Popping corks, man$ion$, stolen holidays & partying with PM: a big week in Gold Coast business gossip

HOW does the boss of GoldLinQ celebrate a big job? Will Magic Millions steal Show Day? Who’ll buy Steve Ciobo’s old house? Why was the Acting Prime Minister presenting hairdressing trophies? Find out here.

82-84 Savoy Dr was sold in 2014 for $2.15 million.

WE’VE discovered that Phil Mumford, the amiable CEO of light rail group GoldLinQ, has a very specific way of celebrating whenever he launches a major project.

Mr Mumford, who launched the first stage of the Gold Coast light rail in 2015, was previously CEO of Queensland Motorways, overseeing the $2.12 billion Gateway upgrade.

GH Mumm Champagne.

The night before the launch of each project, Mr Mumford ensured his fridge was stocked with an icy cold bottle of GH Mumm champagne — “Mumm for Mumford” you see.

At the crack of dawn, he popped the bottles and celebrated the major projects with the bubbly.

It may be worth watching for Mr Mumford at a dawn this coming January — or perhaps sooner if he has his way — when the second stage of the light rail is launched.

We’ll drink to that.

Goldlinq CEO Phil Mumford. Picture Glenn Hampson

TALK of Magic Millions being granted its own public holiday on the Gold Coast was given fresh oxygen this week after organisers of the Gold Coast Show threatened to pull up stumps and take the holiday with them.

If they made good on their promise, would MM step into the breach and take the holiday instead?

We asked Harvey Norman CEO and Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page — but she wasn’t biting.

“How can you shut down Gold Coast Show Day? It’s not right, it’s impossible,” she said.

“I don’t think it should be Magic Millions Holiday, I think it should be the Gold Coast Show Holiday.

“That’s something that will never come up. I think that all the locals have to work hard to make sure that the Gold Coast Show gets better and better every year, and stays as a public holiday.”

Gerry Harvey and Katie Page in The Dome at Magic Millions this year. Picture: Regina King

LAWYER Adam Merlehan has left the MinterEllison fold after a decade to go his own way.

Mr Merlehan will establish what he claims is the country’s first “full service multidisciplinary business and law practice”.

The new company, which has Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne offices, will offer business strategy advice, implementation, legal and project support.

Former MinterEllison partner Adam Merlehan has started his own business. Photo: Supplied

HAIR/boating/homewares/development guru Steve “Stefan” Ackerie has had a cracker week.

It began with the official launch of his newly-relocated Jo-Jo’s restaurant and his homewares venture The Bach Living on Melbourne St in Brisbane’s West End.

Acting Prime Minister Julie Bishop was on hand to present Stefan’s best hairdressers with their trophies, and other guests included Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart.

The week got better for Stefan when racing yacht Black Jack, emblazoned with his rainbow logo, took the win in Race 4 of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s prestigious Blue Water Pointscore, the Cabbage Tree Island Race.

Black Jack beat Wild Oats XI to the prize.

Stefan Ackerie and his partner Rose King at the new West End Jo-Jo's. Pic Annette Dew

LOCAL businesses donated generously to the Bond University indigenous Gala last week, raising $362,000 for the cause.

The funds will towards indigenous scholarships, providing pathways to higher education along with the right support networks which could be transformative for indigenous students.

Aussie muso Dan Sultan performed at the gala, which has become a signature event on the Bond calendar.

Musician Dan Sultan. Photo by Luke Henery

A LUXURIOUS Broadbeach Waters home, once owned by Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo, has hit the market and is marked as a “must sell”.

82-84 Savoy Drive, Broadbeach Waters.

‘Northcove’, at 82-84 Savoy Dr, is set on a 1507m2 fronting a wide water cove and 20 acres of parkland.

Naturally, it features its own tennis court, pool, dock and private beach.

The seller is Mike Willems, a former champion prestige agent for Ray White Surfers Paradise who is now kicking commercial property goals.

82-84 Savoy Drive, Broadbeach Waters.

Mr Willems purchased the home from Mr Ciobo and wife Astra for $2.15 million in 2014, three years after they’d bought it for $1.62 million.

It goes to auction on December 16.