Page 38 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

Community advocate Is there a supportive culture of
and Eden & Wade young people in Cairns?
Amy Age Yes most definitely. I have been
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proactive in surrounding myself
with supportive people and actively
Eden support others - it’s a win-win. We
all raise each other up just like a
rising tide lifts all boats.
What are some of the unique
Talent / Bringing people together to attributes and advantages you
make positive change in our bring to the work you do?
community I'm not afraid to ask. People in this
Passion / People town can be so generous if you give
them an opportunity. I'm constantly
What inspires you in your work? grateful for the time, expertise and
Lots! I enjoy being an agent of resources that Cairns people
positive change and the ripple effect provide to projects I work on when
this has on the immediate and simply asked.
external community. I love acting as What do people under-40 have to
a conduit and linking people together contribute to the future of Cairns?
to achieve a shared outcome. Not Entrepreneurial spirit and energy, a
only do many hands make light work new and different way of thinking,
but support networks are extended improved sustainability and
and strengthened. Building strong diversity of industry, innovation
relationships with community, through engagement and
industry and government is key. partnerships, tenacity and vision.

Annee’s Caphe Sua Da
Age
Annee Nguyen 31

Talent / Single-handedly creating a community of Vietnamese coffee fiends
Passion / Being creative in a business she loves.

In the same way Darren Barber and Sam Kennis started a revolution in the
local small bar scene, Annee created an entirely new niche in the Cairns
café scene - all on her own. Starting a few years ago with a tiny stall at
Rusty’s Markets, Annee’s Vietnamese coffee was a hard sell to begin
with. But as more people tried it, Annee’s business grew and evolved.
She now has queues lining up to sample her delicious array of drinks
and treats at a shop just 100 metres or so from that very first stall.
Her passion for her business and belief in her products is inspiring.