I am well aware that nostalgia and viewing the past through my new rose-coloured glasses are signs I am getting older. Photo: the Harding familyīut that’s for another column altogether. Royal Copenhagen Ice Cream store in the Paradise Centre in Cavill Mall, Surfers Paradise in January, 1985. Oh how we scoffed at the ‘Brisos’ coming down for the then fledgling Schoolies celebration, watching them pass by the Broadie as we smugly enjoyed a Sunday ‘sesh’.īecause Gold Coast teenagers had been living like schoolies every weekend since we were 16. Magic Mountain, its castle and chairlift is a favourite subject, as is the old caravan park where the casino is now and Melbas and the Playroom and going out before photo identification was mandatory. Old friends and workmates catch up with each other to reminisce about long-gone nightclubs and restaurants and once well-known characters no longer around. Legendary local photographer Richard ‘Tommy’ Campion regularly contributes pics from his colossal archive - which should be heritage listed - adding backstories to the historic events they depict as well as less notable snapshots of the past. I have lost hours flicking through the photos and reading the comments from people who, like me, look back in a haze of wistful nostalgia at the Gold Coast of old. THERE is a captivating Facebook page called “I grew up on the Gold Coast in the 70s and 80s and listened to 4GG” where people post pictures and stories about the good old days.

80s casino waitress