Townsville solidarity

through the smoke from ceremony.

Support for Survival Day in Townsville was overwhelming, with hundreds turning up for the Dawn Service, Walk in Solidarity and Festival at Strand Park.

For many years, Big Eye Theatre organised this significant event and this year’s was dubbed the biggest as a time to reflect, respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.

Organiser, Ros Sailor said she was overwhelmed by the support.

“Townsville was embracing and accepting of culture, also of the truth telling,” she said.

“The attendance has doubled from last year’s January 26 event.”

At the Dawn Service at the Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving Amphitheatre, traditional custodians and guest speakers were Dr Gracelyn Smallwood and Linda Saltner.

Later in the morning many participated in a silent walk from the Gregory Street Amphitheatre to Strand Park with flags, banners and in unity. Upon arrival, people were greeted by Wulgurukaba Walkabouts and walked

Murray Islander woman, Helen Akee, was a part of the official ceremony and spoke of the pearling and fishing industry – how the bechede-mer industry had made the Torres Strait a profitable place to live in for non-Indigenous people.

“A royal commission report of 1922 was a racist document by Labor government and showed that there were big dollars to be made in the Torres Strait with the beche-de-mer industry,” she said.

“Many businesses started arriving and setting up in the Torres Strait.”

Traditional Onwers Virginia Wyles of Wulgurukaba and Jeannette Wyles of Bindal were also guest speakers. Their messages were of hope and support shown for the event, and for the Voice to Parliament.

Torres Strait Islander presence was also felt with weaving, food and market stalls, and performances from the Komet Dance Team and Urapun Band, featuring father and son Tom and Lawrence Neliman.

Townsville’s Survival Day 2023 finished with popular Cape York band Black Image.

Francis welcomes new citizens

By aLF WiLson

For the past 10 years Francis Tapim (pictured) of Mer descent has done the Welcome to Country on behalf of Torres Strait Islanders at the Townsville City Council Australia Day ceremony.

The 75-year-old Mr Tapim did the welcome on 26 January at the event held at the Jezzine Barracks Precinct.

“During my welcome speech I acknowledged the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion and all Australian Defence Force personnel and talked about what a great country we live in,” he said.

Townsville City Council celebrated Australia Day with a jam-packed community event.

The day included a traditional Citizenship, Flag Raising and Australia Day Award ceremonies, and also featured an Aussie

Workshop

Fun Run, a free Aussie Breakfast for the first 500 people and the Great Australian Bites.

About a kilometre away at Strand Park, more than 2000 men, women and children attended Survival Day or what many also called Invasion Day.

Mr Tapim said he was looking forward to the 80th Anniversary celebrations in Townsville of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion who defended Australia’s northern outposts during World War II.

It will be held over a six week period from March 16, finishing on ANZAC Day.