Torres News Thursday, 10 February 2022
Stories 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.
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Big start for new school year
Prep student Masaio Fuji, nearly-5, was ready to go at Waybeni Buway Ngurpay Mudh for the official start of school this week.
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Teamwork ensures food security ok – for now Stock held well in advance, strategies for dealing with staff shortages, and collaborative efforts with government and non-government agencies have been pitted against the usual wet season and king tide delivery issues, as well as COVID, in the battle to maintain food security across the Torres Strait. It’s a battle, CEQ General Manager for Operations Tony Flint says, they have been winning so far, particularly with their capacity to keep four to six weeks worth of stock in most of their stores. Stakeholder Engagement General Manager Fred Gela, who is based on Waiben, said they were conscious of their responsibilities to their communities. “There are no alternatives in some of the communities we service, we’ve got to get it right,” he said. “We also have to acknowledge that what we do is all dependent on our goods being delivered – we are not immune to nature, or the impacts of COVID. “We’ve looked at our operations locally in terms of mitigating the potential risks of having to shut a store down [because of COVID] and we’re trying to ensure that doesn’t happen. “So we try to make sure rosters are designed in such a way where we don’t have all the staff working at the same time, so we can limit exposure and keep those doors open.” He said they also had done significant work around food parcels. “We have picking and packaging models in place to service people and families in isolation, which vary depending on demand,” he said. “They are managed in line with store staffing levels, so the service
is either done by our local staff, non-close contact family members and/or volunteers. “There are communities where this is happening right now. “We are unable to facilitate this function without the assistance of other key agencies, volunteers and families who have been doing the door to door deliveries. “We are also ready for any of our store operations to go contactless, with pre-packaged household goods made up off-site that can be shipped out to communities.” He said there were other factors at this time of year. “We have the king tides and the north-westerly winds as well,” he said. “In some communities it’s very difficult to land a barge – weather conditions at Murray, for example, where Seaswift was lucky to get in last week because it’s beach landing, which is very different to putting a barge up to a ramp.” A spokesperson for the Department of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP) said food security, including a reliable supply of fresh food and household items for residents, was a priority for the State Government. “The department regularly communicates with CEQ to ensure continued food supply that meets community needs,” they said. “The department understands that all stores are continuing to stock a variety of basic goods including perishables. “Where some lines have had a reduction in variety of products available this is expected to gradually improve over coming weeks.” Continued P3