Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC) has partnered with Clean Vibes to help reduce waste at the city’s major music and entertainment festivals and minimise the impact on the environment.
The partnership will see Clean Vibes become the Official Cleaning and Waste Management Services Provider for all four of MEGC’s festivals in 2023 – Blues on Broadbeach, Cooly Rocks On, SPRINGTIME and Groundwater Country Music Festival.
MEGC CEO Jan McCormick said partnering with Clean Vibes was a smart way to manage waste and the environmental footprint of MEGC’s portfolio of award-winning festivals.
“As our festivals grow in popularity, we’re seeing attendance increase and with that comes additional waste challenges,” said Ms McCormick. “We want to make sure we continue to give our fans the best possible festival experience and that means ensuring we are following best practice when it comes to sustainable waste management. We also want to make sure our festivals don’t impact negatively on the beautiful locations we deliver them in.”
Clean Vibes National Operations Manager Nick Viner said Clean Vibes was proud to partner with Major Events Gold Coast to bring sustainable waste management and cleaning services to the Gold Coast community.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the MEGC team to maximise recycling and promote sustainable initiatives across its portfolio of festivals on the Gold Coast,” said Mr Viner.
Some of the initiatives that have been introduced at MEGC’s festivals are waste sorting onsite and implementing the can and bottle return scheme. Vendors are also asked to put in place sustainable practices to reduce overall waste and maximise recycling.
“Clean Vibes works closely with MEGC and all stakeholders to make sure we are being as sustainable as possible,” said Mr Viner. “We work with all festival vendors to ensure they are using approved recyclable or compostable serviceware products onsite and the Clean Vibes team sort through all waste into their appropriate waste streams. At MEGC’s festivals we also use waste stream bin covers to promote and educate festival patrons about waste separation which has already led to great outcomes on general waste being diverted from landfill.”
“MEGC is committed to continuing to find ways to reduce the amount of waste from our festivals that ends up in landfill,” said Ms McCormick. “We are proud to work with Clean Vibes to embrace new recycling and other sustainable initiatives, and encourage our festivals fans to do their part to reduce the impact on our environment as well.”
Now the third highest performing luxury investment category, with a 190% return*, the classic car market is experiencing a boom as alternative investments – along with coins and whisky – are on the rise.
Shannons Auctions holds four major auctions a year, with over 650 vehicles on offer and has seen a 15% jump in volume from last year.
National auctions & external relations manager, Christophe Boribon, says collector vehicles have soared in value because they’re considered by many as a tangible asset.
“They are something you can actually use, be enjoyed with family and friends and open you up to a community of like-minded vehicle enthusiasts. You can’t do that with shares,” said Mr Boribon.
“There’s also been a new wave of interest in the classics,” he added.
“Recently a cherry red 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Carrera S Coupe sold for $303,000. Built-in limited numbers with worldwide production reaching just 3,714 units, it is one of the rarer 993 models.”
“These cars have become hugely collectible in recent years growing in value by more than 7.5% each year since being launched in 1994.”
“We have seen a number of Australians redirecting the cash they might have spent on overseas trips into the cars market.”
Mark Duckworth, the director of festivals and events at Major Events Gold Coast, which is behind one of the largest classic car gatherings in the country, Cooly Rocks On, agreed.
“Classic cars really maintain their value, or even rise in value over time. In 1969 you could buy a brand-new Dodge Charger Daytona for less than $5,000. This exact car is now worth close to $100,000,” says Mr Duckworth.
“These vehicles quickly become even more valuable if there were only a limited number of that particular model car made, or if the company has shut down,” he adds.
“It’s also often about the memory and attachment to a certain timepiece and era. It could be a motor vehicle or a comic book – people like to capture a memory and hang onto it.”
Shannons Insurance arm is also seeing the strong appetite for classic cars remain steady, particularly some of the Aussie and American muscle varieties.
Business Development Manager Phil Ross says demand for insurance is flat out as people see cars as a safer and more enjoyable market to be involved in.
“There are plenty of car enthusiasts who see vehicles as a better investment than shares. You can’t drive your Woolies shares to Cooly Rocks On in June but you can drive your Hot Rod or Muscle car,” said Mr Ross.
Shannons Hub Cooly Rocks On 2022Shannons Hub Cooly Rocks On 2022
Mr Boribon from Shannons Auctions, says there was the potential for classic car values to slide during the onset of Covid-19, but the opposite actually happened.
“Many experts view part of the collector market as a solid investment, the vehicles that were produced in smaller numbers, special coachwork, or high powered whether from the 1950s or on more modern classics from 2000s, many have seen great growth in recent years.”
“We’re seeing new and different types of buyers – there are the people who don’t have the time to do restorations and want something that’s restored and functional, there are the buyers with emotional attachment to a certain vehicle – but there are also people who love to tinker with their vehicles, adding value, in their garage.”
In the last two years Mr Duckworth said they have seen a big increase in the number of people attracted to classic cars with record numbers attending Cooly Rocks On, Australia’s largest nostalgia festival, held on the Gold Coast each June.
“Our fan base has really grown, there were record crowds last year,” he added.
“Australians have a wonderful connection to the music, and culture of yesteryear. Holden cars, rock’n’roll and trips to the beach remain some of the fondest memories of decades gone by.”
The event attracts nearly 1000 participating classic, hot rod and muscle cars. While the Show ‘N’ Shine display, spanning nearly two kilometres, attracts car enthusiasts from across the country and from overseas.
“It’s amazing to see so many beautiful cars in one space, the attention to detail and the story from the owners makes it so special. From Go Go Mobiles to Mustangs and everything in-between it’s one of the country’s biggest showcases of classic cars.”
“The feeling you get from driving a car can take you back to a certain time in your life. It talks to so many different people about a time of innocence – family holidays during the 1960s, reminding us of simpler times.”
Some of the highest-earning classic cars include:
Flash and fun: Built in limited numbers with worldwide production reaching just 3,714 units making the cherry red 1997 Porsche 911 (993) Carrera S Coupe one of the rarest 993 models. Sold late last year for $303,000.
Classic Australian models: Even the traditional Holden Kingswood can fetch about $50,000, a Ford Cortina $70,000 and a Ford Escort around $30,000.
Vintage four-wheel drives: These cars still pack a punch with something like a simple 1971 Toyota Landcruiser FJ40 worth almost $120,000. The FJ40 was Toyota’s best-selling model in the US between 1961 and 1965 and it solidified the brand’s reputation for building strong, reliable vehicles.
It’s a partnership that resonates with our 50s, 60s and 70s nostalgia festival, as Coolangatta has had a long association with Surf Lifesaving Queensland.
For instance, did you know that Coolangatta is essentially the birthplace of SLSQ with the first recorded rescue in Queensland being at Coolangatta in 1909 and the first Queensland surf lifesaving club known as Tweed Heads & Coolangatta, being established just a few years later 1911?
After patrolling and protecting the Coolangatta beach for over 100 years and with our festival bookended by both the Coolangatta and Greenmount Surf Lifesaving Clubs, it seemed only fitting that we would support SLSQ as our nominated charity for the 2021 Cooly Rocks On
CEO David Wimpey said:
“Surf Life Saving Queensland is proud to be Cooly Rocks On’s charity partner in 2021. From Friday June 11 – Sunday June 13, SLSQ will have a merchandise stall, selling their limited-edition Hawaiian shirt. All proceeds from the event go back to SLSQ whose members keep thousands of lives safe on Gold Coast beaches every year. Keep an eye out for the iconic red and yellow uniform, as volunteers will also be collecting donations for our clubs.”
Aside from supporting an incredibly important Queensland organisation, this partnership gives Major Events Gold Coast and Cooly Rocks On, the chance to give back to the local community, provide a new platform to profile Surf Lifesaving Queensland and a significant event for SLSQ to engage with attendees and fundraise.
Also joining our Cooly Rocks On family of partners is The Strand at Coolangatta. Located directly across the beach and alongside the Shannons Show ‘N’ Shine, The Strand has a dynamic mix of fashion, surfwear, supermarkets, gifts and homewares, so you’re sure to find something special to take home after your visit to Cooly.
Anyone attending the festival can swing into The Strand and head up to the first floor where they can watch or take part in The Strand Dance Workshops. Attendees can learn rock’n’roll, swing, rockabilly, balboa and more.
