Thousands expected to arrive in Coolangatta for annual nostalgia festival Cooly Rocks On 2019 More than 700 cars and bikes worth upwards of $20 million are set to be on display as the city plays host to the annual Cooly Rocks On, drawing in thousands of classic car enthusiasts. Brianna Morris-Grant, Gold Coast Bulletin Subscriber only June 5, 2019 12:00am THOUSANDS are expected to attend the newly “refreshed” and “progressive” Cooly Rocks On as it kicks off this morning. This year marks the first year organised under new Connecting Southern Gold Coast CEO Josh Martin, who stepped into the role in early February. Co-owner of Swing On In Dance School and host of the festival’s Swing Ball Chrissy Keepence said she had seen a “new life” in the five-day event.
Many are flying in for the festival. Photograph: Jason O'Brien “Everyone’s got a really good vibe about it, about the music line up, the new people running it and the amount of cars that have come back,” she said.
“I love the fact that the new (organisers) have really done their homework, they’ve brought on consultants that have been in the festival for more than 20 years, they’re listening.” The festival last year attracted more than 110,000 people, generating over $6 million for the region. Organisers hope 2019’s festival will be even bigger. More than 700 cars and bikes worth upwards of $20 million are set to be displayed, including for the first time iconic brand Indian Motorcycles.
The inaugural Swing Ball is a highlight of this year’s program. Photograph: Jason O'Brien Local Councillor Gail O’Neill said she had “full confidence” in the new organising team. “We want to pack as much into those five days as possible and we want people to stay longer and holiday here as well,” she said. “This festival has always made a huge economic impact on Coolangatta and its surrounding areas. It’s in the millions. “When you take into consideration accommodation, food and people staying on longer, for a five day festival people are staying an average of 4.9 nights.”
NORTH WEST STAR JUNE 4 2019 - 11:30AM
Mount Isa Airport supports community groups with grants From local theatre groups to sporting club and community gardens, Mount Isa Airport is offering community groups a chance to secure much-needed funding with the latest round of its Community Benefit Fund open for applications. The airport's Community Benefit Fund has already helped several local community groups since its inception four years ago, and is now open for applications for 2019, with cash grants of up to $1000 on offer. The program is awarding cash grants to support initiatives in the categories of health and wellbeing, community safety, education, environment and sustainability, arts and culture for the fourth consecutive year. This year, the airport is also calling for initiatives aimed at supporting local indigenous communities or enhancing indigenous cultural awareness. Mount Isa Airport Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gill said the organisation was committed to doing what it could to support the Central Western Queensland region and the Community Benefit Fund was key to achieving this. "This fund is ideal for schools, sporting clubs, charities, community support services and surf clubs. We are hopeful of supporting as many initiatives as possible," he said. "I'd encourage anyone involved in a community group or not-for-profit organisation in need of a helping hand, to access our website and apply for funding. We know people are busy, so we have streamlined the application process to make sure it shouldn't take more than an hour to complete." Mount Isa Theatrical Society, which first began as a small group of people performing on Friday nights in the 1950s before evolving into a professional body dedicated to creating quality live theatre, was a recipient of last year's round of funding. "The Mount Isa Theatrical Society was extremely grateful to benefit from the 2018 Airport Community Benefit Fund," said Mount Isa Theatrical Society spokesperson Jenelle Robartson. "The money was used to purchase an i-Pad and accessories to run our sound effect programs. This device has allowed us to use specially-created sound cueing applications specific to Apple devices, offering the group the opportunity to expand our ability to offer a quality soundscape performance. "As a non-profit arts enterprise, we are extremely appreciative of the ability to use state-of-the-art technology to enhance our production quality and bring bigger and better shows to the Outback."
Other community groups that have received a grant from Mount Isa Airport's Community Benefit Fund in the past include Island BMX Club Mount Isa, Mount Isa Community Ensembles and Injilinji Pre-School Community Garden. To receive a $1,000 grant, groups need to demonstrate their ability to deliver positive outcomes in at least one of the nominated funding categories. Applications for this year's Community Benefit Fund, which are open until 23 June 2019, can be made online and take less than an hour. For more information and to apply, visit www.mountisaairport.com.au/community/community-benefit-fund
Qantas tie up with American Airlines ‘to deliver on fares’ • • •
THE AUSTRALIAN 12:00AM JUNE 5, 2019 NO COMMENTS Qantas has promised cheaper fares and more options on trans-Pacific flights as a result of a long-awaited joint business venture with American Airlines. The US Department of Transportation yesterday gave tentative approval for antitrust immunity between the two carriers, after previously rejecting their application in 2016 due to concerns about a lessening of competition in the market. Antitrust immunity is considered similar to a merger but without the legal framework and has been criticised by the US Department of Justice as leading to higher fares on specific routes. A new application lodged last year warned the airlines would be forced to cancel services such as Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth if it was not approved. Qantas claimed the deal would offer better access to each carrier’s seats, leading to lower fares because they could co-ordinate prices — something not allowed under current arrangements. Their 2018 application also argued the partnership would stimulate competition in the market by forcing other carriers to respond with improvements in quality, schedules and pricing. Five carriers operate non-stop flights between the US and Australia — Qantas, American, Virgin Australia, Delta and United Airlines. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce insisted the agreement with American would bring significant benefits to millions of travellers. He flagged two new routes this year as a result of the deal — Brisbane-Chicago and Brisbane-San Francisco. “For more than 30 years, Qantas and American have connected the US and Australia as partners,” Mr Joyce said. “This joint business means we’ll be able to deepen this partnership to offer new routes, better flight connections and more frequent flyer benefits.” Additional services to American Airlines’ hub of Dallas Fort Worth were also on the cards, which was welcomed by DFW Airport chief executive Sean Donohue.
“DFW Airport has expanded its focus on international destinations over the past decade, and this joint business agreement aligns squarely with that,” said Mr Donohue, who is in Sydney as part of a trade mission with the mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth. “There is widespread support from airport officials, tourism leaders, business associations and corporations in north Texas and throughout Australia.” American Airlines chairman and CEO Doug Parker said the joint business would create additional jobs at both carriers and in the industries they serve. A final decision by the Department of Transportation is expected in the next few weeks.