😮 The 2025 word of the year announced
Volume 144: Runaway Bay nan wins $791k | The 2025 word of the year | Runaway Bay nan wins $791k | Gilston's newest exhibition and heaps more
G’day GC, it’s Thursday again and this time, our 144th edition.
It’s December 4, and summer is back!
Despite feeling like it was about two months ago..
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: The very first section of Coomera Connect opens
Infinitive Perspectives exhibition in Gilston to: Showcase diverse artists of all abilities
Local SEE Group has been: Named GC Business of the Year
Gerry Harvey and Katie Page inducted: Into Gold Coast Business Hall of Fame
Trending: Local warnings of traffic gridlock without major shift to public transport
Around the web: Runaway Bay nan wins $791k, The 2025 word of the year is.., Broadbeach Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, India ditches its big-brother-in-your-pocket idea and heaps more
Upcoming events: Ministry of Sound at Miami Marketta and others 🎅
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Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: One Big Thing: M9 Hits the Road; First leg of Coomera Connector now open
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Gold Coast commuters scored an early Christmas present with the first stretch of the long-awaited Coomera Connector officially open as of this week, connecting Coomera and Helensvale with a slick new four-lane road.
Why It Matters: This fresh link promises to ease M1 congestion and shorten travel times, especially during the peak-hour pain Gold Coasters know too well.
By the Numbers
M9 is what they’re calling the new road
4km of new road is now open, part of a 45km overall project
Without these new infrastructure projects, a standard peak-hour trip from Coomera to Southport would jump from around 23 minutes to an hour.
The project is jointly funded to the tune of $3.4 billion by the state and federal governments.
The Government is pushing ahead with gaining the environmental approvals for the 29km of the corridor between Loganholme and Coomera
Local Impact: Less M1 bottleneck with the M9 will hopefully mean faster commutes, better connectivity and fewer delays for northern GC drivers heading into the holiday crush.
The Road Ahead: With construction powering ahead on the remaining sections, the full M9 is on track to become a critical second route between Logan and the Gold Coast.
What The People Say: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the upgrade was a win for motorists.
“Any local that’s sat on the Coomera stretch of the M1 during peak hour traffic will know what a difference this connector will make,” Ms King said.
“The opening of the M9 will mean a safer, more reliable and smoother journey for thousands of commuters a day.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Coomera Connector was one of Queensland’s largest transport projects.
“We’re proud to be working with the Australian Government to deliver real benefits to Queenslanders - reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting our growing communities,” Mr Mickelberg said.
What To Look For Next: Construction of the two other sections of the first stage is reportedly progressing well, while design and site investigations for the second stage are underway.
And, future commutes that are hopefully a lot shorter than a trip down the M1.
2.
‘Infinitive Perspectives’ exhibition to showcase diverse artists of all abilities
Nestled in the picturesque hinterland suburb of Gilston on leafy Kookaburra Drive, sits the aptly named Kookaburra Art Studio. Founded by artist and passionate disability advocate Diana Penaloza Aponte, the art studio provides people with disabilities an o…
3. SEE Group named GC Business of the Year
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Helensvale-headquartered SEE Group has been named as the Gold Coast’s Business of the Year for the second year in a row.
Why It Matters: SEE Group, which was established by brothers Brian and Bruce Turner in 1988, was named the annual winner in front of a crowd of more than 700 business and political leaders at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards gala at The Star Gold Coast on Saturday night.
It is only the second time in the 30-year history of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards that a company has won two years in a row.
Who Are SEE Group: SEE Group specialises in major infrastructure, urban development and mining projects across Queensland and New South Wales.
The business comprises four main arms that include civil engineering, quarrying, fleet management and mining.
By the Numbers
The company’s staff numbers surged from 420 to 820 in 12 months
SEE Group’s revenue nearly doubled in the same period
There has only ever been one other back-to-back winner since 1995: Zarraffa’s Coffee (2008)
A crowd of more than 700 business and political leaders attended the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards gala at The Star Gold Coast on Saturday night.
It was the 30th year of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards
Local Impact
From major roadworks to mining and fleet logistics, SEE’s expansion is reshaping how the Gold Coast builds and moves.
Engineering the future
With four business aran ms and expanding national reach, SEE is firmly entrenched as a major player in Australia’s infrastructure boom.
What The People Say: Gold Coast Business Excellence Award president Adam Twemlow said the company had experienced an exceptional year of growth.
“In the past 12 months the company has nearly doubled the number of its employees to 820 and it nearly doubled the revenue that it generates,’’ Mr Twemlow said.
Mr Twemlow said the quality of the entrants in the 2025, the Awards’ 30th year, had been exceptional.
“The debate in the final judging was particularly extensive although all the judges were really excited about the chosen winners.
Mr Twemlow said the diversity of the businesses now entering the awards, as opposed to 30 years ago, showed how quickly the city was maturing.
“The Gold Coast, while its roots was originally agriculture and then tourism and construction, is emerging as a powerhouse in a diverse range of industries,’’’ he said.
What To Look For Next: The full list of winners in the other categories of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards at the article below👇
4.
Gerry Harvey and Katie Page inducted into Gold Coast Business Hall of Fame
The co-owners of Magic Millions, Harvey Norman Executive Chair, Gerry Harvey and Harvey Norman CEO, Katie Page, have been inducted into the Gold Coast Business Hall of Fame in a glittering presentation featuring some of Australia’s best-known business and political figures.
Recent newsletters
5. Trending
6. Around The Web (Snippets)
After 72 hours of public voting, Oxford’s 2025 word of the year was announced as: Rage bait, beating out wildcards like “aura farming” and “biohack.” We’re just happy it wasn’t 6-7……….
India hits uninstall on its ‘big brother in your pocket’ spy plan after: Major backlash, scrapping its idea to force a government app onto every smartphone.
Two days ago, Amazon dropped three new: Frontier agents, including one that learns your work style, then gets on with it solo… for days and days.
Talk about a messy breakup… it turns out the giant space rock that smashed into Earth and birthed the Moon 4.5 billion years ago known as: Theia, may have been our cosmic next-door neighbour.
What time does the: Second Ashes Test at the Gabba start and how can I watch it?
Weekly Dream Gig
This week: Trade your commute for a poolside empire, StayCo Limited is hunting a Resort Manager or Management Couple to run a three-tower holiday hotspot in Broadbeach, Gold Coast.
With a $150,000.00k+ salary (according to Seek filters), a 3-bedroom onsite apartment (utilities included) and 265 units plus cafés, gyms and spas to wrangle, this is less sea change, more full-time resort kingdom all year round.
7. Upcoming Events
🏀 Basketball Australia – Australian School Championships – Thu 4–Fri 5 Dec, 8 am–7 pm; the national pinnacle of secondary school basketball continues at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre in Carrara, featuring hundreds of competing teams across multiple courts.
🎄 North Burleigh Carols by the Sea – Thu 4 Dec, 4–8 pm; beachside Christmas celebrations fill Ed Hardy Park in Miami with markets, food trucks, kids’ activities and live carols from 6 pm, plus a visit from Santa.
✨ Astra Lumina Gold Coast – Thu 4–Wed 10 Dec, from 6 pm; Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary transforms into an immersive illuminated night walk featuring glowing pathways, projection art and celestial audio effects.
🎅 Mayor’s Christmas Carols – Sat 6 & Sun 7 Dec, 4–8:30 pm; HOTA hosts two massive nights of festive entertainment with Ricki-Lee, Lenny Pearce, Looney Tunes Christmas Show and fireworks, with the main show running 6–8:30 pm.
🥊 Ring of Fire – Opetaia vs Cinkara – Sat 6 Dec, doors 4:30 pm, first bell 5:15 pm; world champion Jai Opetaia defends his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre with a stacked undercard.
🏐 Australian Volleyball Schools Cup – Sun 7–Wed 10 Dec, from 8 am; the Southern Hemisphere’s largest school sporting event runs across Carrara, Coomera, Runaway Bay and A.B. Paterson with hundreds of teams competing daily.
🎧 Ministry of Sound Testament 2025 – Sun 7 Dec, 12–8 pm; Miami Marketta hosts an all-day electronic celebration featuring Judge Jules (UK), Tall Paul (UK), Yolanda Be Cool and more across an 18+ daytime party.