|PIC1|Speaking from Tweed Heads on the north coast of New South Wales, he has noticed for example that is now easier to secure a car park in the major shopping centres. This he says is of greater convenience when he undertakes his regular daily business transactions.
The traffic on the freeway to Brisbane from Tweed Heads is noticeably lighter, too, particularly around peak hour travelling in either direction. On one recent trip taking a friend to a Brisbane hospital, he noticed he arrived forty minutes earlier than previous similar journeys, twelve months ago.
Another observation he has made is that there are more push bikes on the roads around Tweed Heads; but there are also greater numbers of shopping trolleys left around the suburban streets within walking distance to the shopping centre!
As a member of the Tweed Heads Chamber of Commerce, M V Tronson finds himself speaking to wide range of business people who reveal that the downturn has affected their commerce in that customers are now more cautious, and therefore more selective in what they purchase.
One noticeable change has been fewer flights between Sydney and the Gold Coast compared with the timetables of twelve months ago; as, steadily, flights have been combined to avoid half-empty planes.
"We can see the planes in the distance coming in and out from were we live, and we have certainly noticed fewer flights every evening," M V Tronson noted.
As a microcosm of the community, Mark Tronson's weekly bible study group of seven adults is an indication of employment patterns.
"Of the five who are not already retired, two are unemployed, one is dependent on the building industry, and two are faith missionaries," M V Tronson observed. "In addition, one of the adult children of these families, a recent university graduate, is also unable to find work,"
The charities which function in the Tweed Heads area, like those around the nation, are also experiencing the pinch. M V Tronson noted that each March, Well-Being Australia has its annual 'running costs' appeal through its support network and this year the funding was way down.
"The Biblical announcement is to love God and to deal justly, and it is in this arena that the Christian churches and their welfare agencies continue in their provision with less, and this is paralleled by the Christian community in the Tweed," M V Tronson reported.
On the other hand, in his own ministry, and mirrored within other ministers, M V Tronson has found there is a far greater openness in discussing the Lord. He suspects that this illustrates that in economic difficulties, people may feel more vulnerable and are therefore more willing to raise their spiritual fears than in times of prosperity.