Latest news with #BrettThompson
ABC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Business groups angry after Sunshine Coast Council scraps midnight NYE fireworks again
Business and tourism leaders have slammed a Queensland council after it voted not to hold midnight fireworks on New Year's Eve for the second year in a row. The Sunshine Coast Council controversially cancelled last year's traditional midnight display in Mooloolaba, citing cost and public safety reasons despite the region having the state's lowest crime rates. Now the council has doubled down, ignoring the results of a small resident survey that showed a slight preference for midnight fireworks over an earlier display. The Sunshine Coast will spend $376,000 on an 8.30pm show and another $470,000 to decorate poles and trees with Christmas banners. But the midnight display costing $133,000 — or 36 cents per resident — was seen as unaffordable. The Sunshine Coast Council, which has a $587 million budget, announced a hiring freeze in January. On Wednesday, councillors voted nine to two to seek private sponsorship to fund the midnight display, or the New Years Eve event would finish at 9pm. Tourism operators slammed the move as "short-sighted" for a large holiday destination. "I can't understand ... it's astounding," Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce president Brett Thompson said. "We're one of the major tourist attractions in Queensland. "The backlash last year was huge. No doubt it's going to be a major, major backlash again this year." Councillor Terry Landsberg said the decision was embarrassing. "For an amount of $133,000 … we're really talking about an amount of money that should be readily available out of general revenue from council's rates," he said. Cr Landsberg criticised the methodology used to justify the decision, noting the 444 people who filled out a survey represented just 0.12 per cent of the region's residents. Councillor Taylor Bunnag said it came down to priorities. "We should have Coca-Cola fountains at every five-minute interval when I go for a walk — the question is who pays for it all?" he said. "The cost of midnight fireworks … cannot be carried alone, and nor should it be, by ratepayers." He appealed to businesses to "please help us fund these fireworks". Deputy Mayor Maria Suarez said businesses got the main benefit, so they should pay. "If they want it, put your hand in your pocket and help support it," she said. Mayor Rosanna Natoli spoke passionately in favour of the council running the midnight fireworks, but still voted to reject funding them. "The reputational damage cannot be underestimated," she said. "What message does it send … if on New Year's Eve, the one night when people are prepared to stay up late, we say forget it, go home at 9pm? "We most definitely should have a celebration at midnight. Anything less is selling our region short. "The motion calls for us to be seeking external [funding] support, and I guess at a time where we do have these budgetary constraints … I guess I'm prepared to support the motion." Sunshine Coast Business Council chair Sandy Zubrinich said the region was a "nanny state". "This is absolutely unexplainable, we're a tourist region," she said. Ms Zubrinich said the council had a civic duty to hold community events, and she was disappointed the mayor publicly supported midnight fireworks, but ultimately voted against funding them. She said she was concerned about the council's "diabolical" financial management. "For them not to be able to fund $130,000 … why is their budget in such a poor state?" she said. "There ought to be some people held accountable." Ms Zubrinich said she was unsure whether private businesses would step forward to fund the fireworks. "The other question of course is, could the private sector do it actually cheaper than $130,000? It seems to be a lot of money for one location," she said. Councillor Joe Natoli said the decision short-changed the community. "It just blows me away," he said. "We've taken the fun out of the event, it's a babysitting event [now]. "You want to make it safe, but if we're going to have a festival … we want people to enjoy themselves."
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Wellington Tuesday previews: Awesome foursome looms for Bob Slack-Smith's galloper Cumboogle
One of the Central West's most in-form horses can chalk up another win for one of the region's most famous and longstanding industry figures when racing comes to Wellington on Tuesday. The Brett Thompson -trained Cumboogle is aiming for his eighth career win today and what would be his fourth in a row this preparation. Cumboogle is owned by Dr Bob Slack-Smith who earned his respect and reputation as a 'studmaster' in the now by-gone era when they existed. One look at Cumboogle's own heritage is like looking back in time to when Slack-Smith's Lucernvale Stud at Dubbo was a popular location for broodmare owners eager to tap into the Stud's prolific bread and better resident sires, Vain Karioi and Pacific Prince. They, by the way, are the respective sires of Cumboogle's third and fourth dams. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Cumboogle's winning stretch is a far cry from his debut at Dubbo in May 2022, when beaten 15 lengths. Even so, Thompson knew he was better than that. 'He used to be a horse that we always knew could gallop but he used to over-do and was going too hard when you didn't want him to be and not finishing his races off fully because he wasn't breathing properly through the run,'' the Gulgong based trainer explained. 'We said from day one when he was a two-year-old, I told Bob that he had a nice horse but he just didn't want to relax and for some reason, with a five or six weeks spell, he just went out and decided to come back a different horse.'' Fast forward to the present and Cumboogle's hat-trick were emphatic in nature with a combined winning margin in excess of five-lengths and a very slick sub 57-seconds at Quirindi two weeks ago. Cumboogle dominates Race 6 at Quirindi! ðŸ'° — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 29, 2025 Cumboogle's mission on Tuesday is the Wellington Soldiers Memorial Club Benchmark 66 Handicap (1100m) with a 61kg steadier after the claim for apprentice Zoe Hunt. 'He's been really running through the line and that's why we are looking forward to getting out to the 1100m (on Tuesday),'' Thompson says. 'I am sure he will run 1200m this prep so I think the 1100m will really suit him. 'He can carry weight. You saw what he carried the other day at Quirindi, he won with 63 kilos.'' Thompson has a strong hand to play at Tuesday's Wellington meeting, notably with the lightly-raced and reliable mare The Git Up, who will have her share of admirers in the Federal Hotel Maiden Handicap (1100m). 'She was first-up the other day and it was a really, really good run,'' says Thompson. 'She just got spat out the back, there was carnage coming across from outside early in the race after the jump. 'I am not saying she would have won but she would have been very close in the finish. 'She's going really well and I expect her to run a very strong race on Tuesday.' Interestingly, all three placegetters from The Git Up's last start will be present at Wellington, namely (the winner) Pressnell and the third placed I'm Independent who also happens to be trained at Gulgong by Thompson. 'I think she'll be very hard to beat too,'' he said. 'She has really thrived since her run the other day. She's eating well and bouncing off her head.' Thompson meanwhile is forecasting a strong showing from stable pair Dupenny and Tropicana's Cube when they face off in the Grand Hotel Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m). â– â– â– â– â– Trainer Mack Griffith is prepared to play the long game with the exciting – and hulking – galloper Pressnell who is off to Wellington on Tuesday to enhance both his bank balance and reputation. While the prizemoney is always welcome, Griffith, is just as eager to add some seasoning and racecraft to Pressnell's box of tricks as his career only begins to take shape. The gelding, who is named in honour of living legend Max Presnell, resumed at Dubbo nine-days ago, running right up to his Winx-like odds to win by three lengths. 'He has got plenty of ability but he still doesn't know what it is all about so we don't want to throw him in the deep-end too quickly and lose the plot,'' Griffith said. 'We just want to take him steady for now and put him in the easiest possible races so he can learn while he is winning hopefully.' Pressnell will carry 59kg in the KFC Wellington Class 1 Handicap (1100m) on Tuesday. 'He is weighted up to his best for a horse that is coming out of maiden company but he has drawn well whereas a lot of the chances have drawn wide so that brings him right into the race,'' Griffith said. 'It's his first go past 1000m but Wellington will suit his style of racing.' Pressnell has been ridden twice by Aaron Bullock and once by Nick Heywood in his career total of three starts. He will have another of Australia's most reliable riders on board this time with Chad Lever gladly taking up Griffith's offer. 'We went for a more experienced jockey, because like I say, the horse is still very green and he'll need a bit of help and you don't lose anything with Chad on a horse that's for sure,'' the recent Wagga Town Plate -winning trainer said. Griffith, who will be at Scone on Friday with said Town Plate winner Compelling Truth, is forecasting a better effort at Wellington from the well-bred Crown Legend in the OTL Over The Line Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1700m). 'It was a really wet track the other day and he just didn't handle it at all,'' Griffith explained. 'As soon as it was time to quicken at the end, his legs went everywhere. 'On a drier surface on Tuesday, I am hoping for a much improved run.'
The Guardian
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Six reasons why the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the perfect family day out
Whether you're into superyacht luxury or messing around under the hood, there's nothing quite like the lifestyle that goes along with getting out on the water. That's why the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) returns every year to celebrate all things boating through a four-day event held on the Gold Coast. SCIBS will cram a lot into its 36th annual event when it returns to Sanctuary Cove from 22-25 May. On the main stage, there will be something for the whole family, with stage shows plus cooking, boating and fishing tips. All event long, an amazing selection of sleek superyachts will be docked and on display on the marina, ready for you to admire, and SCIBS hosts lots of kid-friendly immersive experiences, making it an unbeatable day out for everyone. Photograph: supplied Here are six reasons to be there – with the little ones in tow – when SCIBS returns for 2025. Colourful street performers will be roving SCIBS for the length of the event. They'll be dressed as everything from awe-inspiring acrobats on stilts to beautiful mermaids – in costumes that are sure to delight little visitors. And yes, they will stop for photos. Mr Kaboodle and the Wobbly Pirate Show. Photograph: supplied On the main stage you can settle in for a SCIBS staple: Mr Kaboodle and the Wobbly Pirate Show. This fantastic kids' show is on throughout the weekend, so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch it. The Berkley Supertank offers spectators a fish's-eye view of the world without having to get wet. A giant mobile fish tank, it will entertain dad and the kids alike. Little ones will love the chance to see so many fish swimming about, while fishing aficionados will get to watch expert Brett Thompson demonstrate different types of lures and angling techniques. Photograph: supplied Take the kids out on the water in the Sea Trial Zone, where you will have the chance to step aboard the latest vessels in an immersive boating experience. Experts will show you the ropes and be on hand to answer any questions you might have during the demonstration. This year, SCIBS is also launching a new Luxury Sea Trial Precinct, giving premium buyers an exclusive opportunity to test-drive cutting-edge vessels on the stunning Gold Coast waters. There's a dedicated kids' zone to be found at SCIBS, where you can stop in to enjoy oh-so-fun things such as face painting, glitter tattoos and arts and crafts. Photograph: supplied Saturday 24 May is World Boating Day - one big celebration of all things boating and marine. For the duration of SCIBS, attendees will have the chance to immerse themselves in the leisure boating scene – from cool gear and gadgets, to the latest innovation in watercraft. The kids will be thrilled by the spectacle, and you'll walk away with some new items for your wishlist. Sanctuary Cove is home to the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, a luxury hotel that is nestled amidst award-winning golf courses and 4.2ha of tropical gardens, looks out on the Sanctuary Cove Marina, and is famous for its lagoon pool. Other great stays on the Gold Coast include the child-friendly Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, which offers the chance to book an adjoining room for your kids at 50% off, along with free breakfast and a late checkout. For a dependable budget option, Nobby Beach Holiday Village offers reasonably priced two-bedroom villas with enough room for the whole family to spread out, just 500 metres from the beach. The on-site swimming pool with a water slide is sure to keep the kids busy. If you're travelling to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, why not extend your stay and explore what else the Gold Coast has to offer? Arrive early in time to catch Blues on Broadbeach, the Gold Coast's blues music-focused festival, which hits town from 15-18 May. Most of the music is ticketless, so being there doesn't have to cost you a penny. Make your kids' dreams come true with a visit to the Gold Coast's famous theme parks: Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild and Dreamworld. You could also blow their minds with a trip to SkyPoint atop Q1, Australia's tallest building, which offers 360-degree views of the Gold Coast below. And the kids will love the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to capybaras, Tassie devils and even red pandas. See what's on at SCIBS.
