GEMLIFE STAFF MEMBER JACQUI CARLING-RODGERS IS A GOLD COASTER WHO’S FOUND THE CITY’S HISTORY SO FASCINATING THAT SHE HAS AMASSED A SIZEABLE VINTAGE SOUVENIR COLLECTION.
The Gold Coast is the jewel in Australia’s tourism crown, but you might be surprised how far back the love affair with the ‘glitter strip’ goes.
“The city has such a fascinating history starting with cedar cutters of the hinterland, the cane growers at Benowa and Pimpama, and the graziers on the western side of the M1,” said Jacqui. “Not a lot of people know that farmers attempted to grow cotton on the northern part of the Gold Coast to send to idle cotton mills in Manchester during the height of the American Civil War.”
Toward the end of the 19th century, Southport and Tamborine Mountain were popular holiday spots for the well-to-do of Brisbane. Indeed, the Queensland Governor’s summer house was built in 1883 on the banks of the Nerang River on what is now the grounds of the prestigious TSS boys’ school.
When the South Coast railway line connected the state’s capital with Southport in 1889, even more day-trippers ventured southward. From there, residential allotments were opened to increasing numbers of people who wanted to call the region home.
Ironically, it was a trip out to Stanthorpe which prompted Jacqui’s souvenir collecting.
“My husband and I were looking in an antiques store and saw a 1930s porcelain dish with souvenir view of Narrowneck,” she said. “We bought it on a whim and shared a chuckle that we drove two hours from home for a holiday and returned with a souvenir from the city we live in.”
Once the collecting bug bit, she couldn’t stop. Jacqui has given up counting how many pieces she has, suffice to say it fully fills two display cases and that doesn’t include the boxes of vintage postcards. The earliest piece in her collection is a postcard from Southport postmarked 1915 and there are a few gems from the 1960s, 70s and 80s as well.
“There are a number of reasons why collecting souvenirs and postcards is so appealing,” said Jacqui.
“Souvenirs are memories of the lovely time someone once had on holiday and the Gold Coast’s skyline has changed so much over the years. Every time I look at my souvenirs, I feel like I’m stepping back in time.”
Residents at GemLife Gold Coast will be able to create lasting memories of their own with the location boasting a stunning view of the Gold Coast skyline from Coomera to Surfers Paradise. One of the resort’s highlights will be The Peak Pavilion which will sit atop the site’s highest point to capture 180-degree views of the city.