold Coast giant in: Child sex abuse shame
Trending: A message for this wind..
Around The Web (Snippets): Sunscreen labels fail SPF testing, Tassie to host nation’s largest AI Factory, Amazon Prime Day deals, child monitoring spyware app warning and more
Upcoming Events
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1. One Big Thing: Sea World wins $10m wildlife hospital
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: The Sea World Foundation has landed a $10 million State Government grant to build a public-facing marine hospital on the Gold Coast, enhancing rescue and rehabilitation for dolphins, turtles, whales, seals, and seabirds.
Why It Matters: In addition to being a win for wildlife, the facility is also set to become a key ecotourism draw, combining conservation with public education in a region where marine life is everywhere and mishaps are frequent.
By the Numbers
Last year alone, there were 400+ marine animals rescued by Sea World, ranging from sea snakes to dugongs and more
The Foundation has assisted with over 30 years of marine rescue experience
Local Impact: From jet ski collisions to fishing line injuries, marine threats are real here, and this hospital puts help and public awareness closer to where the action is.
Sea Change with Science: Live vet work, conservation talks, and behind-the-scenes access will give visitors a front-row seat to marine science.
What The People Say
“Our $10 million in funding means more animals can be rehabilitated and released on the Gold Coast, where dangers like boat propellers pose a threat to native wildlife,” – said Minister Andrew Powell.
“The marine hospital will also create a unique ecotourism experience for the Gold Coast, a sector in which our Destination 2045 20-year tourism plan has set a clear goal to become a world leader.”
“The project would allow the Sea World team to have an even greater impact on Australian marine life.” – said Clark Kirby, Village Roadshow CEO
“The state-of-the-art marine hospital and conservation hub will allow our specialised veterinary and marine animal experts to help more animals, and educate the millions of guests who visit Sea World on conservation efforts to minimise impacts on the environment.
What To Look For Next: The full article, below.
2.
The Doyles Art Award: Mudgeeraba’s creative heartbeat is back this July
Over the past few days, hundreds of artists have been dropping off their prized paintings in Mudgeeraba for the much-anticipated annual Doyles Art Award. Some paintings have even flown in from interstate to take part in this Gold Coast hinterland tradition.
Weekly Dream Gig
This week: Jimmy Choo is on the hunt for a Full Time Sales Assistant to bring bold glamour to its brand new David Jones Pacific Fair store in Broadbeach.
If you’ve got a knack for luxury retail, love building client relationships, and can turn a casual browse into a red carpet moment, this is your chance to join a global fashion icon.
Paying $60,000.00+ (according to Seek filters), perks include staff discounts across Capri Holdings brands, birthday leave, parental leave, and real career development. It’s retail, but elevated.
👠 Time to walk the walk?
3. Gold Coast giant in child sex abuse shame
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Gold Coast–based G8 Education is under national scrutiny after a former employee was charged with more than 70 child sex offences at Melbourne centres involving victims aged between five months and two years of age.
Why It Matters: As Australia’s second-largest childcare provider, G8’s involvement in a case of this magnitude has sent ripples across the industry and country, prompting widespread shock and urgent health screenings for those involved.
By the Numbers
G8 Education operates 400+ centres, caring for 40,000+ children
1,200 children who have attended the centres have been advised to be screened for infectious diseases
70+ charges against former employee, Joshua Brown
Local Impact: In a statement, G8 Education said the safety and well-being of every child in its care was its highest priority.
“We are aware that a former G8 Education team member has been charged with offences involving children,’’ the company said.
“These allegations are serious in nature and are extremely distressing. We are focussed on supporting all those impacted not just at our centres, but across the community.
“Aligned with G8 Education’s commitment to child safety and protection, during the former team member’s employment, all required employment and background checks, including Working With Children Checks, were current in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
What The People Say
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she was “sickened” by the reports.
“My heart just breaks for the families who are living every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
What To Look For Next: The full article below.
4. Trending
🕰️ In Case You Missed It
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
It has been decided that Tasmania will host the nation’s largest: AI facility, with the creation of a world-first AI Factory Zone in the northern part of the island
New research using guineafowl races suggests dinosaurs were: Probably slower than we once thought.
Microsoft will lay off: 9,000 employees, or less than 4% of the company, amid hefty AI bets
ASICS is getting ready to run with the: Gold Coast Marathon this weekend
Beware of Catwatchful, a spyware masquerading as a child monitoring app that claims: To be “invisible and cannot be detected,” all the while uploading the victim’s phone’s private contents to a dashboard viewable by the person who planted the app.
The Gold Coast Titans have come together to help launch the: 2025 GC NAIDOC day event
Amazon Prime Day 2025, date and early deals have been: Released with all the latest news on this year's upcoming mega-sale
6. Upcoming Events
🎨 The Doyles Art Award: July 3; explore a diverse range of artworks from emerging and established artists at Mudgeeraba Memorial Hall.
🏀 GC Rollers v Northside Wizards: July 5 from 5 pm to 10 pm; NBL1 Round 10 at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium
👟 Gold Coast Marathon: July 6–7; thousands of runners take to the streets in Australia’s flattest and fastest marathon course, from Southport to Burleigh and back.
🐳 Gold Coast Whale Festival: July 6; celebrate the whale migration with marine education, entertainment, and family activities at Burleigh Heads.
☁️ Wonder 2025: Cloud Play at HOTA: Now through July 13; experience “Cloud Play,” a 530sqm kinetic sculpture made from community-contributed ribbons, floating above HOTA’s lawn as part of the Wonder 2025 program.
🎨 Surface: The Miami Street Art Festival: June 29 – July 13; watch as Miami transforms into an open-air gallery with live mural paintings and street art installations.