🚒 Mount Cotton firefighter named everyday hero finalist | QLD hit tourism highs | Meta's Orion glasses Australia Day reinstated to January 26 | Redlands Coast AdventureFest and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,055 words: a 4.5-minute read.
Happy Redland City Minute Thursday, this time, it’s September 26!
🎲 That’s Fun: Guessable, a Wordle-esque trivia game, added a new category for notable people, joining its geography and movie categories.
In today’s email
One Big Thing: Mount Cotton Firefighter Named Everyday Hero Finalist
Queensland Tourism Hits: Record Highs
Redlands Coast AdventureFest to debut: In 2025
Trending: Zoo pandas painted as dogs..
Around the Web (Snippets): Volunteers needed for disaster season, Local Council’s reinstate Australia Day celebrations to January 26, Meta’s Orion AR glasses and more!
Upcoming Events
Redlands Weather Forecast and Tides
The Weekly Dream Gig
In Thornlands, Doggy Styles Dayspa and Grooming is chasing a Dog Groomer, paying up to $36.22 per hour to help provide high-quality dog grooming services, including washing, clipping, and styling.
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live National Housing Price Index
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1. One Big Thing: Mount Cotton Firefighter Named Everyday Hero Finalist
What’s Happening
Mount Cotton Station Officer Lochlan Patterson has been named as a finalist in the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards, recognising his dedication to community education and peer support for fellow firefighters.
Why It Matters
Lochlan’s commitment goes beyond firefighting—he supports both his community and colleagues, helping them build resilience and navigate the mental demands of emergency service work.
By the Numbers
Lochlan is one of 23 from across Queensland.
There are six award categories: Including Achievement, Dedication, and Excellence.
10 years ago, Lachlan’s career began in the Queensland Police before transitioning to the fire service.
Local Impact
Lochlan’s focus on safety and resilience has strengthened ties in the Redlands and Logan communities, creating a lasting positive impact.
Building Resilience
As a Peer Support Officer, Lochlan ensures his colleagues’ mental well-being, offering guidance and support 24/7.
What The People Say
“Firefighters are pillars of strength for people on their hardest days,” says Lochlan.
What To Look For Next
The full article, below 👇
2. Queensland Tourism Hits Record Highs
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening
Queensland’s tourism sector is booming, with 27.7 million visitors spending $34.7 billion in the year ending June 2024, according to Tourism Research Australia.
Why It Matters
With visitors spending $95 million in Queensland every day, this surge in tourism is critical for Queensland’s economy, creating jobs and driving the recovery from the pandemic, which still has a long way to go before reaching levels seen before COVID-19.
By the Numbers
76.3% is how much the market has recovered compared to pre-Covid levels
466,000 is the number of people from New Zealand who have visited, the most of any country, followed by the USA and UK
$34.7 billion is the total visitor spending to June 30
Local Impact
Tourism supports 260,000 Queensland jobs at present, and the increase in visitor spending is a massive boost for local businesses, especially in hospitality and events on the Gold Coast.
A New Tourism Wave
With international travel rebounding and campaigns like Virgin Australia’s airfare deal, Queensland is cementing its position as a top global destination.
What The People Say
“The results show our hard work is paying off,” says Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan.
What To Look For Next
The full article, below 👇
3. Redlands Coast AdventureFest Debuts in 2025
What’s Happening
Redland City Council is setting itself up to be an adventure destination by launching the first-ever Redlands Coast AdventureFest in May 2025.
Why It Matters
The AdventureFest aims to establish Redlands Coast as a premier nature-based adventure destination, drawing national attention and boosting the local economy.
The festival will span two weekends, featuring outdoor sports like kayaking, mountain biking, and surfing.
By the Numbers
$1.21 million is the economic impact of 10,000 visitors that the event will attract
$121 is the average spend per day visitor to the Redlands Coast
$203 is the average spend per overnight visitor to the city
Local Impact
The festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors, benefit local businesses and increase tourism year-round.
From the islands, bays, and into bushland—different areas of the city will be offering a variety of adventure sports.
What The People Say
“We can position ourselves as a top adventure destination,” says Mayor Jos Mitchell.
What To Look For Next
Planning for the Redlands Coast AdventureFest is underway—more event details will be released soon.
4. Trending
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5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Volunteers are urgently needed across southeast Queensland to: Help provide support in the upcoming natural disaster season
LinkedIn is quietly using your data to: Train its AI, and here’s how to stop it
Australia Day celebrations have been reinstated to January 26 this week at multiple Councils following: Independent community surveys showed a significant majority of their general populations want it to remain on the date
Baz Luhrmann’s film company is: Setting up headquarters on the Gold Coast
A 12-minute piece of music that hasn’t been heard in centuries: Written by Mozart, has just been discovered in a German library, and you can now hear
In a planned rebrand, OpenAI is testing a new: Logo, which, so far, employees hate
Tupperware parties are no more after the company: Filed for bankruptcy this week
Meta unveiled its Orion augmented: Reality sunglasses where your eyes act as the mouse of a computer 👇
6. Upcoming Events
🎵 Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows: September 26 from 7:30 pm onwards; live concert at the Redland Performing Arts Centre
🎨The Four P's: Pastel, Paint, Pen & Pencil by David Lamont: Monday, 30 September 2024 The Redland Museum in South East Queensland is proud to present an exhibition by artist David Lamont
🌵 Create and connect- Cactus Pots: October 1, 1:30 – 3 pm Want a cactus garden that rocks? Come and create your very own Cactus Rock Garden!
📚 Mobile Library Stop: October 1, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, with curated collections of new and popular titles, free Wi-Fi, friendly staff and a pet-friendly outdoor seating area, the Mobile Library is a great way to keep in touch throughout the community.
🌎Life on Earth: An artist's perspective: October 2, The Redland Museum in South East Queensland is proud to present a Fine Art Exhibition with artists Rhyl Henzell and Louise Saunders, 'Life on Earth: An artist's perspective'.
🤰Connecting Mums-to-Be: October 2,3-4 pm Whether you are a first-time mum or already have little ones, you will be welcomed into this supportive space.
💃 No Lights No Lycra Redlands Coast: October 2, For one hour, we turn out the lights and crank up the tunes to shake out the stresses of the week, get lost in the music, and dance for the sheer joy of dancing.