🏄♂️ Making waves for Birkdale in Brisbane 2032 | Local movers and shakers | $10k in local grants up for grabs and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,216 words: a 6-minute read.
Welcome back to a sleepy Friday after another big night watching our athletes go for gold over in Paris, this time August 9!
🥇 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.
#AllezAUS 🇦🇺💪
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In today’s email
One Big Thing: Creating waves in Birkdale for 2032
Movers and Shakers: Des Kerr
Top Australian Wines: Awarded for excellence
Trending: Courthouse closes
Around the Web (Snippets): Local grant money up for grabs, Banksy’s two new murals, 50 cent fares are here, and more!
Councillors’ Corner
Upcoming Events
Redlands Weather Forecast and Tides
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Wave pool dreams for Redlands 2032
What's Happening
As excitement builds for the 2032 Olympics, Redland City Council is making waves with the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre.
But here’s the big splash – what if we included a wave pool?
With heroes like Olympic Gold Medallist Jess Fox in canoeing and North Stradbroke surfer Ethan Ewing, who reached the Men's quarterfinals, it's prime time make the local training ground bigger and better.
Why It Matters
A wave pool isn't just a thrill for surfers; it’s an economic catalyst. Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch wave pool in California’s Central Valley is a prime example, drawing tourists and enthusiasts year-round.
Including a wave pool at Redland Whitewater Centre would attract surfers from near and far (hello perfect waves and warm weather), sparking continuous local and tourist engagement and ensuring the centre remains relevant post-Olympics.
Zoom In
Why send our surfing stars elsewhere when we can provide top-notch facilities right here?
A wave pool offers endless training opportunities for surfers, not to mention valuable practice grounds for mainland Surf Life Saving Club members.
It's a win-win for the community and our local talent.
By the Numbers
90,000: predicted number of annual jobs created by 2032 Olympics
$3.5B: predicted social benefits generated by 2032 Olympics
$4.5B: boost in tourism and trade
US $12.3M: estimated annual turnover for Kelly Slater’s wave pool
What To Look For Next
Check out RCM’s vision to bring the waves to Birkdale in the full article below 🌊
2. Introducing a local legend – Des Kerr
By Marianne Zander
What's Happening
Des Kerr, a seasoned corporate HR professional, made a bold move to consultancy and now helps small to medium businesses thrive with tailored services.
Why It Matters
Balancing strategic HR and admin tasks shaped Des into a versatile consultant. "I was always trying to find time to work on the business, not in the business," he explains. "I've become skilled at both planning and admin work, essential for small businesses."
Zoom In
Des offers:
General HR Support – contracts, recruitment
Performance Management – investigations, counselling
Training – conflict resolution, leadership
Local businesses can also benefit from his expertise in Fair Work compliance and modern awards.
Local Impact
Des has been a community pillar for 25 years, particularly with his involvement in the Surf Life Saving Club on Coochie. Now Chair of the Redlands Regional Job Committee, he continues to give back.
What To Look For Next
Read more about Des in the full article below and learn how a dedicated People and Culture consultant can make a real difference in your business 👇
3. 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards Celebrate Top Australian Wines
What’s Happening
The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards have unveiled this year’s winners, celebrating excellence in Australian wine.
Award Highlights
Winery of the Year: Giant Steps, Yarra Valley, VIC
Winemaker of the Year: Liz Silkman, Hunter Valley, NSW
Wine of the Year: Oakridge 864 Drive Block Chardonnay 2022, Yarra Valley, VIC
Special Mentions
The event also recognised Sue Hodder of Wynns Coonawarra Estate, inducted into the James Halliday Hall of Fame.
Victoria's Yarra Valley shone brightly with numerous awards, and the Barossa Valley boasted the most five-star wineries.
Halliday Wine Companion Book Release
The ceremony marked the release of the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion book, a must-have guide for wine enthusiasts, featuring over 5000 tasting notes and available now nationwide.
Drink up more of the details in the full article 🍷
4. Trending
4. Around The Web (Snippets)
Community Grants program is accepting applications: For local projects; last year, Council supported 50 projects totalling over $310,000
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
Brisbane mental health institution is: Under investigation for abuse
Nominations for 2024 Redlands Business of Excellence Awards: Close on August 19
Redlands Ekka public holiday is August 12: Plan ahead for council (and business) service closures
Jack Karlson, the fellow who became famous for his ‘Succulent Chinese meal’: One-liner when getting arrested has passed away at 82
Birkdale teen located: After missing for three days
QLD’s 50-cent public transport fares have: Begun this week across the public transport network of buses, trains, ferries, and trams.
5. Councillors’ Corner
Div 1 | Ormiston, Wellington Point | Cr Wendy Boglary
6. Upcoming Events
🏍️ AMX Capalaba Bike Night: August 10, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM; Gear up and gather your crew for Capalaba’s first Bike Night where you can enjoy food, prizes, giveaways and mad discounts.
⚽️ Redlands United vs Gold Coast Knights: August 11, 7:00 PM; Support your local soccer team in Cleveland for their final home game of 2024.
🎡 Cleveland Central Winter Carnival: August 10-14, Join the fun over five action-packed days including face painting, balloon twisting, stilt walkers, jugglers, showbags and the opportunity to meet your favourite Minion, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda characters!
🎤 Craft Brew House – Open Mic Arvo: August 11, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; Enjoy a fab afternoon of live music and good friends. All are welcome to play, sing or simply support.
🤠 Hindley Street Country Club: August 11, from 4:00 PM; Join Australia’s own global online sensation as they perform the biggest songs from the 70s and 80s.
💡 Switch on to Science: August 12, 10:00 AM; Challenge the curious and get thinking about the science in our everyday surroundings at Redlands Museum.
💃 Energia Studios – Beginners Salsa Dance Course: August 13, Shake up your week with a free salsa lesson right here in the Redlands.
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