2013 - year in review 1
January
Two resued by grandad
Sarah Jane Stephen and Francis Mye rescued their grandfather Pau Stephen, by diving into rough seas. Pau was trapped beneath an overturned dinghy with his legs caught in a rope. Their dinghy had capsized on the way to a funeral on Ugar after leaving Erub.
Flu outbreak on Saibai Flu outbreak on Saibai Island.
February April
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Hall project sets $50,000 target
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Dauan pontoon grounds ferry
Residents of Dauan a
Dave Jacka’s hicstoric flight into the Cape
Quadriplegia Dave Jacka flys solo to the Cape in his attempt to be the first quadriplegia to fly solo around Australia, which h eventually successfully completed.
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Community Cabinet meets on Thursday Is.
Premier Campbell Newman sat with the eighth Community Cabinet on Thursday Island, where health issues were discussed with TSC and
Mabo Day. Bonita Mabo, widow of the Late Eddie Mabo, appeals to Torres Strait Islanders to resolve their land rights issues at a speech in Townsville, marking the 21 Dujon Niue climbs anniversary of the historic Mabo case Mt Augustus, victory in the High Court. Torres Strait’s Entsch promises highest peak, wit 17 youths from St probe into CASA Pauls. M P Wa r r e n E n t s c h
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Big crowds took part in Anzac Day celebrations across the Torres Strait and NPA.
A 10-year dream for Peddell’s Torres Magic
Mrs Mabo: Solve Land Rights issues
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Anzac Day popular
Peddells 120-seat catamaran Torres Magic makes her maiden voyage to the NPA, realising a 10-year goal for the company.
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reputation where tens of thousands of flights were conducted without a single passenger harmed in any way. Barrier Aviation Managing Director David Kilin said: “CASA’s draconian approach has been a personal vendetta against me.”
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‘Dental Drover’ still idle
Queensland Health’s Dental Drover still remained idle as the department struggled to find a dentist to fill the position.
ANZAC Day on T.I.
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Argun Warriors victory.
Saibai mother dies from TB
A 20-year-old Torres Strait Islander mother on SaIbai died from a drug
resistant strain of tuberculosis, becoming the first Australian to succumb to this strain of the disease. The woman frequently travelled to PNG under the treaty agreement. TSIRC Councillor for Siabai Ron Enosa said the PNG government were not taking care of their 13 Torres Strait Treaty villages.
TRIRC, and the premier promised $2.4million on new roads.
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Dick Smith drops into Horn
World-famous aviator and prominent businesman Dick Smith drops in at Horn Island Airport on his way to Daru in Western Province.
launches a tirade in the House of Representatives, Canberra about CASA’s treatment of Barrier Air, promising a full inquiry if the LNP win the federal election September 14.
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Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke indicated he could make a world heritage nomination for parts
Toll makes first delivery to T.I.
Transport Group Toll make their first delivery to Thursday Island.
of far north Queensland’s Cape York before the federal election in September. However he said it would be up to traditional owners to decide which parts of the Cape, if any, would be put up for heritage
Cape York World Heritage listing?
CASA cancel Barrier Aviation operator’s certificate, despite the company having a clean, 20-year
month without a ferry after the pontoon was damaged by cyclones in January, TSIRC estimate it will be repaired by June.
IBIS opens a new store on Horn Island.
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CASA cancel Barrier’s Operator’s Certificate
IBIS on Horn Is.
Jan 28. Jesse the Animal visits his mum on TI.
region since the late 1800s had extinguished native title over marine resources. If the appeal is successful, the decision won’t lock out nonIndigenous fishermen, but will give Torres Strait islanders a greater say on commercial fishing in their waters.
Sgt Flegg received a suspended, twoyear demotion after the state coroner recommend disciplinary action be taken for what he described as a “totally avoidable tragedy”. Queensland Coroner Michael Barnes said it was “clear misconduct.”
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On a visit back to Thursday Island to visit family he told readers to “Always listen to your mum.”
Jesse: Always listen to your Mum
Jesse Williams ’s star continued to rise with second college championship and imminent multi-million dollar NFL contract.
Torres Strait Islanders returned to the High Court, fighting to secure commercial fishing rights under native title law and instigated a legal fight with the federal government to reinstate Native Title sea rights in the Torres Strait. The federal government argued the regulation of fisheries in the
Q u e e n s l a n d ’s C r i m e a n d Misconduct Commission won an appeal to review disciplinary action against the police officer Sergeant Warren Flegg who botched the Malu Sara rescue operation. Five people, including two immigration officials, drowned in 2005 when the immigration patrol boat, the Malu Sara, sank in the Torres Strait.
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May
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Fishing rights return to court
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Page 10 Torres News
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CMC wins Malu Sara disciplinary review
Parish Hall Restoration Committee picks up steam with setting the goal of raising $50,000
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of the Australian share of the fishery. “Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal stakeholders were hoping for a result closer to 70 per cent of the fishery,” Mr Elu said.
they beat the Newcastle Yowies 28-24 at Davies Park in Brisbane.
Jobs slashed: Drover sits idle
Tiga Nona inspects Torres Strait names at Canberra War Memorial during Easter.
Disappointment on licences: TSRA
TSRA expressed disappointment at the outcome of the voluntary buyout of licences from the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery. TSRA Chairperson Joseph Elu said the share of the fishery allocated to the traditional inhabitant sector had increased by a little over two per cent to a total of approximately 56 per cent
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June
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While 35 positions from the Torres Strait Torres Strait - Northern Peninsula Hospital and Health Service were slashed Torres Strait Islander fishers go to the from the budget, and local staff High Court. were shown the door, a 10-tonne Warriors take dental van, the ‘Dental Drover’ All Blacks title costing more than $780,000, sat Argun Warriors earned the idle on Thursday Island, and was title of the best All Blacks not expected to be operational for rugby league side in Australia when another three months.
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March
Barrier Aviation grounded by CASA
Barrier Aviation lawyer said the company will survive an extended closure after it was grounded by CASA for five days on December 23 2012, costing the airline $28,000 per day. CASA suspension of Barrier Aviation could last 95 days or as long as 137 days due to the vagaries of legal system under which CASA operates.
Jan 1. Fireworks on Front Beach
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Compiled: AARON SMITH. Designed: MARK BOUSEN
Five take part in Straight Talk forum
Five Torres Strait women, Lillian Jane Shibasaki from Thursday Island, Hilda Mosby from Yorke Island, Flora Warrior from Mabuiag Island, Petrine Saunders from Moa and Phoebe Pilot from
Torres Shire Mayor Pedro Stephen, Main Roads Minister Craig Emerson, Premier Newman, Member for Cook David Kempton and TSIRC Mayor Fred Gela at a press conference.
Erub, all attended Oxfam Australia’s fourth Straight Talk National Summit, where 65 Indigenous women of all ages, backgrounds and locations have converged in Canberra
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Cane toads land
Cane Toads officially on Thursday Island, as local Greg Hope captures several in his backyard. Wasie Tardent celebrates her 70th birthday with a huge community function.