HUNKS IN TRUNKS
Manly makeover for Meter Maids
THE Meter Maids have hit back at claims they’re past their sell-by date with plans for a modern makeover featuring Meter Males.
The concept has the backing of some powerful city leaders, who say it’s time the iconic Gold Coast outfit catered to female visitors too. Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow called it an “absolutely great idea”.
“Why has it taken 50 years? People visiting love to have their photo with Meter Maids and it will be the same with Meter Guys,” she said.
THE Gold Coast’s world-famous Meter Maids are far from cowed by fresh criticism – wanting gender equality with ‘Meter Men’ strutting Surfers Paradise streets.
Meter Maids owner Roberta Aitchison is toying with starting “Meter Men” and wants to hear from keen lads.
Key city leaders back it, saying if it’s good enough for women then why not men.
She has tried it before but said it didn’t work because blokes in boardshorts with a Maid was “like a couple” and weren’t as approachable.
She would keep lads separate, she said.
“Let’s have nice tanned male bodies – is that sexist?
“I just have to find guys who would be interested.”
Mayapur Rapinett, a World Gym Surfers Paradise personal trainer, said it would give girls something to look at too: “I walk around with my shirt off all the time so if I was getting paid, even better.”
Debate about appropriateness of Meter Maids in 2017 was reignited at the Bulletin’s Going for Gold Commonwealth Games legacy symposium this week when an attendee asked why there were no more national Meter Maid promotional tours.
Meter Maids, strutting Surfers Paradise in heels and gold bikinis since the 1960s, were famously taken on tour by late Mayor Sir Bruce Small. Sitting Mayor Tom Tate told the symposium whilst he loved the Meter Maids’ role in history, the city was more sophisticated and they didn’t need to be “front and centre”.
Asked about Meter Men, Cr Tate said: “That is a business decision for them. I don’t have an opinion.”
Cr Crichlow called it an “absolutely great idea”.
“Why has it taken 50 years? People visiting love to have their photo with Meter Maids and it will be the same with Meter Guys.”
Surfers Paradise MP JohnPaul Langbroek said he was a fan of a male equivalent.
“Peole like seeing buff males in boardshorts and if they are fulfilling the same role as Meter Maids I don’t have a problem, otherwise it’s reverse sexism isn’t it.”
Mr Langbroek said he preferred the historic model which was council-funded and more focused on stopping tourists getting park fines by feeding meters.
“Meter Maids in the current commercial form have lost some of the charm because of the commercial focus,” Mr Langbroek said.
The privately run Maids still feed meters but now sell merchandise and get donations for posing for photos.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said: “If you are going to have women, why not men but I agree with Mayor Tate there is much more to the Gold Coast now.”
Surfers Costa D’Oro restaurateur Nuccia Fusco said Meter Maids were still popular and guys in budgie smugglers would “stand out”.
Ms Aitchison said her Maids were hired on Friday to give visiting SEQ Icecream staff a very “Gold Coast” welcome at the airport: “We’re not asking to be front and centre, just part of it ... like tourists in France want a photo with the Eiffel Tower.”