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One week into March and we’re feeling good. With the footy officially kicking off and the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix knocking on the door, the entire Man of Many team is gearing up for a monster few weeks., and we’ve got more good news. We’ve pulled together our favourite stories of the week, covering everything from positive impact initiatives to groundbreaking efforts in the mental health space. So, without further adieu, here’s Feel-Good Friday for your enjoyment.
In a World-First, Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades are Being Used to Create Surfboards
Professional surfer Josh Kerr is famous for making a splash on the global tour, but now, the Aussie is turning his attention to a new passion. Through his brand Draft Surf, Kerr has teamed up with renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure business ACCIONA to create a world-first surfboard made from retired wind turbine blades.
Taking a decommissioned blade from ACCIONA’s Waubra wind farm in Victoria, Kerr produced ten prototype boards. The fins of the board, made from recycled fiberglass, provide stability, drive and speed and the outer shell is further strengthened by incorporating recycled turbine blade particulate into the fiberglassing process. The unique boards were created as part of ACCIONA’s Turbine Made initiative; Australia’s first initiative dedicated to exploring innovative ways to transform decommissioned wind turbine blades into new materials and products.
“When ACCIONA approached us about being part of the solution and working together to create these surfboards, we jumped at the opportunity,” Kerr said. “At its core, our brand is about enabling the best surfing experience with quality products, in a sustainable way – which aligns with ACCIONA’s vision for Turbine Made.”
The Turbine Made initiative builds on ACCIONA’s previous work with European fashion brand El Ganso, which saw the organisation create sneakers featuring recycled blade material in their soles. ACCIONA is also advancing in end-of-life turbine recycling through the development of a blade recycling plant in Navarra, Spain, which is set to become operational in 2026, creating 100 jobs and a processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes of material per year.
Play Assassin’s Creed Shadows Before Launch
Want to play the next big blockbuster game before it even hits shelves? To celebrate the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, developer Ubisoft ANZ is offering gamers the opportunity to test out the new title in the franchise before its official release later this year. To access the first-look playthrough, players will need to visit Fortress Sydney on Friday, March 14 between 4pm and 10pm and follow the instructions.
Best of all, the Fortress event will also see Assassin’s Creed fans walk home with a bevy of prizes. Of those who secure your spot for a 30-minute hands-on session with the game, a limited number will receive an exclusive Assassin’s Creed Shadows pin, while those who take part in the Assassin’s Creed x Magic the Gathering event will have the chance to win one of many Beyond Booster packs. There will also be prizes for the winner of the Assassin’s Creed trivia between 7pm and 8pm.
Set in feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the latest instalment in the hit video game franchise. This time around, players experience the intertwined stories of Naoe, an adept shinobi Assassin from the Iga Province, and Yasuke, the powerful samurai of historical legend. According to Ubisoft, you can expect to explore their personal journeys, encounter pivotal historical figures, and shape the duo’s shared destiny as Japan treads a brutal path toward unification. For more information on the Assassin’s Creed Shadows x Fortress event, visit the link below.
Support Youth Off The Streets with the Inaugural Resilience Ride
Australian charity organisation Youth Off The Streets is back again with another community-focused initiative that promises to get the blood pumping. The organisation has announced the inaugural Resilience Ride, a three-day cycling event in Orange that will take place from March 15 to 17. Across the duration of the event, participants will cycle anywhere between 268-404km, depending on their choice of distance, with the registration fee and any additional individual fundraising going towards Youth Off The Streets’ mission to support children and young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness.
The ride kicks off on Thursday, 15 May, at the Moulder Park Velodrome, which serves as the official Ride Hub. Here, riders will find a complimentary coffee truck each morning, assistants, and a bike wash to ensure the day runs smoothly.
If you are interested in getting on your bike and doing a good thing for the community, there are additional benefits to the Resilience Ride. Professional bike mechanics, on-road support and a custom riding jersey will be accessible and available to all riders, with cyclists sharing the route, meals and drinks with fellow riders and the very young people their fundraising will support.
Jack Daniel’s Offers Up Complimentary Sportscar Rides
Race weekend just got a little sweeter. After the breakout success of last year’s activation, premium Tennessee whiskey brand Jack Daniel’s is bringing its Pit Stop Party back to Melbourne. Moreover, you can also score a ride in a supercar, free of charge, courtesy of the much-loved Jack’s Rides activation.
From Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March, between 12pm and 10pm, fans heading to or from Albert Park can book rides in pairs from either The Espy in St Kilda or Crown Melbourne in Southbank—turning their journey into an extension of the race-day thrill. According to the brand, each car is kitted out with onboard headsets, and each passenger is also copping a complimentary Jack Daniel’s cocktail. But that’s not all.
For the first time ever, Jack Daniel’s is creating a dedicated race HQ for fans with the launch of Jack’s Garage at The Espy in St Kilda. A nod to the whiskey brand’s partnership with McLaren Racing, the iconic venue will be transformed into a pit stop party from Thursday, March 14, to Sunday, March 16, complete with authentic McLaren memorabilia—including driver suits and a stunning replica F1 car.
“At Jack Daniel’s, we live for moments that bring people together over great whiskey and unforgettable experiences,” Jack Daniel’s brand manager, Ashleigh Wheeler said. “With the return of Jack’s Rides and the launch of Jack’s Garage, we’re taking race weekend to the next level—bringing fans closer to the thrill of the track, the energy of the McLaren team, and, of course, the spirit of Jack Daniel’s. Whether you’re buckling up for a supercharged ride or raising a glass at The Espy, this is a weekend that race fans will never forget.”
Jack’s Rides and Jack’s Garage will kick off on Thursday 13 March in Melbourne, with tickets for each of Jack’s Garage’s nightly live music gigs available now. Better still, a percentage of the proceeds go directly to the national music industry charity, Support Act:
- Thursday, 13 March: Newcastle alt-rock heroes Rum Jungle
- Friday, 14 March: US soul powerhouses Durand Jones and The Indications
- Saturday, 15 March: Legendary local DJ Nina Las Vegas
- Sunday, 16 March: Country sensation Brad Cox
Bookings for a spot in a luxe Jack’s Rides sportscar open at 9am, Friday 7 March. You can find out more information and book a sport at the link below.
You can eat Oscar Piastri’s Burger at Grill’d
Healthy burger chain Grill’d partnered with the F1 superstar earlier this year to bring his ‘ultimate burger’ to market, delivering their most protein-packed burger yet, with 13 essential vitamins and minerals while still remaining low in sugar, and decked in his colours.
The burger, lovingly known as the ‘Oscar Piastri Burger’ combines pasture-raised premium 100% Australian Wagyu beef patty on a charcoal bun with papaya sesame seeds, chipotle mayo, crispy bacon, aged cheddar, shredded carrot, cost lettuce and Spanish onion. If your mouth isn’t salivating yet, I don’t know what to tell you, but you might want to go to a different kind of GP.
“Both Grill’d and I were born in Melbourne and I’ve always been a long-time fan of their healthy and nutritious burgers,” Oscar said. “The burger I’ve created with the team is not only packed with protein and low sugar but it tastes great.”
The burgers also comes in a combo, with chips and blood-orange Sodaly, and will only be available until the 31 March – so get in there quick!
