Remember when? Quirky councillor Kerry Smith gifted a white rat

Call it nostalgia but somehow politics on all levels seemed to be more fun way back when.

REMEMBER WHEN: Call it nostalgia but somehow politics on all levels seemed to be more fun way back when.

Quirky councillor the ‘mouse that roared’

Today’s picture is of Kerry Smith (as she was then) before she become one of our most memorable councillors in the Gold Coast City Council.

This was taken in 1988 at an election rally when Kerry ran on a ticket to stop the monorail in Broadbeach.

The little white rodent was given to Kerry as a gift - presumably along the lines that she was going to be the mouse that roared.

She lost that election but was elected in 1991, lost in 1995 and was a constant source of headlines during her stint in council.

From her Fiat Bambino covered in polka dots, to an idea to have a cardboard cut-out of herself used at functions she couldn’t attend, to gifting then Mayor Lex Bell a pet pig with Dawn Crichlow, she was a whirling dervish of sensationalism and controversy.

After politics she went back to law, became the Solicitor-General for Nauru and is now mainly living in New Zealand with her Nobel Peace Prize winning husband Professor Jim Salinger.

Kerry Smith. Picture: Regina King

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tall order for tailor to stars

It is not all doom and gloom among retailers.

In Main Beach Les Sherlock, tailor to the stars, from Borries has been amazed at the number of orders he has received from clients in Australia and overseas.

There is one in particular that has him literally throwing up his hands. Les has been commissioned by Ripley’s in Surfers Paradise to create the suiting for the model of Robert Wadlow, the tallest man who ever lived.

Given that Robert reached a staggering 2.70 metres it is little wonder that Les will be taking a fold-out ladder along for the measuring and fitting.

tourism backs rural fireys

Great to see that even in these tough times Skal International Gold Coast has been able to raise some much need funds for the Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Brigade.

Last week President Bob Brett was able to hand over $5,000 to the local volunteer organisation.

“The money came our own sources and also overseas clubs that wanted to help after seeing the devastating bushfires over summer,” said Bob.

Speaking of Bob he was also honoured for his 25 years of sterling service to the tourism industry club.

Since he left his distinguished Army career, including being awarded a Military Cross, he has headed up Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast Tourism and JPT Tours. A tourism titan.

GC generosity starts at top

We have always believed that per capita the Gold Coast is the most generous city in Australia. The Annual Vinnies CEO Sleep Out has once again strengthened that belief.

On 18th June it was on again although this time due to social distancing it was conducted by participants sleeping rough outside at home.

Event ambassadors Colin Wheeler and Karen Phillips have been stunned by the response.

“Due to the economic climate we were expecting around $50,000 but at last count we were closing in on $80,000 which is phenomenal,” said Colin.

“Ben Crawley, Rob Molhoek MP, Theo Vairaktaris, Lorraine Lovatt and Paul Jeynes, are our top five, and everyone went all out to raise every dollar they could.

The money has never been as desperately needed as it is today to help the homeless on the Gold Coast.”

Colin Wheeler.

Scammers mess with wrong ‘victim’

This is a warning to all online fraudsters – do NOT under any circumstance mess with Melissa Burrows.

The popular blonde saw an advertisement for a face cream which purported to have an interview by Richard Wilkins with Delta Goodrem in which the songbird said it was the best cream ever.

At a cost of $2.49 Melissa reasoned there wasn’t much to lose. With her mother’s credit card nearby she ordered a bottle.

Next morning her mother Pam noticed a charge for $670 and asked Melissa what had happened. Scam!

So she rang Channel 9 who said that the endorsement was a fake.

She then attempted to get in touch with the company but of course they did not reply.

Melissa then contacted an ex-FBI agent for help and together they tracked down the company through a Panamanian holding company to an address in Ohio.

In short order she found the name of the couple who ran the scam, contacted the Governor of Ohio, rang the clubs they belonged to and even the school the couple’s children attend. Pointedly she told all those associated with the scammers that they were crooks and she was going to keep going until the money was returned.

Not long after that her bank rang to say the money had been returned and, after hearing the story, offered Melissa a job in their cybersecurity division.

To top it off a free box of the face cream turned up this week. We would call that winning bigly.

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Melissa Burrows.

high-flyer sweats on a ‘bailout package’

Once upon a time in the land of Gold Coast lived a glam power couple who were the undisputed King and Queen of the social set.

This designer couple had a handsome son who once roamed the land in his fleet of Italian sports cars squiring all the most beautiful leggie lovelies to the best chop joints in town.

Nothing wrong with that.

Only one problem. His account with a number of eateries is way over due and the rent for his waterfront mansion has not been forthcoming for months.

Will Mummy and Daddy help him out again?

Sarah Hickey.

JUMPING AT RETRO LOOK

Love this casual chic look as worn by Sarah Hickey on her way out to lunch at a girlfriend’s house on the weekend. (All social distancing rules obeyed.)

“I love finding bargain pieces and this jumpsuit was on sale from General Pants.

“The 60s retro look is a favourite of mine so I jazzed it up with a Salvatore Ferragamo scarf.

“To complete the look I have Louis Vuitton shoes and handbag and some bangles by Samantha Wills.

“My style icon at the moment is French model Thylane Blondeau who is so chic. I also love Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie for their old school, Hollywood glamour.”