Jetgo's first flight from Sydney has landed

The first Jetgo direct from Sydney to Gladstone passenger flight arrives in Gladstone.

1st Dec 2014

THE first Jetgo flight from Sydney landed at Gladstone Airport just after 7am today with about 10 passengers on board.

The inaugural flight marks the start of regular flights between Gladstone and Sydney, filling a gap left after Qantaslink cancelled their route between the cities.

The airport's firefighters were on hand to do a water cannon salute for the arrival of the first flight.

The take-off from Sydney was smooth, according to Jetgo ground services supervisor Phil Burke, who was on board the first flight.

He said now that people could see Jetgo was operating, he expected bookings would be on the increase.

Jetgo is confident the route will be well supported by Gladstone residents.

The company is providing a direct jet service that will be twice as fast and a lot quieter than turbo prop jets currently flying out of Gladstone.

Flight times have been scheduled so passengers can easily do day trips between the two cities.

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/jetgos-first-flight-sydney-lands-today/2469974/

Tripadvisor guest review - Apartments G60 Gladstone - Aug 2014

Apartments G60 Gladstone

“Great Appartments in the City”

Reviewed 24 August 2014 by simon S

These are good new apartments in the centre of Gladstone with 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms. I have stayed here a couple of times and the staff are always friendly and the rooms are always clean. Great value for money especially if there are two people travelling.

Room Tip: I like the rooms overlooking the street

• Stayed August 2014, travelled on business
• Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255336-d5557280-r223973232-Apartments_G60_Gladstone-Gladstone_Queensland.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

New Gladstone Shopping Centre Open for Business

IN BUSINESS: Developer Geoff Bonney, long-time resident Betty Mergard, and Foodworks owners Peter Kinder and Michelle Irvine cut the ribbon.

BETTY Mergard officially opened the new Agnes Water Central shopping centre on Saturday.

Twelve hundred square metres has been developed to create a much-needed full line supermarket for the town.

And while grocery shopping enters a new era in Agnes Water, it's the interactive floor that has everyone celebrating.

Developer Geoff Bonney said the structure would be highly beneficial to the community.

"We had a basic design but we sat down with the architect and tailored it to what the locals need," he said.

"There was only a convenience store previously but this new development has really opened up opportunities.

"The bigger centre means it will increase employment rates too."

The facilities the centre features are state-of-the-art, with only four like it in Australia.

A revolutionary refrigeration and air conditioning unit behind the scenes and 5m interactive floor is what has locals so excited.

Iconic local Betty Mergard said she'd seen nothing like it in her 75 years.

"It's got the wow factor," she said. "The moving flooring and post office layout is just amazing."

The Mergard family's long term tourist industry input made her the perfect candidate to cut the official ribbon.

"I was really representing the community and their future enjoyment of the facility," she said.

Betty's daughter Desley O'Grady said it was fantastic for the area, "especially for holiday makers who will have more of a range for shopping".

"We've been coming here for over 70 years, and it's a big moment for us," she said.

Backpacker Tamara Volk said the food looked pretty good.

"It's not too expensive so it's great for us," she said. "The interactive floor will be good for the kids."

While Mark Mergard said it would "help the growth of the area".

Joel O'Grady said it was nice and neat and not cluttered.

"The interactive floor is fantastic."

Currently Foodworks and the post office are operational.

Session to help Gladstone city get ready for cruises

GET the party started when Carnival Australia comes to town with an information session on the future of cruise liners in Gladstone.

Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd and Carnival Australia will present on the P&O Cruise Liners as part of a business leaders' luncheon.

P&O Cruises announced in August that Gladstone would be a port of call for up to 10,000 passengers a year from 2016, with ships to dock at Auckland Point.



The luncheon is presented by GAPDL in partnership with Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Ports Corporation.

GAPDL chief executive Glenn Churchill will give an insight on destination tourism development and regional development priority projects, while product manager Sarah Budd and director Michael Mihajlov will talk for Carnival Australia.

The luncheon will be followed by an information session with a question and answer session, giving people an opportunity to expand further on individual and business opportunities/ learnings, and any other creative discussion points to ensure we are "Region Ready".

The luncheon will be held at the Oaks Grand Gladstone on Tuesday, October 21, from 11.30am-2pm.

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/liners-on-the-horizon/2413873/

Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone - New Factsheet

Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone PDF Factsheet

To book, visit Metro Hotel & Apartments Gladstone

Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre (GECC) | Gladstone Attractions

The  Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre has recently been redeveloped with an expansion of the adjoining multi-level car park to include an additional three levels of car parking and two levels of commercial office space.

This multi-million dollar redevelopment will establish the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre as one of regional Queensland’s premier entertainment venues, attracting new entertainment, conferences and events never before seen in the region.

Expansion has seen the addition of a new multi-use convention and event floor space that will increase the venue’s capacity to 1,500 standing and allow it to host larger and higher-profile events and concerts.

The new Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre delivers on its designers attention to detail to provide the city with a venue that will perform well into the future.

Find out More about Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre

What's on in Gladstone this weekend

LOOKING for something to do in the Gladstone region this weekend? 
Here's a rundown of some of the events and activities on offer.

FRIDAY

Spring Morning Tea

A SPRING Morning Tea will be hosted by the St Andrew's Presbyterian Women's Association at 10am.

The morning will include a fashion parade by Limestone Clothing, prizes for the best spring outfit and best spring hat, and entertainment by the Gladstone Musical Society.

It's on at 2 Bloomfield St, Calliope. Phone 4975 6619 for more details.

Sydney Comedy Festival showcase

THE Sydney Comedy Festival has hit the road with an awesome line-up of international and local acts from the festival.

The festival's funniest have been squeezed into one hilarious night of world-class comed at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre.

The show, which starts at 7.30pm, is recommended for audiences 15 years and over.

Tickets cost $30 and are available here.

Country singer at RGs

COUNTRY singer Nicky Convine will play at RGs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

The Casino-born songwriter has won or been a finalist in numerous competitions, and in 2005 was one of the final 40 to audition for Australian Idol.

Her music has been played on Triple J's Unearthed and she recently finished recording her debut album, Parade.

The shows kick off at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and 3pm on Sunday.

Movie session for parents and kids

MUMS, dads and bubs are invited to come along to the Gladstone cinemas to attend a child-friendly event at 9.30am.

Ticket are $8 or $20 for Gold room.

The lights will be left on and dimmed and the sound is lowered  Visit the website for more information.

SATURDAY

Gladstone Community Hub markets

GLADSTONE Community Hub will host markets and an open day at 5 Butler St, Gladstone.

There will be lucky door prizes, sample bags, sausage sizzle, face painting, Old Macdonald's Farm, live and free entertainment, and art exhibition.

The event will run from 10am to 1pm. Phone 4979 4821 for more details.

The Lego Movie screening

HILLCLOSE estate in Gladstone will host an outdoor screening of The Lego Movie.

Live music will begin at 4.45pm, with the movie screening at 6.15pm.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase. Bean bags are available for hire, and there are Lego prizes to be won.

The event will be held in Harmony Park, Sundowner Rd, Clinton. Phone 1300 650 614 for more details or click here.

Industries of Gladstone cricket match

THE annual 20/20 cricket competition where industry vs industry is on this weekend.

Game one will begin at 11am on Saturday, with the final game at 2.30pm on Sunday, when the Harbour City All Stars will take on the Queensland Bulls Masters.

Entry is free. There will be entertainment for the kids, and canteen and bar facilities will be available each day. 

The action takes place at the Boyne Island Tannum Sands Oval, Jacaranda Drive, Boyne Island.

BITS Classic Pool Competition

THE 2014 BITS Classic Pool Competition will be held at the BITS Club, Jacaranda Dr, Boyne Island from 9.30am to 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Prize money of $5000 is up for grabs, with up to 64 players able to register.

The top 32 players will go through to the big money round, and the bottom 32 will go through to the repo-charge.

A Calcutta will be held on Saturday from 9.30am, so get there early to buy up the big gun players.

Spectators are welcome to watch the competition over the two days. Entry is free.

Phone Tom Johnson on 0448 803 818 for more details.

Biloela Markets

HELD on the third Saturday of each month, Biloela Markets in the Park offer a wide variety of stalls for everyone to enjoy.

Those attending can enjoy fresh produce, try their green thumb with huge variety of plants, and find a special piece of jewellery, clothing, accessories and hand crafted goodies.

The markets are held in Barimis Park in Callide St, Biloela, and run from 9.30am to 2pm.

Phone 0400 162 219 for more details.

International Day of Peace

GLADSTONE Region Interfaith Network will host an International Day of Peace prayer event from 3-4pm at Anzac Park in Tank St.

The International Day of Peace, also known as Peace Day, provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. 

All attendees are encouraged to take a plate of food and a chair to the event, which will finish with an informal group discussion.

Phone 4976 6352.

Cent sale at bowls club

THE St John Ambulance will host a cent sale on at the Gladstone Bowls Club from 11am with a 1pm start.

There are 400 prizes to be won and a homemade cake walk. For bookings phone Cheryl on 0418 792 244 or Sue on 4975 6473.

Miriam Vale Markets in the Park

THE Miriam Vale Lions Club hosts the Miriam Vale Markets on the third Saturday of each month at Blomfield St, Miriam Vale.

Stroll through the delightful cool and shady park to view a variety of stalls, or try a sizzling fillet steak, sausage or bacon burger.

The markets run from 7am to noon.

Friends of Bindaree Markets

THE Friends of Bindaree Garage Sale is a popular market event at Boyne Island run monthly by Bindaree Lodge Aged Care Facility.

You can find lots of bargains on second hand clothing, manchester, books, footwear, toys, furniture and much more.

The markets run from 7am to noon at 1 Beacon Ave, Boyne Island.

Spend a morning with acoustic tunes

JHAM Bar Gladstone will host Acoustic JHAMS, a morning of music by local artists each Saturday from 9am-noon.

Sit and have a coffee and watch the world go by while enjoying music by Animal Throwdown, White Room and Rob (Country) Hopkins at JHAM Bar, 117 Toolooa St, Gladstone.

Get fit with Parkrun

STOCKLAND Gladstone and Parkrun Australia faciliate a unique, community run program that provides free weekly timed 5km running events for people of all ages and abilities every Saturday morning from 7am - 8am at Lions Park.

Register online here before your first run.

SUNDAY

Rotary Kmart Markets

THE Rotary Club of Gladstone Midday Markets are held on the third Saturday of each month in the Kmart car park on Phillip St, Gladstone.

There is a wide range of goods on offer including food, coffee, cakes, jewellery, hand-made soaps, plants, toys, clothes and bric-a-brac.

There also is entertainment from local artists. The markets run from 6am to 1.30pm.

Chill out at Sunday session

LIGHTBOX Espresso and Wine Bar is the hottest place to be in Gladstone at the moment and Sunday is where you can try it out.

Take your friends along to the bar in Goondoon St, next to the Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre, for a cocktail this weekend.

The Sunday sessions are a chilled way of wrapping up a weekend while listening to some live acoustic music.

You can order some tapas and sit at one of the booths from 2pm onwards for a relaxed afternoon.

Sunday Coffee Cruise

TAKE a cruise around the Gladstone harbour and surrounding island every Sunday and Wednesday on a a Curtis Ferry Services Coffee Cruise.

Enjoy a two-hour cruise with morning tea and commentary on the Gladstone region, while keeping an eye out for turtles, dolphins and dugongs.

Cruises are held 11am-1pm. Bookings are essential and can be made through the Gladstone Visitor Information Centre.

Passengers must collect their ticket from the Information Centre at 72 Bryan Jordan Drive) before departure, and ensure they arrive at Curtis Ferry Services Terminal by 10.45am.

If the Information Centre is closed, tickets and payments can be made from the departure point.

The Sunday Coffee Cruise will run until September 28.

Tickets cost $24 adults, $22 concession and $16 children aged 7-16. Phone 4972 9000 for more details.

Sunday session at Yachties

GLADSTONE Yacht Club will have a Sunday session in Yachties Beer Garden with live music by Tim Anderson from 2.30pm.

There will be great drink specials and a great atmosphere to wind-down your weekend.

The Sunday session runs until 6.30pm.

PUBS AND CLUBS

FRIDAY

• Yaralla Sports Club, bingo, 10am and 1pm
• Queens Hotel, dance until late with Karina and Mak
• Gladstone Bowls, bingo, 10am
• Wolves Soccer Club, bingo, 7.30pm
• Reef Hotel, 888 PL Poker registration, 6.30pm for 7.30pm start
• Diggers Arms Hotel, karaoke, 8pm
• Rocky Glen Hotel, Nicky Convine, 8pm
• Agnes Tavern, See You Next Tuesday, 8pm

SATURDAY

• Yaralla Sports Club, free poker, 7pm
• Queens Hotel, dance until late with Karina and Mak
• Club Hotel, 888 PL Poker, registration from 1pm for 2pm start
• Rocky Glen Hotel, Nicky Convine, 8pm
• Tannum Sands Hotel, Relics, 8.15pm
• Agnes Tavern, Uncle Arthur

SUNDAY

• Young Aus Hotel, raffles, 11.30am
• JD's Karaoke, 8pm
• Queens Hotel, 888 PL Poker, registration 1pm for 2pm start
• Yaralla, bingo, 1pm
• Railway Hotel, Sunday session, 2pm
• Gladstone Bowls, Wolves Soccer Club bingo, 7.30pm
• Rocky Glen Hotel, Nicky Convine, 3pm
• Tannum Sands Hotel, Ben Beasley, 1pm
• The Reef, Adrian Brown, 4pm
• Agnes Tavern, Steve Jay, 2pm

Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/whats-gladstone-weekend-sept19-21/2389943/