Page 7 - Tropic Magazine Issue 29

EDITOR’S LETTER

We acknowledge the Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji and Yirrganydji as the Traditional Owners
of the area we today know as Cairns, where Tropic magazine is created. We pay our respects
to the elders past, present and emerging and recognise their rich and evolving culture and
continuing connection to the land.

At the risk of revealing the era of That’s not to mention the music festivals, the longest lunches,
my youth, I have a song constantly the carnivals, art exhibitions, theatre and the horse racing
playing in my head. Those of a similar calendar. I’m not saying there are no longer restrictions or
vintage may know it by the opening challenges, but it certainly feels like we’re being handed the key,
call-to-arms lyrics, ‘PARTY PEOPLE!’ as though the region is actually celebrating this century’s 21st
(Yes, it requires upper case lettering.) birthday. Hang on – that’s evoking memories of a hip-hop loving
The iconic baseline that comes next, 21-year-old party girl a couple of decades or so ago.
however, is impossible to translate on Whoomp there it is.
paper. Perhaps I’ll have to keep you guessing for now.
The reason that song has become an ear worm for me is because Renee Cluff
I’m suddenly conscious that parties and big events are back!
I even counted myself lucky to rock the Nutbush at the Advance
Cairns 20th anniversary gala recently, happily shrugging off the
line dance’s somewhat daggy reputation and marathon length.
If you look at the social calendar ahead, there’s so much more Team Tropic has been hard at work, delivering
to look forward to, signalling an end to the year of COVID independent, free and local news. Since January,
cancellations. And not just for the party people. our website has had more than a quarter of a
The annual events we’ve all come to know and love are back, from million unique page views and our Facebook page
the Craft Beer Festival (see page 46) to Ecofiesta (page 19). is reaching an average half a million people a
The Cooktown Discovery Festival has metamorphosed into a month. The five most read stories on Tropic Now
massive, ten day and night extravaganza (page 40) and sporting might surprise you.
events are back to relative normality.
Venues such as the Cairns Performing Arts Centre and the Tanks 1. An investigation into the
Arts Centre are busy again, with big names including Ian Moss meteorological conditions behind
(page 52), Ben Lee, Human Nature, a rescheduled Tones And I the region’s vivid orange sunset
and the witty ones of the Melbourne Comedy Festival all coming 2. Cairns woman recounts hair-raising flight
to Cairns ahead of the winter months. as Tropical Cyclone Niran forms offshore

3. Heavy rainfall forecast
Our go-to toast topper 4. Cairns rental vacancies hit
unprecedented lows

5. The Cardwell croc that ate a
woman’s fishing catch
The most popular post on our Facebook page
involved the rescue of a lace monitor who’d
wandered into a shopping centre. The wildlife
Leah Renee Annabel carer was halfway through a burger when the
Tahini and honey Vegemite and Ricotta and honey reptile caught his attention. The video received
avocado on raisin toast
more than 516,000 views. Incredible.

Since January 1

254,906 660,000
Cat Alana Melissa UNIQUE PAGE VIEWS VIEWS OF TOP 5 POSTS
Lemon butter Any breaky dish Butter, parsley,
with poached eggs garlic … y’know Tropic Now website Tropic Now Facebook page
garlic bread