The largest event of its kind in Australia, The Aussies brings together thousands of Surf Life Saving competitors representing their Surf Club for the chance to be deemed Australia’s best.
The partnership marks the first time Major Events Gold Coast has secured a joint council approach, collaborating with Sunshine Coast Council, with the deal set to drive tens of thousands of additional visitors to Queensland.
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said,
“This is a significant deal for Queensland’s economic recovery and locks in eight Australian Surf Life Saving Championship events between 2023 and 2032,”
“Competitors come with family and friends, making The Aussies an incredibly important event for tourism operators and our Economic Recovery Plan for the tourism industry.”
This year, the Australian Championships were held on the Sunshine Coast, generating more than 78,000 visitor room nights, and $16 million for local businesses.
“The agreement with the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships is a clear vote of confidence in Queensland’s ability to host major events and our world-class visitor destinations on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.", Mr Hinchliffe said.
The Gold Coast has a strong history of supporting The Aussies, with eight events held in the city in the last 13 years.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Aussies would again be embraced by the city.
“Our city is famous for its hospitality, amazing weather and golden sands so it is only fitting that the Aussies will be back again,” Cr Tate said.
Surf Life Saving Australia President John Baker ESM said he is looking forward to the eight editions of The Aussies in Queensland from 2023 to 2032.
“To be able to lock in eight editions of The Aussies, our membership will be looking forward to returning to the sunny beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Queensland again.”
As events continue to play a pivotal role in the economic recovery of Queensland post COVID-19, Major Events Gold Coast is committed to supporting the return of a full and diverse event calendar for the City of Gold Coast. The acquisition of the major event will provide a significant economic injection to the city and showcase the Gold Coast as the ultimate stage for tourism and events for years to come.
Major Events Gold Coast is proud to support the return of The Aussies, and look forward to welcoming the team at Surf Life Saving Australia, the competitors, spectators and their families back to the Gold Coast for what is set to be an iconic decade of memorable surfing action.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.