Gold Coast Uncovered documentary unearths incredible footage of city in early days of television
Long-lost footage has shown how not all Gold Coast locals were happy to see bikinis being worn around the city five decades ago – while others were more concerned about parking. SEE THE VIDEOS >>>
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THEY have been a common sight here for many decades, but back in 1973 bikinis were still a source of controversy for some people on the Gold Coast.
Footage uncovered by Channel 7 as part of a new series called ‘Gold Coast Uncovered’ shows a remarkable interview with one local who thought the outfits were bad for the city’s image.
“It cheapens the area, it’s shoddy, to have bikinis coming into stores,” the man says.
“How is that going to sell the Gold Coast? You can get those (bikinis) in any pub.”
Other videos show Meter Maids working in Surfers Paradise in 1971 amid a campaign to get the council to scrap parking meters, and a remarkable report revealing how locals feared Oxenford would be wiped off the map when the Pacific Highway was completed in 1971.
A man behind the bar at the Oxenford Hotel tells reporter Larry Somerton that the opening of the new road has already crushed his business.
“Last Tuesday night, between seven and ten, we had one customer,” the barman says. “On the Thursday night we had three”.
Mr Somerton reported that the road had “brought ruin” to Oxenford and businesses, including a petrol station, were closing down.
“Probably by the end of the year (1971), most locals agree, the township (Oxenford) will cease to exist,” he said.
The videos are among a large number restored by Channel 7 for their new two-part special, which shines a light on life on the Gold Coast during the early years of television.
Director of 7NEWS Brisbane and Gold Coast Neil Warren said: “This two-part series will traverse decades, from the first built housing estates and canal developments, to politicians trying to ban the bikini, interviews with detectives and the family of Margaret Rosewarne who disappeared hitchhiking in 1976, towns left behind when the motorway to Brisbane was built, residents stopping bulldozers from mining the sand on the beaches and much more.”
Gold Coast Uncovered premieres 7pm, Saturday June 26 on Channel 7 Gold Coast and Brisbane and 7plus. The second episode airs on Saturday July 3.
RARE PHOTOS OF COAST’S EARLY DAYS
By Emily Toxward
A HANDFUL of rare historical photographs of the southern Gold Coast dating back as far as the 1880s is to go under the hammer on Friday.
They are part of The Rose Stereograph Company Collection, one of Australia’s most significant.
The Gold Coast photos include originals of Marine Parade, Kirra Beach, Point Danger and border gate views of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads.
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It contains images of the landing at Gallipoli, the very first known pictures of Queen Elizabeth II, Ned Kelly’s armour taken during his trial and Phar Lap winning the ‘Melbourne Cup’ in 1930. All images were uncovered in a Victoria home’s spare bedroom.
“There are original glass negatives in this collection that capture the very first moments of not only Australian but world history and some that may even change the course of history,” Lloyds Auctions chief operating officer Lee Hames said.
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“We believe this to be a world first, to offer these tangible original glass plates which rival any modern photographic resolution. This has to be one of the most important photographic collections in Australia.”
A statement from Stephen and Jeffrey Cutts, the collection custodians, said: “It is with great sadness we say goodbye to a collection that spans five generations and 140 years”.
“We understand that for these historically important pieces to rest with one family is to deny others the pleasure of their custodianship.”
Mr Hames said in a world first, Lloyds Auctions is offering blockchain proof of ownership on “arguably the most significant photographic collection in our Nation’s history”.
“For the very first time, customers can bid for ownership on both the Lloyds Auctions platform and in cryptocurrency on leading non-fungible tokens (NFT) marketplaces for rare digital collectibles.
“Winning bidders will receive ownership of both the minted NFT, along with a tangible one-of-one original glass plate negative.”
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