04 TSLIB
THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2023 TORRES NEWS
Top ranking Army chief ‘honoured’ to visit Waiben STORY BY ALF WILSON
M Continued from P1 “During the Second World War, 880 Torres Strait Islanders enlisted into the Australian Army to defend the archipelago from Japanese invasion – only 10 men remained at home with their families,” Lt. Gen. Stuart said. He said descendants of the Battalion continued to serve in the Australian Defence Forces across Australia. “Many are within the 51 Far North Queensland Regiment, Charlie (Sarpeye) Company on Thursday Island,” he said. “Every Torres Strait Island soldier there has a grandfather who served in the Battalion, demonstrating the significance of their contribution to Australia, which should not be forgotten. “The Sarpeyes are proudly the Australian Army’s largest primarily Indigenous sub-unit,
THURSDAY ISLAND 1945: Members of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion. Pic supplied. carrying on the legacy of their ancestors in the protection of our country. “They will tell you proudly that they are the eyes and ears of the north. “They play a vital role in protecting Australia’s northern borders through the persistent protection and surveillance in the Torres Strait region.” He said he would be there for the ceremonial parade through
IN TOWNSVILLE: Therese Cowley with the banner. Pic Alf Wilson. MEANWHILE Townsville’s planning and rehearsing for their celebrations were well underway.
the streets by soldiers of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR), and a commemorative service at ANZAC Park. The Waiben celebrations on 16 and 17 March were expected to receive national coverage in print publications, radio and television and social media, along with extensive local coverage in the Torres News and on Radio 4MW.
This Saturday at Townsville’s Flexible Learning Centre there will host singing practice for the event, with quality singer Alma Pilot, who was a member of the Deadly Aunties. Aunties. The other members were Millianna Davey, Mamam
Martin and Anemah Ghee who is now deceased. Already a banner has been made which will be on display throughout the Townsville event. Committee co-ordinator Therese Cowley expects many people young and old will turn out for the Townsville celebrations, which will include marching on ANZAC day.
TSLIB members featured in photo exhibition BY ALF WILSON AN exhibition featuring photographs of Indigenous Defence veterans at Townsville’s James Cook University will coincide with the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion. The photos are part of the Serving Country Exhibition, each featuring a veteran, on display at JCU’s Indigenous Education and Research Centre on the Bebegu Yumba
Campus in Townsville. Torres Strait Islanders including Marsat Ketchell, Pamela Bowie and Phil Bowie have their pics in the exhibition, and their names on a silk banner, which has the names of 28 First Nations People who joined the Defence Force. They were: Alan Hamilton, Anne Dufficy (Army-TSI), Bertram Slape OAM, Bob Waterer, Chris Proud, Colin Watego OAM, Desmond Mayo, Edwin James Mimi, Frances Ah
Mat Visini (Navy-TSI), Glen James OAM, Helen Spinney, John Burns, Lorraine Hatton OAM, Marj Tripp OA, Mark Woodhouse, Marsat Ketchell (Navy-TSI), Natalie Whyte, Pamela Tapim (Navy-TSI), Patricia Lees AM), Phillip Bowie (Navy-TSI), Ray Rosendal (CSM), Rob Bryant, Robert Holt, Roy Mundine, Samuel Shepherd, Shirley Mooney, Stephen Dodd, and Tara Enchong. The exhibition includes 200
When sori time come, wherever you are
photographs of Indigenous veterans which have been displayed around the country. Waiben-born JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy, Professor Martin Nakata said the exhibition was a powerful reminder of the service of Indigenous people across many generations in defence of Australia. “The men and women featured in this display each have an inspirational story to tell that was forged by hard work, mateship and sacrifice,” he said. Exhibition organiser Therese Cowley said the
display was especially timely considering March 17 would mark the 80th anniversary of the raising of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion on Waiben during World War 2. “We have many direct descendants of the Torres Strait Light Infantry living in Townsville. They were frontline soldiers and defended our northernmost borders from the Japanese during the war,” Ms Cowley said. Ms Cowley has ties to the famed Battalion, as well as three family members currently serving in the Australian Defence Force. She said she had no
doubt students would be emotionally moved by the portraits on display. “Being able to unwrap each portrait and observing the medals each veteran displayed on their chest gave me chills,” she said. “Just to see how far they’ve gone in their journey and what they’ve sacrificed to defend freedom in this country, it’s a powerful story. “For the students, I hope it encourages them to follow their dreams and become our next generation of leaders.” Professor Nakata said from conflicts in South Africa and Gallipoli through to Afghanistan
and Iraq, Indigenous Australians have always been there to answer the call to defend our nation. “We are honoured to host part of this exhibition at JCU and we hope the exhibition inspires our students,” Professor Nakata said. More than 200 veterans were photographed by Belinda Mason and Dieter Knierim for the exhibition, which has featured at various locations across Australia since 2014. The banners will be rotated with others each month and will be on Waiben for Light Infantry Battalion celebrations in March.
Waibeni Indigenous Funeral Services Are here for you 24/7
Every yawor blo ume em difrnt For help with funeral arrangements for your loved one, contact your local funeral company on Thursday Island. Phone: Barry - 0499 320 990 www.wifs.com.au ON SHOW: Professor Martin Nakata at the exhibition with a pic of Waiben-based Marsat Ketchell behind him. Pic by JCU.
www.wifs.com.au Phone: Barry - 0499 320 990
