Page 34 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - October 2020

32 PATY STATE/TERRITORY WINNERS “Above all, choose a sport or exercise that you enjoy and makes you happy, then it’s never a chore to work out.” FROM PAGE 31 old, and I love my career in pharmacy. So, to be recognised and rewarded for my efforts was just so lovely. The PATY awards in Brisbane were amazing. I loved every moment of it. I met the most inspiring and incredible state/ territory winners and found a friend in all of them. Being in the same venue with lots of other likeminded pharmacy people was remarkable. My advice to the next state and territory winners: be yourself. You’ve been chosen to be recognised for your love and knowledge of the job you do so well. Embrace it! Emilie Dalwood, South Australia – TerryWhite Chemmart Woodcroft Plaza What are your top tips for maintaining energy levels and staying on top of hydration when increasing exercise or participating in sports events such as fun runs? Take it slow if you’re only just getting back into sports and exercise, and build your way up to where you want to be. Take care of your body by stretching your muscles – no matter how small the amount of exercise that you’re doing – and use the time to think about your breathing, so it becomes a whole body and mind exercise. There’s a multitude of magnesium supplements and products available now to help with the sore muscles, either as supplements, rubs, or to add to the bath for a nice soak. A good vitamin B complex helps with energy; use Hydralyte Sports drink, which is lower in sugar than typical sport drinks; and don’t forget your sunscreen now that the sun is out again. Above all, choose a sport or exercise that you enjoy and makes you happy, then it’s never a chore to work out. What have been your most memorable experiences as this year’s PATY state/territory winner? What’s your advice to future PATY state/ territory winners? Being the SA state winner has been such an amazing experience, with the biggest highlight being my time with the other finalists in Brisbane, at the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference. There have been many times when I’ve drawn on what I learned from the PATY workshops, the conference and my fellow finalists to help me through the tough times we’ve experienced this year. I’m so glad we’ve all stayed in touch during all of this, too. My advice to future PATY winners is just to enjoy the ride. Use this as a chance to reach out and meet new people and make new contacts, but do what’s right for you. My PATY experience as a part-time retail manager and mum of three girls was probably different to that of others who work different hours and positions, but I’m positive we’ve all come out of this with new knowledge and confidence as a result. I’ll be forever grateful to the Pharmacy Guild for creating such a great award to acknowledge fantastic pharmacy assistants and for giving me such an amazing experience over the past 12 months. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • OCT 2020