In my personal life, I have had to leave behind a place where I was born, raised and formed—like many Gold Coasters. Moving forward to a new life in a new city, I have to keep an open mind and heart to be able to live life with my family to the fullest. But moving forward does not mean I should forget my past. In fact, for me to advance, I have to look back, acknowledge my past and learn from it.
The Gold Coast has a rich history. In this fourth edition of Boat Gold Coast, we collected stories of the past that have made impacts in the current Gold Coast boating and waterways lifestyle.
Our editorial team had the privilege of meeting the woman behind the man behind the Sanctuary Cove Act of 1985. Her name is Margaret Toose and her story tells of her personal interactions with the people behind the place of “ultimate living” (p44). We also look back and remember the water skiing era, where Keith Williams and Vaughan Bullivant were champions in their own right (p8). An engineering feat that the Gold Coast is known for is the Sand Bypass System developed in the 80s (p50). We also recall how in the 90s, a man named Rod McLaughlin proposed for signages on our canals. We look into his proposal, and bring out insights on naming residential waterways (p42). We remind you of the days when there were only six races a year held by the Southport Yacht Club and how the current 76 races have come to be (p26), and how a young man attempted to use a computer as a navigational aid way back in the 80s and was successful (p30).
With a glimpse of the past, we are able to learn more about our city, and how it has grown from dairy farms into a bustling destination city for people who love the sun, the surf, the beach and the boats. Government policies and stakeholder participation are key to a future of a boating industry and a lifestyle that are thriving and sustainable.
The National Clean Air Agreement is a reality that will affect the future of two-stroke outboard engines in the country (p18) but it is no cause to worry as the aim is to achieve a cleaner environment for us. The Gold Coast Waterways Authority are bracing for more projects to implement and support for the coming year, such as dredging and infrastructure developments (p37). Industry leaders also speak up about their boating life and look forward to a bright future for boating (p36).
It is indeed an exciting future ahead for Gold Coast in a lot of ways. I find myself understanding my new home city more as I venture into its past. But as I have to move forward in my own life, the Gold Coast has also no way to go but forward. The future of Gold Coast boating—the industry and the lifestyle—is something to look forward to with an open mind and an open heart. Although we seek outside to find our greener pastures, we must look inside our own city, our own people and our own resources, and give them the opportunity to flourish in a place that was only a dream to those who lived before us.
Roselle Tenefrancia
