IT’S a golden jubilee for the Glitter Strip’s famed gold ­bikini-clad guardian angels.

The iconic Surfers Paradise Meter Maids will today celebrate 50 years of walking the tourist strip’s footpaths to prevent motorists being fined.

RELATED: THE HISTORY THAT SHAPED THE METER MAIDS



GALLERY: METER MAIDS NOW AND THEN

The tiaras, suits and capes worn by early generation Meter Maids are long gone but the local institution is a daily sight through central Surfers Paradise.

media_camera Gold Coast Meter Maids Ann Stengel and Kathy Ford with radio identity Billy J Smith during a promotional photo to giveaway a car in 1970 through the Gold Coast Sun. Picture: Gold Coast Meter Maids

General manager Michael Yarwood said the bikini and cowboy hat-wearing women reflected the cheeky and pioneering spirit of Gold Coast identities such as Keith Williams, Sir Bruce Small and service founder Bernie Elsie.

“They are among the most recognisable icons of the Gold Coast triggering fond memories of Australia’s holiday playground for visitors,” he said.

50 years of Meter Maids media_camera 1969 Meter Maid Kathy Ford. Picture: Supplied. 1 of 18 media_camera 2012 Meter Maids at a Best Beaches in the World photo shoot. Picture: Supplied. 2 of 18 media_camera Meter Maid Julia Boscolo from Italy in 2012. Picture: Supplied. 3 of 18 media_camera Meter Maids featured in the Surfers Paradise Mirror on July 2, 1969. Picture: Supplied. 4 of 18 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 14 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

“They have outlasted most of the buildings which were built the same year the service started, and as long as the public wants them, the Meter Maids will survive and prosper.

“I reckon they will be here in another 50 years and it will take someone as passionate as longtime owner Roberta Aitchison to make it happen.”

media_camera Meter Maids (L-R) Ashleigh Carr, Tiylah Rusnik, Melissa Iarusso, Michelle Reeves, Larissa Bartolo, Ashleigh Parr and Nicole James take a stroll in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Richard Gosling

The Meter Maids were founded in 1965 by entrepreneur Bernie Elsie after the Gold Coast City Council introduced parking meters to central Surfers Paradise.

The service has been used to promote the Gold Coast across Australia and the world in the years, including a famous trip to Melbourne with Mayor Sir Bruce Small in 1967.

It has even survived the removal of traditional coin-operated parking meters and the introduction of hi-tech digital machines.

media_camera The Surfers Paradise Meter Maids will today celebrate 50 years of walking the tourist strip’s footpaths to prevent motorists being fined. Picture: Richard Gosling

Current Meter Maids will join original Jill North today to cut a cake marking 50 years since the first maids started in April, 1965.

The anniversary celebrations will continue, with a film crew from the Germany-based wing of Sony Pictures to record a feature with the Meter Maids promoting the Gold Coast.

It will air in Europe to an audience of more than 130 million people.

Another 15 international media engagements are scheduled this year.

“The Meter Maids have strong brand recognition and politicians and bureaucrats could embrace this and take advantage of it in future,” Mr Yarwood said.