04 NEWS
THURSDAY 6 APRIL 2023 TORRES NEWS
Celebrating female artists and cultural practitioners The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) celebrated female artists and cultural practitioners with a special women’s gathering on International Women’s Day last month. The event was facilitated by the TSRA’s Culture Arts and Heritage program at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. It united women across the Kaiwalagal region, honouring their contributions to the Torres Strait’s thriving arts sector. TSRA Acting Chairperson Horace Baira said it was important to acknowledge the intrinsic value Torres Strait women offered to sustainability and prosperity in the region. “Our women not only share cultural knowledge through art, but their artistic practices also support the preservation of our distinct languages and dialects,” Mr Baira said. “It is through their perseverance, strength and wisdom that we see female empowerment across our communities.”
TSRA Chief Executive Officer Vonda Malone joined the celebrations and addressed the gathering. “We are proud to help support our female artists, cultural practitioners and custodians, and invest in their career development,” Ms Malone said. “Art offers our women an opportunity to attain economic independence in a sector that has been heavily male dominated. “Our female artists have always been actively producing amazing art, across a range of mediums. “While equality is the goal, equity is the means to achieve it.” The gathering attracted more than 50 girls and women who enjoyed networking, sharing stories, and participating in workshops hosted by artists and cultural practitioners including Nancy Nona, Aunty Rose Tomsana, Margaret Gabey, Elma Kris and Flora Warria.
Pic supplied.
Community breakfast promotes ADF career pathways STORY AND PICS BY VELMA GARA
Phillip Bowie & Fran Visini (Mentors at NIDP Cairns). Pic supplied.
The Australian Defence Force hosted an Indigenous Elders and Community Breakfast to inspire the local Townsville community about careers in the ADF late last month. Specialist Recruiter Warrant Officer Class Two Dion Eivers used the event to showcase opportunities within the Defence Force. “We’d like to build positive relationships with community members who directly liaise with the indigenous population,” WO Eivers said. Defence personnel mingled with guests to promote the benefits of a career in Army, Navy or RAAF.
They said the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) – a six-month course for Indigenous people who had an interest in employment in Defence – was run twice a year by experienced and passionate Navy personnel such as former navy members Phillip Bowie and Fran Visini, who were based in Cairns. “We’re like support people or mentors for the young ones,” Mr Bowie said. They talked to the breakfast about their careers and the NIDP. “There are recruits from all over Australia, we help them settle in with transition to Defence life,” Mrs Visini said.
Healthy Choices 4
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MEANWHILE RAAF Townsville will be hosting an Air Force Indigenous Youth Program (IYP) in September later this year. The three days IYP is a residential placement that provides young Indigenous men and women with exposure to various skills, trade and lifestyle experiences in the Royal Australian Air Force. Closing date for applications is in early August 2023.
For more information: Recruiting – deivers@dfr.com.au NIDP – SRT-I-Cairns@dfr.com.au IYP – nqld.workexperience@ defence.gov.au
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Rockmelons Kg
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Offer valid from Thursday 6th April until Wednesday 3rd May 2023.
*Pictures shown are for illustration purpose only. Actual product may vary due to product enhancement.
