Flashback: The Gold Coast was declared the world’s most godless place as 1987 changed city

THE Gold Coast was becoming ‘the world’s most godless place’ as buildings rose and Joh fell. Welcome to the Glitter Strip of February 1987.

Sheraton Mirage being built on the Gold Coast Spit. March 31, 1987. Picture by Grahame Long.

THE year was 1987 and greed was good.

Welcome to the Gold Coast of the late 1980s, which saw the rise of new buildings which became known as monuments to the decade of excess and the fall of past icons and traditions.

Three decades ago this month, the Glitter Strip enjoyed a turbulent month that would come to shape the future years of the city and state as a whole.

Up in smoke and alcohol pricing

SMOKERS were told to butt out by the Hawke Government which intimated a ban on smoking aboard planes flying in Australia.

The ban, proposed in late 1986 came into effect in early 1987 and caused ruling among those who enjoyed the nicotine.

But smokers were told to breathe easy because under the initial rules, they would not have to stub out their cigarettes before boarding short-air flights.

Ansett and Australia Airlines refused the accept Federal Government proposals on flights of less than 90 minutes.

A spokesman for Aviation Minister Peter Morris told the Bulletin only East-West Airlines showed any interested in the proposal.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke took aim at smokers.

In fact, the airline led the way, proposing at total ban on smoking aboard domestic flights.

Meanwhile, local bottle shops reacted with fury as the price of alcohol rose.

The recently opened Ashmore Cellars took out a two-page ad in the Bulletin carrying a caricature of the Prime Minister and offering a sale before the price went up.

“Yes, Bob (Hakwe) and Paul (Keating) are at it again, putting the liquor prices up to pay for their new (Parliament) house in Canberra. stock up now and save,” the ad read.

Smoking had still been permitted aboard flights by Ansett and other airlines.

And business was good, with a 750ml bottle of Bundaberg Run going for just $11.99, while a slab of XXXX was just $15.80.

Customers were limited to five cartons each.

A ‘GODLESS PLACE’

POLICE used RAAF helicopter, s horses and a convoy of cars in a dawn raid on the Finks Motorcycle Club’s Upper Coomera Hinterland hide away.

It was one of the Gold Coast police’s largest actions in the months before the Fitzgerald inquiry was announced, unveiling the city’s underbelly.

Surfers Paradise had Grundy’s in 1987. Its many fans would disagree about it being a godless place.

A Surfers Paradise preacher used the occasion to declare the GOld Coast was fast becoming one of the most godless societies in thew world.

Reverend Garth Filmer, a Uniting Church minister for more than 10 years said ‘the eternal God of the Bible’ was being replaced by alternate gods such as ‘beer, betting and bad women’.

“You see, you can attend church every Sunday and lots of us on the Gold Coast do just that,” he said.

“During the rest of the week we find ourselves serving the gods in the ‘b’ category — beautiful houses, boats, beaches, bowls clubs, better schools and the bank accounts that make it all happen.”

AND SPEAKING OF 80S EXCESS ...

Christopher Skase in 1987. Pic News Limited.

REVEREND Filmer’s talk of serving bank accounts came the same day as 250 construction workers push ahead rapidly with putting the roof on Christopher Skase’s great legacy — the $157 million Sheraton Mirage.

The beachside hotel was rising on the former site of the Andalusia Park theme park, with a completion date of September 1987.

JOH FOR PM

Sir Joh on the campaign trail in 1987

QUEENSLAND’S long-serving Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen decided to use early 1987 to launch his disastrous ‘Joh for PM’ campaign.

He toured the Gold Coast and other cities trying to drum up support for his tilt as the nation’s top job, forcing a split in the Coalition.

But Mr Hawke decided to use the chaos and called the election months earlier than expected.

Sir Joh was in the US visiting Disneyland. He had not nominated for a federal seat and was unable to stand for parliament.

Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, with a Joh for PM T-shirt.

But that didn’t stop him campaigning any way, arriving at the Arts Centre Gold Coast just three days before the July 11 poll to fire up supporters.

Walking on stage with future senator John Stone to the theme from Star Wars, Sir Joh urged Gold Coasters to support the Nationals.

Ultimately, Labor won a third term in office and the premier returned to focus on the spiralling corruption scandal which brought about his downfall just months later.

Bob Hawke with wife Hazel on the campaign trail.