The major Gold Coast events about to resume

The time has finally arrived for gents to dust off their suits and ladies to slip on those ‘yet to be seen on the social scene’ frocks, with a number of major events returning after being put on hold due to COVID-19.  HERE'S WHAT'S BACK ON >>>

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The time has finally arrived for gents to dust off their suits and ladies to slip on those ‘yet to be seen on the social scene’ frocks.   

The Squirrel Files can reveal that some the Gold Coast’s most prestigious social events are back after COVID-19 put them in the dark closet and freezer last year.

The Balls are back baby!   The ‘Everything is Possible’ Gala Dinner which raises funds for the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation is set to kick off the 2021 fancy soirees in May.   The rebadged Bruce Lynton Gala Ball, now The Gold Coast Fundraising Ball is locked in for June and meticulously planning is underway for the Gold Coast Mayoress Charity Foundation Winter Ball.  A date is expected to be released in coming days.  

 

With the corporate and social scene in a coma for almost a year, Gold Coast notables are ready to hit the red carpet in their new frocks and suits.   Just a word of warning, since COVID-19 halted the annual rollout of gala events in 2020, since 2019 there have been many developments in the status of married couples and relationship.   This year you will be seeing a sprinkling of our city’s corporate and social notables walking down the red carpet with different partners.    Bring back the social scandals we have so dearly missed.   Stay tuned!

 

Kimberley Busteed, Darren Lehmann. Pic: Andrew Meadowcroft

 

Speaking of the events scene heating up, Ray White Surfers Paradise is hosting their annual Business meets Sports Lunch on Friday 12th March.   We heard that tables are selling extremely well and the event is expected to sell out.   

A gaggle of social, sporting and corporate types will mix and mingle at The Star Gold Coast for the lunch which will raise funds for Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club.   Special guests for this year’s lunch include cricket great Darren Lehmann and the current coach of the Brisbane Heat, Karl Morris. 

Throw in some comedy relief by Steve Allison, a delicious lunch and plenty of chilled beverages and the lunch is certain to be a very long one.    Tickets are available at www.rwspevents.com.au

 

THE GREAT CASH CONCEAL

Did we hear a whisper that a few restaurateurs have already been contacted by authorities to justify the COVID-19 cash incentives they have been claiming?  Some businesses that were trading seven days a week pre COVID-19 are now only trading five days a week to meet the 30% reduction in revenue to claim cash support from the Government.   Some miffed employees have also been reaching out to contacts to tell their story about the strict control their hospitality bosses are implementing around the hours they can work or report. 

 

Add to that a host of restaurant owners are offering substantial discounts to regular customers if they pay cash to keep them under the revenue threshold so they can claim Government support.  With most restaurants and cafes bursting at the seams and customers having to pre-book or be on a waitlist, hiding record-making revenue will be very difficult to conceal.  Watch this space!

COAST INDUSTRY FACING CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF WORKERS

Restaurants, bars and hotels all over the Gold Coast have been complaining loudly about the shortage of hospitality staff. But there is another industry where the problem is just as bad.

 Another shortage of skilled workers was revealed this week to The Squirrel Files.   With Jobseeker in the firing line, aside from venues trying to poach food and beverage staff, it is the spa and beauty industry that is also suffering a massive shortage of qualified and skilled workers ... that are willing to work!  

One hotel insider revealed that they are sick of calling qualified beauty therapists and being told that because they are on Government support, they are not interested in working … aka "l am sunbaking".   Some are so brazen to say, “Call me after 31st March and l will be available.”   

With the looming axe of Jobseeker creeping up very quickly, some operators have already created a blacklist of staff never to be called or hired again.    Once bitten, twice shy.  Chop, chop …. next!

STILL TIME FOR CHRISTMAS HIGH JINKS

Valentine’s Day might be tomorrow, but Christmas parties for hospitality venues are only just wrapping up now.

Once late January hits, hospo owners and their staff finally get to take a break from the craziness of the festive and holiday season.   From the Australia Day holiday onwards, it’s time for the food, beverage, service and hotel industries to throw their festive shindigs outside of peak season.  

A popular choice each year is soirees hosted on the water in private or hired floating vessels.

 

This week the crew from popular restaurants Social Eating House & Orzo hosted their staff Christmas party on a private boat cruising the Broadwater with their ever-growing team.    Ridgeway Group also recently hosted their Christmas celebrations on the water with all their catering and staff, as did the Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub with a host of hotties on the YOT Club.   

 

The secret seems to be a quick 3 to 4-hour party on the water and then the bubbly hospo workers are up to their own devices with a host of after-parties all over the city.  

Some hit private homes, others hit local restaurants and the real party animals (most of the crew) hit Broadbeach and Surfers nightclubs and hotspots, who were happy to accept very merry packs of friends wearing their boating attire. 

Did we hear that there were several staff hook-ups at one hospo party alone?  Well, it wouldn’t be a Christmas party without a few hook-ups!

 

'THE MOST EXCLUSIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR'

 

Speaking of being out on the water, the SO GC ‘Re-Do’ Party is being hosted on YOT Club towards the end of the month.  

Due to COVID-19 restrictions last year, the Hit 90.9 listener party was cancelled, so there is much anticipation about this year’s event.  Organisers are being tight lipped about what is in stall for prize winners and VIP invited guests, however we can confirm the DJ Mollie Rose will be the headline performer. 

Dubbed the ‘most exclusive event of the year’, there are plenty of chances to party on board with Hit 90.9’s Bianca Dan and Ben who know to kick up their heels…or thongs.  Golden Goose cocktails are being served as guests hop on board to ensure the mood it set early for a huge shindig.  Bottoms up!

 

 

 

 

CORPORATE CONFIDENTIAL

Did we hear that a self-proclaimed ‘notable’ has been hitting the phones to very senior business owners or General Managers of venues demanding freebies by flouting access to some Instagram types boasting large followings … and assets?   

The fact is that most business types have no knowledge of this person.   Hanging out with a select ‘Instagram crowd’ does not equate to business owners and leaders having any idea who you are, due to many corporate honchos not even having private social media accounts.   

The wannabe in question was simply directed down the food chain to the ‘lowly’ staff that the person refused to speak with in the beginning.  A quick-fire way to be cut off from any chance of scoring freebies.

Some ‘Insta famous’ peeps with impressive followings have already drawn their eyeliner swords ready to attack due to the constant dropping of their names to try to secure freebies … which are not for them.  Oh dear.

SIMPLE ACT EARNS GOLD COAST MAN $10,000

Cameron Spalding from Maudsland is certainly going to be watching Channel 7’s new extreme mini golf competition, Holey Moley, after winning $10,000 in cash for a getting a hole in one!

Local radio station 102.9 Hot Tomato teamed up with Holey Moley for the competition to celebrate the airing of the new show.

“My son actually called up the radio station to become one of the contestants to play in the competition, but as he is only 11, he was too young to enter so he passed the phone to me. That is how I become one of the six contestants,” said Mr Spalding.

In pictures: Holey Moley Hole in One competition

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Thanks to his son Jackson, who is also an avid golf fan, he is now $10,000 richer as he was the first contestant in a round to putt a hole in one at the mini golf competition held at Holey Moley Surfers Paradise.

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“To celebrate I went home and opened a nice bottle of rum l had been saving for a special occasion,” he said.

Asked how he will spend the money, Mr Spalding said he plans to be sensible and thrifty.

“We will probably pay off some bills, save some money and definitely give my son some very decent pocket money,” said Mr Spalding.