CHERISH OUR LOCAL GOLD COAST LEGENDS
The Gold Coast’s love for local legends like Princess, Ian the Window Washer and the Nerang Gatekeeper are proof of the city’s huge heart
GOOD on you, Gold Coast.
In this city that is always changing, always growing and almost always arguing, there is still that feeling that we are family.
Even when we fight among ourselves, it’s just the price of the passion that residents feel for the Coast.
But we are at our best when we are looking out for each other.
And I can see that so clearly in the way we recognise and celebrate some of our city’s most colourful characters.
No, I’m not talking about Mayor Tom Tate.
I’m talking about Princess. I’m talking about Ian the window-washer from Burleigh. And I’m talking about the Nerang Gatekeeper.
The outpouring of care and concern when Princess – the bikini-clad, Glitter Strip identity David Buncombe – was missing from their usual haunts was truly heartwarming.
Known for living on the bustling streets of Surfers, the community became worried when Princess was not seen in public for several weeks throughout March and April.
In an interview with the Bulletin this week, Princess said he had been living at a caravan park while recovering from a foot infection.
“It’s nice to know that I’m missed,” Princess said.
“I’m being taken good care of.”
There’s something about these characters, who somehow have become iconic even in such a big city as ours, that capture our imagination and our hearts
And readers rejoiced. Good on you, Gold Coast. Our community heart was on display too after the sudden and tragic death of Burleigh Heads windowwasher Ian Gal.
Ian was known for cleaning cars on the streets of Burleigh for many years, riding his push bike to the Burleigh Waters and Bermuda St intersection every day from his home.
In September last year, the community banded together to find him a new bike after his was stolen. And when he passed away suddenly in his Carrara home in March, our city left hundreds of tributes to this local legend – whether online or at his famous intersection.
Whether you knew him or not, the display of grief and last respects was truly moving.
There’s something about these characters, who somehow have become iconic even in such a big city as ours, that capture our imagination and our hearts.
As a resident of this city for more than 30 years, I’ve had the pleasure of multiple interactions with both of these beloved characters – not to mention a personal obsession with the Mermaid Beach Running Man.
But this week I learned of a new local legend.
The Nerang Gatekeeper. How have I missed this? Apparently, he’s legendary for sitting at the intersection of Hinkler Dr and Alexander Dr at the entry to Highland Park, sometimes smoking a ciggie and sometimes just watching passing traffic.
And he’s been doing it for well over a decade. The residents love him, so they have dubbed him the “Gatekeeper” and humorously credit him for keeping their suburb safe.
For a brief, shining moment in time, he even had his own shoutout on Nerang’s Wikipedia page.
“Nerang … is kept safe rain, hail or shine by the Nerang Gatekeeper.”
While that accolade has sadly disappeared, its screenshot lives on through the Nerang Gatekeeper’s Facebook page … which is going strong with more than 2000 followers.
According to posts, the Gatekeeper’s real name is Jesse, he has family here on the Gold Coast and he’s a local resident who mows lawns.
Although much of the page’s activity is lighthearted, there have been times when residents have rallied together to help him, like when the Gatekeeper was allegedly attacked one night and his phone stolen.
Even on a routine basis, locals keep tabs on him, making sure their Gatekeeper is safe, healthy … and keeping watch over the streets of Nerang.
Because while we may be Australia’s sixth-biggest city, we definitely have the biggest heart.
So good on you, Gold Coast. And good on you, Nerang Gatekeeper.