FULL LIST: Gold Coast’s most outrageous moments from the Covid-19 pandemic
As the peak of the pandemic nears its end we take a look back at the craziest moments: Pauline Hanson, horseback protesters, Covid parties, catch up on the chaos.
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The past two years have been an interesting time to live on the Glitter Strip to say the least.
Residents grappled with the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. Toilet paper shortages became a common sight at supermarkets and slowly, the city became more divided as anti-vaxxers revolted against Queensland’s controversial mandates.
Not to mention the tough luck cross-border families living just streets apart forcibly separated as each state slammed shut to interstaters, people losing their jobs, and the tragic loss of life.
With the pandemic close to over, here’s some of the most memorable and wacky moments from the past few years, now etched into the city’s history books.
Stuntman’s horseback misadventure
A Hollywood movie stuntman fined more than $7000 after riding his horse through a border blockade made headlines nationwide for his theatrical antics.
But it seems Michael Corrigan, 52, didn’t learn his lesson the first time – turning up at another protest outside Tweed Shire Council headquarters just weeks later.
Mr Corrigan previously worked as a stunt performer in films including Thor: Ragnarok, Superman Returns and The Wolverine.
He was fined by both Queensland and NSW after taking part in the initial rowdy demonstration at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads on August 22.
But his involvement in the second “freedom” protest resulted in charges being laid.
Mr Corrigan initially pleaded guilty in Murwillumbah Local Court last September to unlawfully participating in an outdoor gathering in a stay at home area, however, changed his plea to not guilty when his case returned to court in December.
The matter returns to court May 11.
‘Fake’ doctor’s fraudulent documents
A Gold Coast woman accused of pretending to be a doctor and issuing fake medical exemptions for Covid vaccinations is one of many daring attempts to flout health orders.
Maria Pau, who goes by “Dr Maria Power”, was charged by police who for allegedly falsifying counterfeit certificates that excused clients from undergoing COVID-19 testing, getting a vaccine and wearing a mask.
She was arrested at a Labrador home last October and charged with five counts of masquerading as a health practitioner, police alleging she issued more than 600 documents.
But police are now investigating fresh claims the woman, 45, has resumed work – despite her case still being before the court.
The Bulletin revealed last week it had obtained Facebook messages allegedly showing Ms Pau spruiking her services, offering exemptions for $150 or $450 for a bundle of three – vaccination, mask wearing and PCR tests.
Ms Pau, from the Gold Coast, was the first person in Queensland charged under Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
Interstate truckies blockade M1
Two interstate truckies and a van driver were slapped with significant fines after a “Freedom” rally took to the Gold Coast’s busiest road, blockading peak-hour traffic.
Gold Coast police confirmed the truckies were issued infringement notices totalling more than $4000 due to their alleged involvement in August last year.
The divisive rally lasted about two hours and involved a limited number of drivers protesting Queensland’s mandatory vaccination requirement for essential workers.
Two truck drivers – a 33-year-old New South Wales man and a 35-year-old Victorian man – were both fined for stopping on a freeway and failing to comply with moving heavy vehicle. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old van driver was fined for obstruct path of drivers and stopping on a freeway
Micro-influencer’s part in Covid protests
A Tweed Heads woman with almost 3000 followers told police she was “protected under UN conventions” when she was arrested for attending a Covid protest at the state border.
Brittany Katrine Barrett, 39, pleaded guilty in Murwillumbah Local Court to unlawfully participating in an outdoor gathering during a stay at home period.
According to the police facts, Barrett attended a protest at the Queensland state border on last August with up to 2000 other people.
Police believed Barrett was an organiser and an agitator within the Tweed Shire.
Video evidence included Barrett live streaming herself at the protest on a Facebook under the name Britt X Barrett.
Barrett was convicted and sentenced to a two year community corrections order.
Anti-mandate trolls target Burleigh Pav
Anti-mandate trolls review-bombed popular Burleigh Pavilion after its owner told unvaccinated patrons to “forget about” trying to enter when mandates kicked in last December.
Owner Ben May came out strong ahead of the mandates coming into effect, backing the state government’s hard line approach to ban unvaccinated patrons from all pubs, cafes and some public spaces.
Mr May told the Bulletin at the time that people had known for months that the controversial mandates would kick in.
“If someone can’t get a coffee or something to eat because they aren’t vaccinated I don’t really care,” he said, later doubling down on his stance on social media.
But critics did not take kindly to his words, taking to social media and Google Reviews to attack the venue – its rating dipping to 3.7 stars after about 200 one-star reviews.
It would seem the seaside venue hasn’t been suffered too badly in the fallout, with both it's the casual dining area and its restaurant offshoot The Tropic continually packed with revellers.
Anti-vax ironman’s backlash
A prominent Gold Coast businessman last year slammed legendary surf lifesaver Trevor Hendy for being an ‘anti-vaxxer’ and ‘loose cannon’ as rumours of a mutiny swirled.
The surf sport hero – also president of Surfers Paradise Surf Club – came under pressure in December after he spoke at a “free-choice” rally at Coolangatta.
His recent appearances at the protests and earlier social media comments angered and upset rank-and-file clubbies, who were reportedly planning to oust the legend from the club.
At the time, an SLSQ spokesman told the Bulletin: “The views expressed by Mr Hendy are personal and are not reflective of the organisation’s policies in relation to Covid-19 vaccinations for members.”
It followed a firey online between Hendy,pro surfer Kelly Slater and Ironman Matt Poole after Mr Poole shared his pro-vaccination opinion on the Summer of Surf Instagram, pleading with others to get the jab.
Pancakes in Paradise goes viral
A Gold Coast restaurateur made headlines after publicly declaring he would openly defy vaccine mandates imposed on Queensland venues last December.
Glen Day – operator of Pancakes in Paradise, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, Montezuma’s Surfers Paradise and The Aztec Broadbeach and Coolangatta – even enjoyed a spike in bookings after going public with his intentions.
The long-time operator went on to make the media rounds, appearing on Channel 9’s Today Show where a tense exchange with presenter Sylvia Jefferies unfolded.
“I think that I threw her and the producer in her ear a bit with my question,” he said.
“They cut (the interview) short because I don’t think they wanted a different perspective. If they want to drill me that’s fine but I’ll be sticking to my guns.”
Police attended the venue a handful of times though did not issue any fines.
Pauline Hanson’s Coast protest
Thousands of protesters joined controversial One Nation leader Pauline Hanson at a Gold Coast park last November in support of an anti-mandate rally in what proved to be quite the entertainment spectacle.
Chants of “freedom” echoed throughout the sizeable crowd as a line-up of speakers, including Ms Hanson and One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, took to the stage at Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach.
At times Ms Hanson received a rapturous applause from crowds, at one point interrupted by attendees chanting her name.
She doubled down on her criticism of the state government over its stance on vaccine mandates and passports: “We want our freedom, we want our choice, it’s our choice,” she told attendees, many of whom were bearing Australian flags and One Nation merchandise.
Covid parties take off
The Bulletin revealed last month a portion of Gold Coasters – largely anti-vaxxers – were taking extreme and dangerous measures to purposely expose themselves to Covid-19.
Residents had reported a concerning trend in which others were hosting ‘Covid parties,’ similar to pox parties, to boost their natural immunity to the virus.
It lead Queensland health officials condemned those choosing to host gatherings, slamming them as “selfish and self-serving” for causing unnecessary strain to the city’s health system.
The story drew national attention, gaining coverage from the Today Show and proving a hot topic on talkback radio.
Mayor Tom Tate slammed the parties despite his earlier calls to let “the virus rip.”
Anti-vax influencer’s mask defiance
Gold Coast influencers Chloe Szepanowski and her partner Mitchell Orval lost thousands of followers after allegedly promoting anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown views.
Ms Szepanowski, 22, a popular Instagram influencer and activewear label owner, was on the receiving end of a major backlash which has seen her lose more than 20,000 followers.
She was accused of flouting health restrictions again after a photo of her without a mask in a hairdressing salon appeared on social media.
This followed the controversial figure’s earlier apology after she flouted public health orders by going shopping in Big W without a mandatory face mask.
Artichoke restaurant folds
An unvaccinated restaurateur hit with heavy fines for failing to comply with Queensland’s vaccine mandates has folded to pressure to close down his business.
But Artichoke owner Grant Madgwick has vowed to reopen his Sanctuary Cove eatery amid plans to sue “the arse off the Queensland government” through a class action.
It comes after he drew the attention of Queensland Police and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation for failing to comply with health directions.
Mr Madgwick was fined almost $7000 and Artichoke was ordered to close from December 22-January 3, or until the venue complied in a reaction he dubbed “heavy handed”.
His venue was the first in Queensland to be shutdown under the mandates which came into effect last December.
The forced closure affected 32 workers, Mr Madgwick told the Bulletin, proving to be the final blow for the decade-old restaurant.
Testing bungle and queue blowouts
Christmas time was supposed to be a reunion for many Gold Coasters separated from loved ones amid lengthy border closures – thought it proved to be anything but.
Thousands of residents were forced into isolation as Covid ripped through the city over the festive season, creating nightmare queues of up to nine hours at testing clinics.
To make matters worse, many private pathology clinics has closed for the holidays which produced a mammoth backlog in testing.
Covax Australia stepped in to help after receiving a last minute calls from Queensland’s Health, according to director Mannu Kala.
Unfortunately their efforts were marred when the Gold Coast-based Covid testing firm – which operated Bond Uni’s site – were caught up in a testing bungle.
Mr Kala told the Bulletin fewer than 200 of 30,000 samples were involved, also claiming his firm was removed from Queensland Health’s website at its own request.
This led a pathology insider to dispute his claims while also slamming Queensland Health for failing to inform the clinics of the mass testing loads coming their way.
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