A SEVERE female drought has gripped Mount Isa, but Mayor John Molony thinks he has the answer: ugly girls.
Men outnumber women at a ratio of about five to one in the testosterone town and the female famine is taking its toll on young blokes.
But the quick-thinking mayor suggested these could be the perfect conditions for "ugly ducklings" to flourish into beautiful swans and find true happiness in the Isa.
"May I suggest if there are five blokes to every girl, we should find out where there are beauty-disadvantaged women and ask them to proceed to Mount Isa," Cr Molony said.
"Quite often you will see walking down the street a lass who is not so attractive with a wide smile on her face. Whether it is recollection of something previous or anticipation for the next evening, there is a degree of happiness.
"Often those who are beauty-disadvantaged are uphappy with their lot.
"Some, in other places in Australia, need to proceed to Mount Isa where happiness awaits.
"And, really, beauty is only skin deep. Isn't there a fairy tale about an ugly duckling that evolves into a beautiful swan?"
The miners' mecca has traditionally been a man's world ? and young fellas say living in the Isa is about earning money, not finding love.
In 2006 there were just 819 females aged 20-24 living in town, compared with 994 in 1996. While most blokes accept the female drought is "just the way it is out here" ? they still have a few suggestions as to how to lure the ladies out west.
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