Channel Seven’s morning TV show Sunrise visited Lismore in the early hours of this morning, with presenter Sam Mac broadcasting the weather report from the banks of the Wilsons River. 

As the mist rolled off the river near Lismore’s boat ramp, Sam invited a host of local Lismore characters to be on the TV show, including drag queen Maude Boate, Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith, the Lismore Swans, musician Michaela Jay and local farm producers. 

As the city of Lismore gained a bit of recognition across Australia, Mayor Smith showed off his mayoral robes designed by craftsperson Denise Rall while he had his portrait painted - and the Swans attempted (unsuccessfully) to kick a ball over the Wilsons River.

Metre and a half maids

Lismore’s social distancing comediennes, metre and a half maids Merlina and her daughter Melanie, had an early start in order to be on the show this morning.

“I’ve been up since 4am and I had to be dressed in costume at the river by 5.30am,” she said. “They kept saving us for the end so we had to wait until 7.30am until we were on the show.

“I’m tired now, but it was fun and beautiful to see the local talent on the show,” she laughed.

“There was even a flamenco dancer and local mob saying ‘jingi walla’."

Merlina has been in the comedy scene for 25 years and has played a host of funny characters in the area, while keeping her real identity anonymous. She said she was told about the the Sunrise breakfast show by Lismore Car Boot market organisers - after her first successful gig as a metre and a half maid at the recent market.

“We are available for gigs anywhere and I have people in each State ready to hop into the role as metre and a half maids,” she said.

“We want to make events safe and fun and bring a bit of light humour in all the craziness of the world at the moment.

“We walk around and ensure social distancing behaviour in people without making them uncomfortable. I carry a stop and go stick that is exactly 1.5 metres and we make noise and tell people we are keeping this market open and thank you for being aware.

“It’s like they let a gasp out because we are not being hard about it – it’s a new way to think about it.”

So where did the idea for the maids come from?

“I have a weird brain - I was a yoyo champ as a kid,” she laughed. “Some of my clever friends helped me with costumes, wigs and hats and it goes down a treat.

“We are available for bookings for gigs – weddings, parties, anything - and we will be at the Channon market this weekend - and will be a regular feature at the car boot market.”

If you want to contact the metre and a half maids, find them on Facebook or Instagram #metreandahalfmaids. 

You can watch this morning’s Sunrise episode online at https://7plus.com.au/sunrise

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