BOAT GOLD COAST
Editor’s Note
W
e live in an awesome city. There, I’ve said it. Most of you may agree, and some of you may disagree somewhat. But before your mind starts coming up with all the reasons why the Gold Coast is – or is not – awesome, let me ramble on here and say my piece. Many old cities like Vienna in Italy, London in the UK, Rotterdam in The Netherlands, Amphawa in Thailand, St Petersburg in Russia, and Florida in Miami, USA, and other similar cities around the world, have their societies built on the waterways. Their art, culture, tourism, events, literature are influenced by the canal systems – natural or man-made – one way or another. The romantic feeling of being on traditional boats along the rivers, creeks or canals is still an experience that many want to have. The architecture along these waterways, and the sounds and smells that stimulate our senses, as well as the interaction among those in boats and along the banks, are the main attractions of these cities. And I honestly believe that the Gold Coast is the same. We may not have centuries-old buildings or bridges yet, but we do have generations of history that live on our waterways. From the beginning of the changing landscapes of Australia, our land has been blessed with a dynamic environment. Our coasts and beaches are a large part of our national pride, as is our unique flora and fauna. We are attached to our land and our waters in physical, spiritual and emotional ways, just as the First Nations People always have been. Our young Gold Coast society is growing – and growing fast. Our boats are getting bigger and faster. We now have more choices of watercraft, whether they be powered by motor, sail, paddle, rowing, kiting, wake, and they come in different forms and sizes. More and more people are getting involved with our waterways.
Our Crew PUBLISHER
Competitive Brands Pty. Ltd.
DIRECTOR
Andy Kancachian
EDITOR
Roselle Tenefrancia editor@boatgoldcoast.com.au
ADVERTISE
Richard Newman
andy@boatgoldcoast.com.au richard@boatgoldcoast.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS Marcel Priest, Ian Anderson, Paul Burt, Nic Welch,
Jeff Christensen, Doug Burt, Chris Logan, Matty Savas, Narayan Pattison, Paul Anderson, Lowen Taylor, Anthony Tucker, John Curnow, Caroline Strainig, Richard Pyne, Michelle Felton, Dave Mayo, Selena Nelson, Damien Malouf, Fred Meeuwssen, Michael Hare, Mark Wemyss, Kendall Messer, Norman Ambrose, Sophia Sorensen, Kimberley Bernard, Sandy Cuneo, Alfie Pardoe, Marnie Ebeling.
COVER PHOTO Travers Beynon, aka The Candyman, out on his newly rebuilt boat, a Cigarette® Racing Top Gun 38. The coolest man in town.
Gold Coast magazine is FREE to readers. We print 13,000 copies, and hand deliver to 400 participating locations for distribution on the Gold Coast and surrounding suburbs, cities and towns, from Tweed Heads, throughout the Gold Coast to Manly, also around Moreton Bay and Brisbane.
Over the years, the Gold Coast waterways have connected us to our evolving environment and our growing society. In this year’s Marinas 19 Conference held in our city, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) presented our new brand, “Waterways City”. And isn’t it appropriate? We do have 260km of navigable waterways, and more than 750 hectares of lakes and dams, after all. There is a growing number of events held along the waterways too, even all the way up some residential canals. All these also prove that our contemporary lifestyle can coexist with nature – nature that has amazingly adapted to our visions and whims. Just in the first half of this year, I had the privilege of joining many activities that acknowledge and celebrate our waterways. Australia Day fireworks viewed while on the Broadwater was expectedly spectacular. South Stradbroke Island was buzzing over the Easter holidays. The Bleach Festival celebrated our canals with musical performances in waterfront homes. And even in the midst of the noise of boat engines and the singing of the birds on the Broadwater, I was able to find a sense of calm while joining a meditation session on a sail boat at sunset, while staring at The Seaway in its particularly quiet state. Who would have thought that the city that has been branded as superficial by some could actually provide a deeper sense of connection between our built and natural environments? While boating in all its different forms and waterfront lifestyle can be mistaken as snobby affairs, we have that growing opportunity to find the connection within ourselves and our community, to find that “awesomeness” in our city’s emerging art, culture, architecture, and literary scene, to discover more destination prospects, and to always appreciate our ever-changing natural environment. Our waterways will always be part of the foundation of our city. What’s not awesome about that?
Roselle
editor@boatgoldcoast.com.au
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Please address all communication to: Boat Gold Coast, P.O. Box 7441, G.C.M.C 9726 info@boatgoldcoast.com.au (07) 5679 0833 Acknowledgment of Country
Boat Gold Coast acknowledge and pay respects to the traditional Aboriginal people of the Gold Coast and their descendants, and also acknowledge the many Aboriginal people from other regions as well as Torres Strait and South Sea Islander people who now live in the local area and have made an important contribution to the community.
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