Sanctuary Cove boat show launches

A bevy of spectacular boats has been assembled on the Gold Coast for the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show which is expected to attract 45,000 visitors.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show GM Johan Hasser.

A bevy of spectacular boats has been assembled on the Gold Coast for this week’s highly anticipated Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

A crowd of more than 45,000 visitors are expected at the Southern Hemisphere’s largest boat show from May 23 to 26 that will feature everything from the humble tinny to superyachts.

Event organiser Johan Hasser, general manager of Mulpha Events, says the show will include more than 330 exhibitors, 700-plus boats and over 2500 marine products.

“We are very excited about the amazing line-up in 2024,” Hasser (illustrated) says. “Once again, our exhibitors and partners have come up with the best of the best across luxury superyachts, to smaller recreational vessels and personal watercrafts to fishing gear.”

Iconic luxury boat builder Rivieria will be among the premium brands showcasing new products with chief executive Rodney Longhurst promising the unveiling of its latest yacht. “Our display this year is a grand showcase of yachts from our award-winning collection - from the magnificent 78 Motor Yacht to selected models from our Sports Motor Yacht, SUV, Sport Yacht and Belize collection,” says Longhurst.

Horizon Yachts Australia will also display two brand new models – the fast-cruising FD90 yacht and the FD80 yacht. The FD80 is the most expensive boat at the show and can operate as either a private yacht or charter vessel.

“Sanctuary Cove represents our largest showcase of Horizon Yachts, boasting the world’s most extensive on-water display of our brand,” says chief operating officer Erica Rae. “There is truly is no other boat show in the world quite like Sanctuary Cove.”

Rodney Longhurst and Johan Hasser at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.

Dancing deal

Queensland Ballet’s plans for a dedicated production centre to house its set and costume assets have now moved to Brisbane, after the company purchased land on Montague Road, 200 meters from the Thomas Dixon Centre.

Queensland Ballet executive director Dilshani Weerasinghe says the decision to purchase the block came hand-in-hand with the decision to sell a parcel of land in Yatala.

“Storage of Queensland Ballet’s production assets has always been a preoccupation and in 2021, we purchased a parcel of land in Yatala enabled by a visionary donation from long-term supporters Roy and Nola Thompson,” says Weerasinghe.

“The aim was to develop the Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre, an all-encompassing solution for all our set and costume needs.”

However when the opportunity to purchase 394 Montague Road, where we have been leasing two units to temporarily house our assets and some of our production team since 2016, it was time for a rethink. “The decision to sell the land at Yatala was not taken lightly and was influenced by the financial realities facing Queensland Ballet, not least the lack of funding parity from the Federal Government.

Queensland Ballet have been advocating for several years for parity for the State in the funding structures led by Creative Australia and the Office of the Arts,” she said.

Queensland Ballet executive director Dilshani Weerasinghe

Noosa news

July’s Noosa Mining Investor Conference is shaping up to be one of the biggest. This year’s event features a line-up including eight companies boasting market caps over $500 million with five surpassing the $1 billion mark. The two-day event will be held at Peppers Noosa Resort from July 17-19. Sponsors include Morgans Financial, KPMG, Computershare, Bizzell Capital Partners, ASX, Ausenco and Piper Alderman.