Ambassador role may mean meter maids covering up

A Gold Coast institution for nearly half a century, the "meter maids" of Surfers Paradise have fallen on hard times of late. But their fortunes could be revived thanks to a plan to employ them to market the Queensland holiday destination to Australians further south.

The Gold Coast Tourism authority is considering engaging the maids - who patrol the streets of Surfers Paradise in gold lycra bikinis, feeding expired meters to save motorists from parking fines - as official ambassadors. However, they may be forced to exchange their bikinis for more decorous outfits.

The maids have been around since 1965, when a Surfers businessman dreamed up the idea to highlight opposition to the introduction of parking meters. Until the 1990s they were supported by the chamber of commerce, which withdrew its sponsorship after two women appeared in Penthouse magazine. A further blow came last month when the Gold Coast City Council ordered the maids to stop selling calendars, keyrings and stubbie holders on its land. The maids' operators say the merchandise helps them to make ends meet.

Under the tourism plan, the women would be paid appearance fees for promoting the Gold Coast interstate. However, they would have to ditch their bikinis and cowboy hats. While the look might suit a beachside setting, "[that's probably not appropriate attire for] the Melbourne Convention Centre", according to a Gold Coast Tourism spokesman.

Roberta Aitchison, who runs Surfers Paradise Meter Maids, was lukewarm about the idea. "We ... won't cover up completely," she said. "We need to keep it sexy and summery, and you don't really do that in a corporate outfit. You do that in a bikini."