Gold Coast bikini ban: Mayor banned bikinis girls from event

The Gold Coast’s long-serving mayor banned three bikini girls from standing alongside him at a big event, declaring there was too much flesh. FIND OUT WHY

Banning the bikini is never an idea which has gone down well on the Gold Coast.

The debate over skimpy beachwear and where it’s appropriate to wear it raged earlier this month, when long-time community worker Ian Grace said it was time the skimpy G-string style bikinis be barred away from the water.

The Bulletin revealed in early February that Mr Grace had written to the Mayor asking for changes after an encounter at a council function run by Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neill.

Recent calls for a bikini ban did not get support from political leaders.

“Bare bums can be seen to be every bit as erotic if not more so, than women’s bare breasts – so would it not make sense they are banned identically? If not banned at the beach, very definitely banned the moment they are off the beach,” he said.

“This certainly should not be allowed in public pools or theme/water parks which are very much more family orientated.

“Young kids don’t need to see women’s bums.”.

But Mayor Tom Tate was not keen

“Ian is a brave man messing with women’s fashion,” he said.

“One thing I’ve learnt about fashion over the years is that if you try to ban something, or restrict it, that’s a certain recipe to see it double in popularity.

“I’ve also learnt that when your wife says ‘does this look good on me’, always say Yes.”

It was a different story nearly 50 years ago when, in 1977, then-Gold Coast mayor Sir Bruce Small banned bikini girls from meeting now-King Charles III.

Prince Charles (now King Charles) waves to the crowd at Bilinga during a visit to the Gold Coast.

The then-Prince of Whales was visiting the city but the 81-year-old mayor decided the royal shouldn’t see something most visitors would spot on the beach.

“The … knight, who has made the Gold Coast famous with bikini girl promotions would not allow three bikini girls to stand on the airport tarmac and Coolangatta to greet the Prince,” The Bulletin reported at the time.

“He ruled that their string-knit bikinis were too-brief and indecent to be seen by the future King of England and the girls were bundled unceremoniously behind the airport fence by police.”

Mayor Sir Bruce Small

Sir Bruce explained his reasoning.

“Too brief,” he told media at the time

“We can’t have the prince seeing all that flesh”

The three girls in question were Gwenneth Read, and Kym Scardon, both from Surfers Paradise and Tina Lawrence from Mermaid Beach.

Ms Scardon was a 22-year-old waitress at Surfers Paradise’s River inn, told the Bulletin she was surprised she and her friends were shuffled away, despite being engaged by a bikini shop to stand alongside the mayor.

The front page of the Gold Coast Bulletin covering the event.

“I didn’t feel I was uncovered,” she said.

“The bikini bottoms were a bit small in front but they were very well covered behind.

“They were very similar to string knit bikini I have worn on promotions with Sir Bruce.

“But things may be different for a prince. I don’t resent Sir Bruce’s ban, I’m sorry we didn’t meet the prince but I respect the mayor’s wisdom.”

The three women.

The future King left the Gold Coast and flew to Sydney where he was recorded telling then-NSW Premier Neville Wran that he was disappointed he didn’t get to meet the girls.

“You’re right about the healthiest-looking girls being in Australia,” he said.

“I would have liked to have seen the bikini girls at Coolangatta.

“I’m told I lead a sheltered life, I see what people mean.”

The now-King meeting Gold Coasters at the airport.