Minute With The Mayor 8 August

A Mighty Lift-Off for Bowen and Australia’s Space Future

Last week, history was made in Bowen, and I couldn’t be prouder of what it means for our Whitsunday region and for Australia.

Gilmour Space Technologies successfully launched its Eris rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport and while the mission ended shortly after take-off, make no mistake: this was a major milestone.

Getting that rocket off the ground was no small feat as it was Australia’s first attempt at an orbital launch in more than 50 years, and the very first from an Australian-designed and built rocket.

There’s been plenty of commentary since the launch with some of it supportive, some of it unfair. But as someone who has backed Gilmour Space from day one, let me be clear: this wasn’t a failure, it was a foundational success.

Every major advancement in space technology, from NASA to SpaceX,  has been built on trial, error, and relentless perseverance. What Gilmour achieved is proof that world-class space innovation is happening right here in the Whitsundays.

This is about much more than a single rocket flight. It’s about laying the groundwork for a commercial space industry that could create jobs, attract investment, and put Bowen and the Whitsunday region on the map in a whole new way.

It’s about showing our young people,  especially those growing up in country Queensland,  that they don’t have to leave the regional areas to chase a career in advanced science, engineering, or aerospace. The opportunities are launching right here.

James, Adam, Michelle and the entire team at Gilmour Space have shown incredible grit, vision and courage in getting to this point.

Lifting off from the red dirt of Bowen was a symbolic and significant moment for all of us. It proves that the future of Australian space exploration doesn’t belong to the big cities alone but belongs to regional communities like ours that dare to dream big.

Let’s be the kind of region that gets behind bold ideas and backs pioneers who are doing what’s never been done before.

Because this is only the beginning and I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.

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