During the federal election campaign for the Queensland seat of Herbert, won by the ALP , an economist standing as a Katter Party candidate said Magnetic Island, going on the average age of an island resident, more than 50, was an oldies hotpot area with lots of business opportunities to cater for this demographic .
Cyclops, more than two decades older than the average islander, did not want to rain on the economist's bottom line by pointing out that attempts to cash in on these spritely islanders who take part in power walking, yoga , Tai Chi , boot camp , attend University of the Third Age , snorkel and just love needlework , to use a Wall Street Journal term , had come a gutsa.
Take the proposal to turn jungle country, left to the Catholic Church and known as the Pope's Land , into a retirement village, which raised strong opposition and did not eventuate . It was pointed out that part of the bush flooded during monsoonal rain and water ran for months . Other reasons why the islanders did not want the bush chopped down included the fact that it is occupied by Curlews, Coucals , visiting Torres Strait Pigeons , grunting Koalas , Spangled Drongos, snakes , lizards.
Take the proposal to turn jungle country, left to the Catholic Church and known as the Pope's Land , into a retirement village, which raised strong opposition and did not eventuate . It was pointed out that part of the bush flooded during monsoonal rain and water ran for months . Other reasons why the islanders did not want the bush chopped down included the fact that it is occupied by Curlews, Coucals , visiting Torres Strait Pigeons , grunting Koalas , Spangled Drongos, snakes , lizards.
Another well set up tourist facility announced it intended converting its beaut waterfront resort into a retirement village , but abandoned plans because of the lack of interest .
Imagine the shock when that famous old girl, New York's Statue of Liberty , has just taken up residence on Magnetic Island and is offering to help overcome the obesity problem in Queensland . A bit tottery on her gams after all those years out there in the open on Ellis Island , she was snapped, right , outside the Magnetic Island Pharmacy, Nelly Bay, holding in her free left hand what looked like a Manhattan cocktail .
In an exclusive interview with little Darwin , the statue, about to slip into a mini skirt to expose her knobbly knees to glorious Aussie sun , said she was sick and tired of wearing that unfashionable robe ; she had also found it painful holding up that heavy liberty torch in the extreme Big Apple weather , which had resulted in arthritis . "I'm a bit rusty in the knee joints and hips , as well , love , " she told this blogger, himself on new medication .
To prove her point , from her private album , the statue provided this 1876 photograph, below, of the massive torch component and her right hand before the statue was completely assembled .
