Torres News_Edition 03_07 October 2021

Torres News Thursday, October 7, 2021

News and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.

EDITORIAL  E: editor@torres.news

 Edition 1

 $2 incl. GST

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The beauty of home grown food

Philemonae Bertie Kris enjoys Hans Ahwang’s home grown bananas.

Pic by Hans Ahwang.

Chronic food insecurity will be the focus of virtual meeting between Far North Queensland mayors, health, housing, government, non-government and commercial interests this week.

It’s becoming a chronic problem in

the Torres Strait, as many of us have already experienced, but there is hope with new initiatives on the horizon and people like Hans Ahwang – who is already growing his own food – here to inspire us.

See full stories P4 

Healing reports launched The importance of restoring First Nations’ cultural practices, ceremonies and protocols in communities is outlined in three healing reports launched on Kerriri, Dauan, and Saibai last week.

The community-focused solutions within the reports were developed and led by the three communities in partnership with Mura

Kosker Sorority and The Healing Foundation.

The Healing Foundation CEO Fiona Cornforth said publication of the reports followed a series of healing forums held in 2020.

“Torres Strait Island communities have led their own healing by addressing the trauma, distress, and long-term impacts caused by colonisation,” she said.

“Kerriri, Dauan, and Saibai communities partnered with The Healing Foundation and Mura Kosker Sorority to co-design a roadmap to healing with priority solutions identified and developed by and for community members.

“These reports hold the evidence for how important restoring cultural practices, ceremonies, and protocols are

to healing for First Nations communities.

“They show that communities know and understand best what practical solutions will work, and how important it is that solutions are led by local people and families.”

The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners

with communities to heal trauma caused by the widespread and deliberate disruption of populations, cultures and languages.

Mura Kosker Sorority CEO Alieta Twist said the end results were a product of strong leadership.

“The reports are an example of self-determination in action in First Nations communities,” she said.

“Strong leadership has resulted in communityfocused solutions that are already having an impact and contributing to healing for individuals, families, and communities.”

Mura Kosker Sorority President Regina Turner said the reports were ‘live’ documents.

Continued P3 

02 NEWS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021 TORRES NEWS

Landmark trial eradicates disease-spreading mossie pests Most of the inhabited islands in the Torres Strait have experienced dengue outbreaks transmitted by mosquito Aedes aegypti since at least the 1890s, but in a first for the Southern Hemisphere researchers have found a bacteria that can successfully sterilise and eradicate the invasive, disease-carrying pest.

Aedes aegypti mosquito was responsible for spreading dengue, yellow fever and Zika but this new breakthrough could support the suppression and potential eradication of Aedes aegypti worldwide.

Techniques developed

through the trial may also be used to remove the virus-transmitting Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, that has also established in the Torres Strait.

A landmark trial involved releasing three million male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Northern Queensland, sterilised with bacteria called Wolbachia, across three trial sites over a 20-week period during the summer of 2018.

Scientists returned the following year and found one of the trial sites, Mourilyan in Queensland, was almost devoid of mosquitoes.

The trial was an international collaboration

between Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, University of Queensland (UQ), Verily Life Sciences, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and James Cook University (JCU).

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said more than 40 per cent of humans

suffered from mosquitospread diseases.

“So it is an opportunity for Australia to develop environmentally-friendly mosquito control tools to tackle current and future mosquito incursions,” he said.

JCU Adjunct Professor

Scott Ritchie said the Wolbachia trial was a successful international collaboration which saw contemporary science working together with cutting-edge technology, to help eliminate the denguecarrying Aedes aegypti mosquito.

“It was a hugely successful project,” he said.

“We reared the three million male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes needed for the trial in the insectary at James Cook University in Cairns.”

Verily Product Manager, Nigel Snoad, said community engagement was also

essential to success of the project.

“It was a huge achievement by the joint team to setup and operate the mosquito rearing, sorting and release systems, and develop strong community engagement and support,” he said.

“We were proud of the work we were able to do in collaboration with the CSIRO, James Cook University and the local community.

“The ongoing suppression after releases stopped is an important result, indicating that sustained impact is feasible for this disease vector.”

More vax clinics on Islands this week Additional outreach vaccination clinics will visit communities across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area this week, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says.

Minister D’Ath encouraged residents to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated when the clinics were in their community.

“This week, our fantastic health staff have once again travelled to the Torres and Cape to set up outreach vaccination clinics across more than a dozen locations throughout the week, including Bamaga, Mabuiag Island, New Mapoon, Injinoo, Umagico and Thursday Island,” she said.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the targeted community outreach vaccination clinics would continue.

“From this week outreach vaccination clinics

In our next issue Torres News talks to the ABC’s Black Comedy star Elizabeth Wymarra about living under COVID lockdowns in Sydney.

will revisit a number of communities, including Warraber, Iama, Moa and Poruma Islands,” she said.

“This is about maximising coverage rates across the Torres and Cape region, and I want to encourage all eligible people to come forward for vaccination.

“Everyone aged 12 years and over is eligible to be vaccinated, including those who are pregnant, and all outreach clinics will accept walk-ins.

“You have another opportunity to get vaccinated to protect yourself, your family, and your community – so please come forward.”

A l l To r r e s S t r a i t , Cape York and Northern Peninsula Area residents can check the ongoing vaccination rollout schedule on the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s website.

Pic thanks to ABC.

Correction In our last issue (Thursday, September 30, 2021, #2) on page 4 we covered the community tombstone openings. Please note we incorrectly spelt Kala Kawaw Ya. Please accept our apologies to families for our mistake.

NEWS 03

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021

Healing reports launched  Continued from P1 “With the support and dedication of the National Healing Foundation and Mura Kosker, our community has started our healing process by coming together to speak about

outlining issues that are affecting us all,” Mura Kosker Sorority President Regina Turner said.

“We have set priority actions for us to achieve to work towards a healed community.

“We understand the healing report is a

live document and can be reviewed, changed and updated.

“It is up to us as community to drive this document and seek support from relevant stakeholders.”

She said it was about their future.

“This is for our children and their children’s children,” she said. “In 5-10 years time I would like to see more employment opportunities, infrastructure, leadership enrichment programs engaging our youth and access to essential services.”

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Mrs Fujii’s work remembered

BY SYLVIA TABUA Torres Strait Aged Care Association held a Blessing for their boardroom, named in honour of the late Aunty Romina Fujii, last month.

The gathering was small but successful, TSACA President Carol Thompson said.

“It was a good crowd of families and friends, with MC Bill Shibasaki, and Father Tom Stephen blessed the office as well as the boardroom,” she said.

She said the room was named in honour of Romina because of all the work the former-President did in aged care.

“Romina was always passionate about the work that she did in aged

ABOVE: Inside and outside ceremony.

RIGHT: Bill Shabisaki, Reverend Stephen and TSRA CEO Leilani Binjuda.

care,” Ms Thompson said.

“I would like to also acknowledge the Fujii family for the support given to her during her community work.”

She said they were located in the old Seekee building.

“We have been there for a long time now,” she said.

“Torres Strait Aged Care Association purchased the building without any government support, so that was a plus for us.

“We have a Commonwealth Home Support Program, we have a social group support centre that operates in the building, with an office and the board room.

“We are open from Tuesdays to Fridays until the end of the year, and we will start back to Mondays in 2022.”

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TN0002 28x2 V3 Torres News News and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.

EDITORIAL EDITOR – DIAT ALFERINK E editor@torres.news SUB-EDITOR – CHRISTINE HOWES M 0419 656 277 E chowes@hotkey.net.au

EDITORIAL DEADLINES General copy (pics, stories, letters), Regular columns and Sports editorial NOON MONDAYS

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021 TORRES NEWS

Far North reps gather to grow healthy and secure food supply

Mayors, health and housing leaders, government agencies, NGOs and commercial enterprises met online to discuss chronic food insecurity in Queensland’s remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities this week.

The Gather + Grow “roundtables” were to look at action-based solutions to food insecurity in the Torres Strait Islands, Lower Gulf and Far North Queensland using Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s (HWQld’s) Gather + Grow program, aimed at addressing gaps in healthy food availability, accessibility and utilisation.

Partnerships with

“The quality of fruit and vegetables is poor by the time they reach the shelves of our local store. Sometimes when I cut the vegetables, they are rotten inside. The food prices are extremely high. Healthier variety of fruit and vegetables are very limited, even bananas must be eaten quickly or they will ripen too early. ” THURSDAY ISLAND RESIDENT Mura Kosker Sorority, Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Gidgee Healing and CEQ should see each of these community controlled organisations supported to ‘gather and grow’ locally-led strategies and actions.

Mura Kosker Sorority CEO Aletia Twist said food insecurity in the Torres Strait had manifested into poor health and increased chronic disease related illness.

“A number of factors contribute to this including food access, cost, availability and use,” she said.

“A partnership between Mura Kosker Sorority and HWQld to address food security in the Torres Strait makes perfect sense.

“Mura Kosker Sorority is able to provide programs that can improve participants’ food security through solid community engagement, community education

and promotion, advocacy and supporting environmental and policy change.”

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive Dr Robyn Littlewood said shortages of affordable vegetables, fruit and fresh produce were a daily reality for many living in the state’s remote far north.

“Every Queenslander deserves the right to lead a healthy lifestyle yet people are really struggling to do this under the current conditions,”

Dr Littlewood said.

“At its heart, food insecurity is a complex and dynamic issue.

“Freight, housing, justice, education and employment all play a big part so we need to address all of this and do it in a linked up way together.”

The meetings were a response to the Parliamentary Report on Food Pricing and Food Security in Remote Indigenous Communities (2020) and its 16 recommendations to improve food security in affected Australian communities.

The Torres News hopes to have more about the outcomes of the roundtable meetings in our next issue!

Ailan kai kai gardens provide good feeling, free food and connection to Elders - Hans Ahwang

BOOKINGS & DESIGN – SHARON GALLERY M 0419 828 639 E shaztorresnews@gmail.com

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CIRCULATION COVERAGE AREA – Covering news and events of the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Area including: Badu, Bamaga, Boigu, Dauan, Erub, Horn Island (Ngurupai), Iama, Injinoo, Kirriri, Mabuaig, Masig, Mer, Moa - Kubin (Arkai) and St Pauls (Wug), Muralag, New Mapoon, Poruma, Saibai, Seisia, Thursday Island (Waiben) - TRAWQ and Port Kennedy, Ugar, Umagico, Warraber and everywhere in between.

PUBLISHED – weekly every Thursday.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We ackowledge the Traditional Owners of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula regions.

We pay our sincere respects to the Elders and the Peoples of the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Area, across whose traditional lands and seas we report.

This newspaper is dedicated to recognising, preserving and promoting the traditional cultures and customs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of these regions.

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LEFT: Hans Ahwang. RIGHT: Eunice Hosea.

Eating from my own kai kai garden is a good feeling and it is FREE, avid gardener Hans Ahwang from Mua Island (St Paul’s) says.

“The basics is all you need to supplement with fresh seafood or meat,” he said.

“Cassava, taro, banana, sweet potato, pawpaw, passionfruit, lemon grass, sugar cane, chili, pineapple, herbs and so on…”

He said it was just like the stories his Elders would tell him about back in their days.

“It was very hard as the garden would be far away from the village, but they would be working together with other families and sharing,” he said.

“I first got into Ailan kai kai at a very young age, learning from my Elders how and when to plant, and when to harvest.

“Before the pandemic I always thought, ‘one day our boats will stop running and shops will close’.

“I’ve seen with my own eyes everyone waiting for the cargo to unload goods, relying on the local shop for basic fruit and vegies, when we can grow our own garden food and just buy the basics.”

He said the reactions, especially from Elders, had inspired him to want to grow more.

“The compliments I get from my community, or posting on social media, when I share my harvest with my Elders and families here make me want to plant and prep

Pics by Hans Ahwang. more garden beds,” he said.

“I don’t expect anything back from anyone, I love what I do and I’m always willing to help out with cuttings or ideas.

“A few of my Elders get emotional and tell me I’m a blessing to them and always thinking of them.

“What matters most is seeing their smiles and how excited they are when I rock up on their doorstep.

“One day I hope I get to work with all the young people and elders within our region, not only in my community, but helping families with their basic traditional and contemporary styles of gardening, and learning from Elders their very own traditional ways.”

NEWS 05

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021

Change to adoption laws ‘momentus’ - Commissioner C’Zarke Maza

Ivy Bon, Ivy Trevallion and C’Zarke Maza talking at a recent meeting in Waiben. Pics by Liberty SeeKee “There are momentous steps that have been happening,” he said.

“We had the legislation passed by the Queensland Government in September of 2020 and we now have offices in Cairns and Thursday Island.

“It is world-first legislation that uses Island language in the words, which makes it particularly unique.

“Fundamentally what it does, is makes you me lore into white law.

“Part of the role of the legislation is to provide a legal pathway for our processes, because prior to that there was many legal barriers faced by families just trying to live their day to day life.

“If you have culturally adopted a child, you know the issues that occur when you’re trying to get those identity documents.

“But this is legal recognition, and my role as Commissioner is to provide that formal legal recognition, which is by way of a Cultural Recognition Order (CRO).

“Then that CRO can be taken to Births, Deaths and Marriages where a brand new birth certificate can issued.”

Long-time campaigner for the change, Mrs Ivy Trevallion said they had fought for 22 years for this legal recognition.

“Some of mepla members be go all be leave mepla [passed

The importance of culture underpinning Torres Strait Islander family structures was officially recognised with the passing of the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020 in September 2020.

It means, for the first time in world history, a new birth certificate can be issued with the name of a Torres Strait Islander’s cultural parents, inaugural Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) C’Zarke Maza told JEN ENOSA at TSIMA radio earlier this month. away],” she said.

“A group that was endorsed in the 1990s and over the years, right up until 1999, at a national conference, continued to lobby the State Government for legal recognition of them cultural practices blor yumpla.

“So for the past 22 years, that’s what the working party has been doing and every year they would come and present at a national conference and give an update.

“When the late Chair blor melpa, may his soul rest in peace, handed over the responsibility to mepla for myself to take on that role as Chairperson, we had to continue to lobby, in discussion with everybody with the department at the time.”

She said the legislation was finally drafted with the help of lawyers.

“E bin drafted up in such a way that it takes into account every little bit of cultural practice blor you me,” she said.

“It’s years and years and years of discussions and coming to terms with how much we’re going to share with the outside world.

“All been review that 1964 legislation for adoption.

“All nor bin sing out all Torres Strait islander people because all sabe Torres Strait Islander practices are totally different.

“So it was no use, sing out all people to have input into that review.”

She said the department itself wouldn’t accept relative adoptions.

“Once upon a time they did, today they don’t,” she said.

She said the application for legal recognition only applied

in Queensland and could be made for any child born in Queensland to one Torres Strait Islander parent.

“You don’t necessarily need to be living in Queensland, you can be anywhere in Australia to have the birth re-registered here in Queensland,” she said.

Commissioner Maza said the Commission was now taking applications.

“Community members seeking a CRO can come forward now but the application process is voluntary,” he said.

“It is, in my mind, a fairly simple application process and I’ve certainly been encouraging people to take advantage of the legal services out there to help you in the process.

“This is the first time in world history where a brand new birth certificate can be issued with the cultural parents on that birth certificate.

“My role as the Commissioner is to take applications and part of my role is considering applications and granting a CRO. “We are here to help, we’re here to listen.

Eso and thank you.”

For more information see www. ocmokk.qld.gov.au or call 1800 571 1020.

Please contact the TSRA office on (07) 4069 0700 or email info@tsra.gov.au for an application form today

06 NEWS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021 TORRES NEWS

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EVERY week we hope to present a page of life in the Torres Straits and NPA, showcasing local photographers from across our region. Send your ‘Ailan View’ of life in the far far north with your name and a 25-word

description to shaztorresnews@gmail.com This week’s pic is of fisherman dinghies anchored at Dadamud Village, Erub (Darnley) Island by Lala Gutchen.

Send us your favourite pic soon!

NEWS 07

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021

‘Queensland Remembers’ grants program opened A new $4 million State Government grants program is making sure Queensland remembers the courage and sacrifice of its dedicated servicemen and women.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the first round of the Queensland Remembers Grants Program was now open for submissions.

Ex-service and not-for-profit organisations that support veterans can apply for grants of

up to $50,000 for minor capital works and grants between $50,000 and $250,000 for major capital works over three annual rounds.

“There are also community grants of up to $50,000 available to ex-service organisations, councils and not-for-profit community organisations to support them to create or restore memorials, avenues of honour, memorial gardens and deliver commemorative activities and

events,” the Premier said.

“Communities are keen to restore or erect monuments, compile honour rolls, construct memorial trails and gardens and undertake history and educational projects.”

To access the Queensland Remembers Grants Program eligibility guidelines and apply for a grant, visit the Queensland Veterans’ Portal at www.qld.gov. au/veterans

Walter Nai in his wheelchair with support worker Ryan Agita and the new disabilities van.

Wheelchair access halts homecoming STORY AND PICS ALF WILSON Quadriplegic Walter Nai dearly wants to be able to get back to Masig Island in the Torres Strait to see family and friends.

But the unavailability of a wheelchair accessible plane between Horn Island and Masig has prevented that, according to Mr Nai. In 2012 Mr Nai became a quadriplegic after a car accident on Masig which confined him to a wheelchair and changed his life dramatically.

“I spent six months in hospital afterwards and because of my disability I am confined to a wheelchair and can’t live on a remote island,” he told the Torres News.

Mr Nai, 33, lives in a unit in the Townsville suburb of Hermit Park, and said he kept in contact with relatives on Masig and St Paul’s on Moa by mobile phone and social media.

“My dad Michael Nai lives on Masig along with lots of other relatives and some are on Moa where my late mum was from,” he said.

Mr Nai’s birthday was on September 22 and he said he would have loved to go back to Masig for a visit.

“I could get from here or Cairns to Horn Island by plane okay,” he said.

“But there are no planes I know of from Horn to Masig which have wheelchair accessibility, so I can’t go and feel very sad.”

Despite that, Mr Nai continues to make the most of his circumstances.

“Recently a new support organisation provided me with a disability van which enables me to get around town,” he said.

“Today I am being

driven to Bunnings by my support worker Ryan Agita.

“This has helped me a lot.”

Mr Nai also gets help from local family and friends and members of the Torres Strait community.

“They take me fishing to the river near where I live and come around and help out where they can,” he said.

“Before the accident I used to go cray fishing off Masig.”

Mr Nai has a keen interest in rugby league and will be following results in the coming Zenadth Kes carnival on TI. And he will be on the sidelines watching all the action at the Bindal Sharks carnival in Townsville, this weekend.

Due to Renovations TSRA will be moving from Torres Haus, 46 Victoria Parade from 8 October 2021 – 1 February 2022 For Enquiries please contact (07) 4069 0700 or reception@tsra.gov.au

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Protect yourself, your family and your community If you missed one or both doses, you can register now for a catch-up clinic.

Protect yourself, your family and your community The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine is available to everyone aged 12 years and over.

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Call (07) 3497 3442 Talk to our staff at your local clinic about the vaccine and how you can be involved.

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08

THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021 TORRES NEWS

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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021

SPORT & CLASSIFIEDS 09 TRADES & SERVICES Bindal Sharks Allblacks offers vaccine incentives ADVERTISING 16 men’s and six women’s rugby league teams will compete at Townsville’s 35th Bindal Sharks Allblacks at the Townsville Sports Reserve this weekend – and spectators who receive a COVID-19 vaccination during the carnival will be given free entry to the grounds.

An estimated 40 to 50 per cent of the players will have Torres Strait descent at what is now the biggest carnival in North Queensland.

The carnival was started at the Townsville Showgrounds in 1986.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and organisers were keen to ensure everyone was as safe as possible.

At a meeting at the Sports Reserve last week, representatives of the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service ((TAIHS) and Townsville University Hospital encouraged the vaccination initiative.

“In partnership with

STORY AND PICS ALF WILSON

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Jenny Pryor Bindal Sharks they will have a promotional tent and vaccination clinic at the venue and, should anyone wish to have it done, they will receive a three day free pass,” Bindal Sharks’ Jenny Pryor said.

Queensland Rugby League Northern Division boss Scott Nosworthy was also at the meeting and supportive of the idea.

The carnival will include a Police versus Indigenous Allstars match, a Master’s clash, and an under-12 game between the Northern Territory and Palm Island.

VIP guest at the carnival will be former champion player Vern Daisy, known as the “Legend”.

KEEPING OUR FAMILIES SAFE & STRONG

Mura Kosker Sorority Inc. is looking to recruit a Family Participation Facilitator with the Family Participation Program. The Family Participation Facilitator (FPF) will provide support to families who are at risk of entering or involved with the Child Protection system. The Facilitator will work with the child or young person and their family, with the goal of securing a safe living environment. The Family Participation Facilitator will provide Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families the opportunity to participate in the planning process for addressing child protection concerns for their family.

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For more information: Call 0419 828 639 or Email shaztorresnews@gmail.com

TOMBSTONES

This position is contracted until 30th September 2022, with the possibility of a further 1 year extension and will be paid according to skills and experience. Salary sacrifice will be available. The incumbent will be subject to a six-month probationary period. There is no housing allocated to this position.

See more details on our Facebook page. Applications will close at 5pm on Friday 15th October 2021. Please contact Aletia Twist via 07 40691663 or 0458 691 663 for an application pack.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 07 4069 1663 OR EMAIL admin@murakosker.org.au

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is a Commonwealth statutory body located on Thursday Island. The TSRA is engaged in a wide range of service delivery functions to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region.

The TSRA Native Title Office is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced, enthusiastic and motivated person to fill the Identified, non-ongoing specified task opportunity up to 30 June 2022:

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TSRA accommodation may be available for this position.

The Dorante, Kudub & Mabo Family would like to say thank you and esso to all the friends and families, most sincerely for the comfort and kindness given through your support, prayers, contributions and donations.

So much love from our nerkep (hearts) goes to all the families and friends that catered on the day.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

John 11vs25 (NKJV)

Torres News Published every ThursdAy Available at various outlets in the Torres Strait & NPA and also at these newsagencies and stores CAIRNS • Bayview Gardens Newsagency – Southside Shopping Village, Woree • Earlville Newsagency – Stockland Cairns Shopping Centre, Earlville • Enmore News – 5 Reservoir Rd, Manoora • Marketplace Newsagency – 2/96 McLaughlan Rd, Bentley Park • NewsXpressCairns Central – Cairns Central Shopping Centre, 126 McLeod Street • Railway Newsagency – 48 McLeod St, Cairns • Raintrees Newsagency – Raintrees Shopping Centre Alfred St, Manunda

INGHAM • Ingham Newsagency – 42 Lannercost Street MACKAY • Moores Newspower – 332 Shakespeare Street MOSSMAN • News Extra Mossman – 35 Front Street TOWNSVILLE • Mooney Street News – 72-86 Mooney St, Gulliver • NewsXpress Garbutt Central – 1/221 Ingham Rd, Garbutt • NewsXpress Sun City – 307 Flinders Mall

The NTO Transition Project Manager is part of the Torres Strait Regional Authority Native Title Office and reports to the Programme Manager.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing and coordinating the transition of native title services to a non-government agency by 1 July 2022. You will monitor and coordinate the implementation of the project deliverables and engage extensively with internal and external stakeholders.

The NTO Transition Project Manager is the primary contact for all queries relating to the NTO transition. The position will manage relationships and networks with various stakeholders, including local communities, PBCs, Traditional Owners, local, State and Commonwealth agencies.

The NTO Transition Project Manager works under limited direction as an integral member of a small dynamic team working closely with all Programmes across the TSRA. *Generous allowances are paid on top of the salary listed above. Allowances include district allowance, leave fare allowance (payable after 12 months of service) and housing subsidy. Superannuation is paid at 15.4%.

Indigenous jobseekers are encouraged to apply for this vacancy. If the job is ‘Identified’, then part or all of the duties impact on Indigenous Australian people and/or involve interaction with Indigenous Australian communities or their representatives.

A merit list may be created.

How to apply: • Visit our website at www.tsra.gov.au and click on the Opportunities to apply through the online application system or, • If you do not have access to the internet please contact the HR Team on (07) 4069 0700. ***APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO APPLY ONLINE*** Closing date for applications is 11:30pm AEST, Tuesday 26 October 2021.

For further information relating to this position please contact Angela Jane on Tel: 07 4069 0700.

Note: • All positions with the TSRA are subject to satisfactory character checks, criminal history checks, health clearance, Australian citizenship requirements, and, if applicable, formal qualifications and a working with children check.

TSRA is committed to ‘Closing the Gap’ and in support of Government policy encourages applications from Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australians. TSRA embraces Workplace Diversity. Enjoy the benefits of a career in the Australian Public Service.

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10 NEWS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021 TORRES NEWS

Bala B radiates flag legacy

BY JILLIAN BOWIE The smooth, soothing voice of Bala B – Bernard Namok Jnr – behind the mic of Darwin’s TEABBA Radio warms the heart and ears of listeners stretching far and wide.

TEABBA broadcasts, including Bala B’s Island Hour featuring songs, dancing, and voices of Torres Strait Islanders, go to 29 remote Indigenous communities, from Kalkarindji, 554 kilometres south of Darwin, to the perfectly placed Croker Island.

Bernard is a descendant of the Argan Tribe of Badu Island through his father’s heritage, with connections to Mua Community and through his mother’s lineage, the Samsep and Seisarem Tribes of Erub.

His inspirational life story begins on Waiben, where he was born and raised.

It was in 2001 during Year 12 at Thursday

Island State High School that Bala B showed an interest in Radio.

He initially wanted to get into Tourism, Customs or Cabin Crew.

But when the opportunity to work with 4MW TSIMA Radio presented itself through the School to Work Program, he thought he would give it a go, unbeknown to his mum.

While his friends were hanging out doing other things in the community after school, Bala B was at the radio station on Douglas Street, co-producing the request line.

Graduation night came with his winning an award for the School to Work Program, to his mum’s surprise.

It was hard for her to believe her shy, quiet-natured, son was involved in the media industry.

Bernard graduated high school on the Friday and started full time work with TSIMA that following Monday,

“Debe idim, Kapu meogi bathaynga, good morning, listeners across our Top End communities through TEABBA networks, live stream, TEABBA App, and on the National Vast 921. Bala B Keeping you company on the Island Hour.”

Bernard Namok Jnr – “Bala B”. leaving no time to explore other career pathways.

He achieved his Diploma of Communications at Batchelor College NT, after travelling back and forth from Cairns to do his block training.

After graduation,

he decided to move to NT, where he still lives and works as a Senior Broadcaster and Senior Trainer today.

In 2010 a lifechanging turn of events left Bernard in a coma for five days at Royal Darwin Hospital.

When he came to,

doctors advised that he would never live a normal life again.

He was 27 years old.

With the help of some intense support from his mum, families and friends, Bala B strongly believes their prayers brought him back, and brought him back well.

His miraculous recovery started with re-learning words, numbers, colours, and names of animals like a child.

He could not walk or feed himself.

Sitting in his wheelchair watching other wheelchair bound patients loading up into a bus left Bernard thinking, “no, this is not me” motivating him to full recovery.

Bala B was back to work at TEABBA Radio within two months.

This second chance at life brought about a new outlook and fresh sense of purpose, inspiring him to produce a documentary on the Torres Strait flag, which his father, Bernard Namok Snr, designed in 1992.

His dad passed a year after the flag was recognised, when Bala B was just 10 years old.

As the eldest son, Bala B acknowledged his role and responsibility to carry on his dad’s name

and legacy.

Bala B wanted to tell the story of the person behind the flag, the events behind its creation, and address ongoing conversations over the past five years about the flag and its copyright.

The Carry the Flag film is a powerful, yet intimate narrative about identity, kinship connections, and recognition as a people.

It takes Bala B on his own journey of self-discovery, helping him to get to know a dad he barely knew as well as his Argan family.

A heartfelt sense of pride, power, and belonging is shared by Torres Strait Islanders when we see the flag flying strong across the Australian landscape.

It’s a reminder of who we are as a people, and the purpose we serve.

What’s next for Bala B? He says ‘watch this space’.

Gibbo’s unveiling draws big crowd STORY AND PICS BEL LUI The late Gibson (Gibbo) Hudson’s tombstone unveiling showed how popular he was amongst his mob, as families, friends and old workmates came from as near and far as Cape York and Torres Strait for this special occasion.

The ceremony began and ended with a didgeridoo performance by relation, David Hudson.

The weather was just perfect, although a little warmer than normal, and it may well have been one of the biggest crowds ever witnessed at a single ceremony of this kind.

Families and friends of the late Samuel Sailor Gibson (Gibbo) Hudson celebrated the event last Saturday at the Cairns’ Martyn Street cemetery.

Officiated by Fr Charlie Loban and emceed by Kevin Savage, a traditional celebration feast and entertainments was held at the Fred Moule Pavilion at Cairns showground later that day.

The late Gibbo Hudson was one of the group of Torres Strait Islanders who broke the world record for railway track laying in one day at the Pilbara Region of Western Australia in the late 1960s.

LEFT: Singer/waroop le Jacob Gabey. CENTRE: Gibbo’s unveiled headstone. RIGHT: Unveiling in progress.

SPORT 11

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021

Hopes held for international comp STORY AND PICS ALF WILSON

When Frank Cook co-founded the Zenadth Kes Rugby League carnival with Ned David back in 1997, he had a vision for the Torres Strait to pick a team from those games to play internationally.

He said he had hoped a side representing the Zenadth Kes Nation would meet and play representative teams from Tonga, Cook Island, Fiji, PNG, the NT, Samoan, Solomon Islanders, Nuie Islanders, a Murri team from

Queensland, and a Koori team from NSW, here on Waiben every two years.

Twenty-five years later, the Zenadth Kes carnival is still going strong, despite an absence of international competition, and due to be held again later this month from October 15-17 at the Ken Brown Memorial Oval.

TI-born, Mr Cook played his first rugby league on Waiben for the Royal Dragons at the age of 16 in 1979.

He began as a fullback but by week two of fixtures was moved into the forward pack.

A genuine trail blazer

of rugby league in the region, in 1982 he was one of seven founders of the Suburbs Rats Club, which still contests the local ZKRL competition on TI and recently lost the 2021 grand final to arch rivals Roosters.

Mr Cook also once ran a world famous dance group which travelled the world.

He said he loved rugby league and last played a golden oldies match, back in 2010, during the 25th anniversary of the Island of Origin series carnival on Badu.

Mr Cook, now 60, has been asked by

organisers to speak to what they expect will be big crowds at this year’s Zenadth Kes carnival event.

Speaking to the Torres News last week, he said he relished the opportunity to get his message across, even though his vision has not come to fruition.

“My idea for the Zenadth Kes carnival was to pick a side from up here to meet these others every two years,” he said.

“The games would be played here and would be good for the economy, build old friendships and create

new ones, share cultures, and foster health and wellbeing.”

At that stage, he said, the no-longer-held Island of Origin carnival was still going strong.

However he said, that was a different type of competition which could have featured up to 24 teams – if the rules had been different.

“That was, if each island and the NPA communities had teams,” he said.

“But the rules should have ensured players had

to have a community connection.

“If a player had a mother and father from different islands or communities, he would have to pick which team to play for and would have to stay with that one for three Origin series.”

He said the criteria over the years was relaxed, allowing the Islands with means to recruit ARL or NRL players and make it impossible for the

others to win.

“The Zenadth Kes carnival was a stand alone event, as I saw it, and if my vision had gone ahead, it could have brought a lot of money to the island from those visiting teams,” he said.

Mr Cook has prepared a five-page proposal about his vision, which was presented to the current carnival committee as well as local, State and Federal government leadership on Thursday Island.

THURSDAY ISLAND / SEISIA

THURSDAY ISLAND/SEISIA

FERRY SCHEDULE

OCTOBER SCHEDULE & NOVEMBER 2021 FERRY

MONDAY,/ WEDNESDAY Monday Wednesday&/FRIDAY Friday DEPART THURSDAY ISLAND: 6:30AM & 2:30PM DEPART SEISIA: 8AM & 4PM Boarding 15mins prior to departure *RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL

“Linking “Linking the the Cape Cape with with the the Torres Torres Strait” Strait”

PHONE 07 4069 1551 ONLINE BOOKINGS www.peddellsferry.com.au

In the 2008 Zenadth Kes Cup competiton Ryochi Sabatino was caught here by photographer Alf Wilson.

THE JETTY SHOP, ENGINEERS JETTY, THURSDAY ISLAND *Concession fares available, conditions apply

OFFICE HOURS • Open Monday toPHONE Friday 9.30am-12noon & 1-2.30pm 07 4069 1551 IMPORTANT • Passengers to Ticket in Advance online or by phone ONLINE BOOKINGS www.peddellsferry.com.au LUGGAGE • Please take your luggage directly to the ferry at boarding time THE JETTY SHOP ENGINEERS JETTY, THURSDAY ISLAND FREIGHT • Accepted only between 1.45pm and 2pm *CONCESSION FARES AVAILABLE. CONDITIONS APPLY THURSDAY ISLAND BUS TOURS • Bookings now available

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Office Hours are Mon to Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm.

(07) 4090 3628 Email:Fax: info@tiferry.com.au

WEbsitE: www.tiferry.com.au WEBSITE: www.tiferry.com.au email: info@tiferry.com.au

Monday - Friday

Saturday

Depart T.I.

Depart H.I.

Depart T.I.

6.10 am #

6.30 am

6.10 am #

7.00 am

7.30 am

8.00 am

8.30 am

8.00 am

9.15 am QF2489 10.15 am 11.25 am

Frank Cook.

Depart H.I.

7.30 am

8.30 am

8.00 am

8.30 am

9.50 am

9.15 am QF2489

9.50 am

9.15 am QF2489

9.50 am

10.55 am QF2488

10.15 am

10.55 am QF2488

10.15 am

10.55 am QF2488

11.45 am

11.25 am

11.25 am LUNCH

1.15 pm

1.45 pm QF 2497

2.10 pm

2.40 pm

3.25 pm QF2496

4.15 pm

4.40 pm

5.15 pm

5.40 pm

6.00 pm

6.20 pm #

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7.30 am

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# Monday to Friday: 6.10am & 6.20pm # Saturday: 6.10am, 2.10pm & 4.10pm # Sunday: 2.10pm & 4.10pm These departures will only operate for passengers pre-booked by 4pm the day prior.

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2.10 pm #

1.15 pm 1.45 pm QF2497

3.25 pm QF2496 3.50 pm

4.10 pm #

ALL QF Connections departing from Horn Island and the departures from Thursday Island after them may be delayed up to 20 minutes pending actual Qantaslink aircraft arrival time.

2.10 pm # 3.25 pm QF2496

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Effective 28th March 2021

Sport Torres News

THURSDAY OCTOBER 7 2021

SPORTS CONTRIBUTIONS Please email your stories and photos to our Editor before 12noon on Mondays.

EDITORIAL  E: editor@torres.news

Gagai amongst best on ground

Pic courtesy QRL

Theophelia inspires The opportunity to inspire young women in the Torres Strait is what drives Theophelia MosbyNona, the Yorke Islander told Queensland Rugby League news writer Joel Gould last week.

The Country prop has played two games for the Townsville Blackhawks but was chosen to play for the Queensland Under-17 team in the inaugral City v Country Girls match at the Moreton Daly Stadium in Brisbane last weekend.

A successful kick after the siren for Country secured their win in an exciting match.

Theophelia played her part with a stunning 88.9 per cent tackle efficiency rating over her 19 minutes of game time.

“This game is a great opportunity for me to represent my family and make more friends,” she said.

Theophelia told Joel she relished the front-row position where she liked to mix it with the other girls in physical contact.

“I just like running straight up, getting in there and putting on the big hits when I have to,” Theophelia said.

“I love being on the field. I started playing when I was 12 on the island with all the uncles.

The fields don’t have a lot of grass but it is a great place to learn.”

Country coach Amanda Ohl said MosbyNona was a real weapon who reminded her of barnstorming North Queensland Gold Stars prop Layla Fauid from Thursday Island.

Pics courtesy of NRL Dane Gagai was amongst the best on the ground when the South Sydney Rabbitohs narrowly lost the NRL grand final 14-12 to the Penrith Panthers last Sunday night.

Hard running centre Gagai produced 12 tackle busts, which were easily the most of any player on the ground, and also made the final pass to winger Alex Johnston, who crossed for a late Rabbits try.

During the brutal encounter, Gagai suffered a heavy head knock which resulted in him having an Head Injury Assessment, which he passed.

More than 29,000 spectators were at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for the decider

and millions more saw it on television.

People from all over the Torres Strait and NPA were also tuned in.

Since beginning his NRL career in 2011, Gagai has played 226 NRL matches for the Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights and South Sydney.

In addition he has played 19 State of Origin matches for Queensland, represented Australia seven times, made three appearances for the Indigenous Allstars, and one each for the Prime Minster’s XI and Maori Allstars.

Gagai will join rival club the Newcastle Knights for season 2022.

Alf Wilson

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