COAST PROVES ITSELF YET AGAIN

WHEN it comes to hosting major events, the Gold Coast always delivers. The weekend’s annual Magic Millions race day went off without a hitch. On top of the high-spending sales of the past week, it’s been a carnival to remember despite the smaller crowds resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s something the Gold Coast can be proud of, particularly as it occurred against the background of the troubled preparations for next month’s Australian Open.

The nation’s premier tennis tournament has been dogged by COVID outbreaks on flights into the country, forcing competitors deemed close contacts to be forced into hard lockdowns and unable to practice.

While very different situations, the past six months have shown repeatedly that the Gold Coast is a safe place to hold successful COVID-safe events.

It was the Gold Coast, among other locations, which allowed the AFL season to continue, while also hosting the Queensland State of Origin camp.

Boxer Tim Tszyu also undertook his title preparations locally.

With major plays such as Mayor Tom Tate already quietly negotiating big gigs to be held on the Coast later this year, the city is in line to continue benefiting from locals doing the right thing and the stringent preventive measures which have served us so well.

COVID-19 has disrupted careers, put dreams on hold and made day-today life more difficult but the Coast continues to put its best foot forward.