Page 56 - Tropic Magazine Issue 17

TROPIC • OPINION

For Cairns to continue to grow and prosper, we need to keep a
positive mindset. There are plenty of positive news stories in
Shaun Cairns at the moment. Recent employment figures show strong
Donaldson employment growth with unemployment well below the state
Director average. ABS business statistics released this week show growth
Halpin Partners away from traditionally strong sectors such as tourism and

government with Professional, Scientific and Technical Services and
Positive mindset Transport, Postal and Warehousing showing solid growth. On the
Tablelands, our agriculture industry continues to go from strength
to strength with the region now the largest producer of avocados in
You don’t need to look too hard in Cairns at the moment to the country.
hear some bad news. Recently we’ve seen a string of CBD This is on top of the big stories we are all aware of such as the
restaurants and cafes close. This comes on the back of a weather investment by Crystalbrook Collection in new hotels, the port
interrupted Christmas period that saw tourism numbers down dredging project, the Convention Centre upgrade and various road
on expectations, followed by a below average Chinese new year projects. With a Federal election around the corner I’m sure we can
period. Anyone who has been out and about in town recently look forward to some more good news stories through increased
knows it’s quiet. government spending and support.
There’s no doubt many business owners are doing it tough in Cairns is a city that has grown on the back of a community
Cairns at the moment, particularly in hospitality and retail. with a positive attitude getting stuck in and making it happen.
These business (and people) need our support. This is not a As we move past the wet season, let’s hope we can all employ this
Cairns issue, by the way. These same difficulties are being positive attitude to make 2019 a great year for our city.
felt all around the country with even Melbourne’s famous
Chapel St not immune. MORE: halpinpartners.com.au

Megan
Thomas
Owner
PhyxMe Physiotherapy

Milestone birthdays

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people
who have the most, live the longest. Just about every day in the It’s not about being judged on what you are like when you reach
PhyxMe clinic, I see people of all ages injure themselves as a it. But for some reason society gives us the impression that is it. I
result of the stress that a milestone birthday (usually over 40) can beg you to stop for your next milestone birthday and reflect on the
cause. years that got you there. The teenage tribulations, the uni years or
So many of my patients injure themselves in the struggle to apprenticeships, all those ‘break your heart relationships’ until you
achieve fitness goals prior to the big 40, 50, or 60 birthday find ‘the one’, the houses, the pets, the children, the separations and
celebrations. Luckily by the age of 70 they finally seem grateful to divorces, the holidays, the jobs… stop to think about what you have
be there and stop trying to be younger than they are. done and why you are doing it all… and for goodness sake
These people seem to be fine mentally with the age of 39, 49 or celebrate that you DID DO IT ALL.
59, however once the earth does one more trip around that sun, Don’t spend half the 50th year of your life killing yourself to look
they seem to feel the need to change and “be a better version” of your best, when what you are at 40, 50 or 60 is exactly that - what
themselves. Don’t get me wrong... I am all for you are. You are already the best version of yourself that you have
bettering ourselves and staying as active and youthful as we can. ever been.
But I believe this should be for the long-term and not just in the So here’s to a happy milestone and remember: take time to reflect,
few months leading up to a big birthday. celebrate and be HAPPY! And if you do injure yourself in your
It’s not only the injuries associated with this rushed bettering birthday preparations, come to see me so I can at least Phyx you
behavior, it’s the absolute misery these people put themselves before the big day.
and their loved ones through during this momentous year.
It’s a milestone for a reason. That’s because you made it there! MORE: phyxme.com.au

56 • Tropic • Issue 17