🏗️ VAILO to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the GC | Banksy's two new murals | Local Landcare Week and more!
🏗️ VAILO to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the GC | Banksy's two new murals | Local Landcare Week and more!
Volume 75: Today's newsletter is 1,282 words, a 5.5-minute read.
Welcome back to a sleepy Thursday after another big night watching our athletes go for gold over in Paris, this time August 8!
🥇 Fun Olympic Fact: Australia holds the distinction of having competed at every single modern Olympics since 1896 and never returning empty-handed from any of the 29 Summer Games to date.
Edwin Flack, the ‘Lion of Athens’, got us off to a flying start back in 1896 with gold medals in the men’s 800m and the 1500m track events and even a bronze in the men’s doubles tennis event.
And we’ve never looked back.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: VAILO to set up manufacturing in the city
Landcare Week: On the Gold Coast
The GC’s 15 y.o. entrepreneur: From lemonade stands to OzSox
Trending: 50 cent fares..
Around The Web (Snippets): Banksy’s two new murals, Cooly airports record-breaking travel stats, dangerous drivers caught off camera dodging trams and more!
Upcoming Events
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: VAILO to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the GC ahead of 2032 Brisbane Olympics
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening
Australian advanced manufacturing company VAILO is setting up a cutting-edge manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Why It Matters
Founded in 2012 by Aaron Hickmann and specialising in ultra-high-performance LED lighting, it has transitioned from an importer to a manufacturer in recent years, enhancing local industry capabilities and opportunities.
What They Said
“VAILO will be better placed for the major investments being made into sporting and other infrastructure ahead of the Brisbane Olympic games and will benefit from being part of an entrepreneurial, innovative and progressive environment to conduct business,” said Mr Hickmann.
What’s To Look For Next
More at the full article, below 👇
2. Landcare Week on the Gold Coast
By Courtney Mulder
What’s Happening
Landcare Week is now on and is an annual celebration held from August 5-11 to acknowledge the people actively restoring, enhancing, and protecting the natural environment in their community.
Why It Matters
With over 100,000 volunteers and thousands of community-led groups across Australia working all year round to preserve local ecosystems for future generations, this is an opportunity to thank volunteers and celebrate their projects.
By the Numbers
• 6,000+ Landcare groups currently work tirelessly year-round in Australia
• 140,000+ is the current approximate number of volunteers dedicating their time to some form of landcare cause
Local Impact
Gold Coast hinterland groups and their projects currently include:
• Austinville Landcare: Restoring a 17km stretch of Mudgeeraba Creek.
• Bonogin Valley Bushcare Group: Revitalising Mudgeeraba Creek at Firth Park.
• Hinterland Regional Park Bushcare Group: Managing weeds and bushland.
• Seed the Ground: Turning food waste into community gardens at Raba Urban Farm.
• Springbrook Wildlife Appreciation Group: Protecting Springbrook’s wildlife.
A Thank You From Us
Thank you to all volunteers for preserving our natural landscapes.
Your dedication ensures these environments thrive for years to come.
3. Local 15-Year-Old entrepreneur launches OzSox eCommerce brand
What’s Happening
Meet Freddie, the 15-year-old local entrepreneur who just launched his latest business, OzSox, a sock brand offering a fun, vibrant range featuring unique Australian designs.
Why It Matters
Starting a business is by no means easy at any age.
Freddie's journey is on a positive trajectory toward success, from selling water to hikers at eight years old to running a beach stall at just 12 years of age.
Though still just 15, his latest pursuit moves him into the eCommerce space by introducing OzSox, starting with the ‘Straya’ sock design that aims to showcase and capture the spirit of national pride (and what a perfect time to do it!).
Zoom Out
From a broad perspective, the Gold Coast is rapidly expanding on many fronts. With the rapid expansion comes an increase in the depth of the industry and the need for local talent who wants to give it a crack.
At just 15, Freddie is young into the game, but you’ve got to start somewhere, and with a track record like Freddies, you’d have to think he maintains his front-runner status in the field and is one to watch.
What To Look For Next.
New designs are coming soon, celebrating iconic Australian animals like the koala, kangaroo, and cockatoo.
With $1 of each purchase being donated to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, you can check read more here, or go to the OzSox website, here.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
A new Gold Coast Homelessness team has: Been set up in the city to combat the increasing problem
Two new murals by the anonymous Banksy were just found in: London, one featuring a goat perched on a ledge, while the other shows two elephants in windows
5.6 million people travelled through Coolangatta airport in: the 23/24 financial year, a record-breaking number for the Gold Coast and showing domestic travel has never been stronger
$28 million is the amount that ChatGPT’s: Mobile app made in July, its biggest month yet, following the release of the new GPT-4o “omni” model in May
QLD’s 50-cent public transport fares have: Begun this week across the public transport network of buses, trains, ferries, and trams.
Jack Karlson, the fellow who became famous for his ‘Succulent Chinese meal’: One-liner when getting arrested has passed away at 82
Gold Coast Airport is getting 600 new: Car parks known as the Saver Car Park
🇦🇺🥇🥇Gold Coast skateboarding royalty wins: Gold in both Arisa Trew and Keegan Palmer taking out the women’s men’s events in Paris
6. Upcoming Events
📋 Before You Go – A Dying to Know Day Community Event: August 9 from 10 am - 12:30 pm; connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for spreading kindness at all stages in our lives, especially in the preparation for end-of-life at Currumbin RSL
🏉 Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks: August 9 from 6:00 pm at CBUS Stadium
🏟️ Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon: August 10 from 5:30 pm; Round 22 at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
🎤 The Kid Laroi: November 11; tickets are now on sale for a seven-city, eight-date tour starting at Home Of The Arts (HOTA)
🇸🇬 🇲🇾 Singapore & Malaysia National Day: August 10 from 11:30 am onwards; celebrate these vibrant nations while embracing multiculturalism and diversity at Mantra Legends Hotel
🤘🏽 Australian Pantera Matinee Show: August 10 from 12 pm - 4 pm; Pantera performed authentically by the Australian Pantera Show at Mo's Desert Clubhouse
🌊 Sea Shepherd Day for the Ocean: August 11 from 8 am onwards; beach clean-ups and other ocean conservation efforts at Palm Beach Parklands
🧘🏼♀️ Double Your Flow, Double Your Results: August 11 from 8:30 am onwards; learn the secrets to tapping into your flow state to get more clients authentically
🧘🏽♂️ One Day Reset: August 11 from 10 am onwards; a workshop that is rooted in somatic practices, meticulously designed to harmonise physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions at Tugun Village Community Centre
🕺🏼 Super Massive + Owls of Neptune: August 15 from 7:30 pm onwards; ultra-funky, dance-inducing rock music at Wallaby Hotel