A big success

AACTAs in frame for a lengthy stay in our city as Gold Coast shines with hosting duties

From sports to entertainment, the Gold Coast does events well. The red carpet was rolled out on Saturday for the annual AACTA Awards at HOTA where, despite the wet Saturday afternoon weather, the city put on a stellar show.

Some of the nation’s, and indeed world’s, top acting talent was on show, from Simon Baker to Cate Blanchett.

But of course, the belle of the proverbial ball and all around central act was homegrown superstar Margot Robbie.

From the streets of Southport to Ramsay St during the early years of her career to the string of successes in the US in the past decade, Robbie has exceeded all expectations and is now up for yet another Oscar, though this time as a producer for Barbie rather than for her work in front of the camera.

Robbie, now wielding serious clout in the US and Hollywood, wants to repay the favour to both Australia and the Gold Coast particularly by making a movie here. Speaking at AACTA on Saturday, she affirmed her love of her home city and desire to make a movie here.

“Absolutely! You know what, there’s huge water tanks at Warner Bros Studios at Movie World,” she said.

“Trust me I keep trying, it’s going to happen.”

If this comes to pass, it surely would be both a great coup for the city and the hundreds of people who would be employed in the product, but a fantastic example of paying back the support Robbie was given in her formative years.

Also a great coup would be the prospect of hosting the AACTA Awards long-term.

The bosses behind the Australian film and TV awards’ equivalent of Hollywood’s glitzy Oscars are keen to explore keeping it on the Gold Coast after the existing three-year deal ends in 2026.

Both event bosses and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said at the weekend they want to explore basing it here much longer.

It would be beneficial for all involved to strike this deal soon to both provide certainty to the community and to help cement the Gold Coast as the Hollywood of Australia and indeed of the South Pacific.

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