NEWS 03
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2023
Harmony Week sings in schools Fijian musician Andrea Kirwin has spent the past week teaching and working with Tagai students across several campuses, including Ugar and Dauan, for this year’s Harmony Week. Waybeni Buway Ngurpay Mudh Head of Campus Rick Cass said Andrea had also worked with members of Tagai Children’s choir, who will perform with Andrea at Waybeni Buway’s Harmony Concert on Friday afternoon and again at the Harmony Night free community event at ANZAC Park on Saturday.
“Our choir and Year 2 teacher, Jade Bligh, travelled out to Warraber with Andrea to work with their choir leader and Head of Campus, Natalie Van Zyl,” Rick said. “I can’t wait to hear what they – the kids and their music mentors – created together this weekend at our two big concerts.” Andrea said it was a privilege to be there. “What an absolute privilege it is to have visited Ugar and Dauan school campuses today,” she said. “The children were so
eager to listen and learn, and now they know how to write their own original songs. “I hope the Harmony Week workshops inspire them to be creative musically, as so many of them had natural talent and can already sing and dance. “It was such a pleasure teaching them and sharing stories and songs from my Fijian heritage, including Chulu Chululu. “The children kept asking when I was coming back. “Hopefully I can return again and hear the songs they’ve written,
I’m sure they will be great.” Rick said they were thrilled to have Andrea for the week. “Connecting people and generating joy and happiness is such a big part of Harmony Week for me, and the theme Everyone Belongs I just know will be a strong thread in the songs and music that will be created over next week or so,” Rick said. “I hope as many people come out to watch Andrea perform here on TI, and for those communities lucky enough to catch her this week and next, we hope
ANDREA KIRWIN: With students at Tagai Ugar Campus. Pic supplied. you come away with a little extra love in your hearts from being a part of Harmony Week.”
Summit looks at cost of living
This week’s Cost of Living Summit on Waiben was held in response to number of issues identified at last year’s community cabinet in September last year. Those issues included rising food and fuel costs, freight challenges, marine infrastructure falling into disrepair, energy prices, and transport. Cook MP Cynthia Lui lead the forum, which brought together government, councils, business and the community.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said they had promised to act to help ease the cost of living pressures in the region. “That’s exactly what we are doing,” the Premier said. “I heard from the community that the impact of rising food and fuel was around three times what’s being experienced in South East Queensland. “That’s why I directed key ministers to hold this cost-of-living summit and
see what work we can do and how we can work with other levels of government at a local and federal levels to make improvements.” Torres Strait Ministerial Champion and Attorney General Shannon Fentiman said she was delighted to see the support offered. “As ministerial champion for this region I’m delighted to see cost of living support being delivered in the form of freight subsidies, transport improvements, and social housing,” Ms Fentiman said.
“During my recent visits it’s been clear the cost of living has been a major issue, which is why the Government is stepping in to support the region. “When I travel to communities right across the Torres Strait, families tell me how much they rely on marine infrastructure for basic necessities, like catching fish to feed their families, and for travelling between islands for essential services.” More stories and pics P4 N
ARTIST WORKSHOP 1:
INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED
DRAWING TECHNIQUES WITH ARTIST NICOLE CROSSWELL 18-20 April 2023 Gab Titui Cultural Centre Thursday Island
Pic supplied.
Pippa, Nicole Croswelll (2019)
ARTIST WORKSHOP 2:
UNDERSTANDING
DIGITAL MEDIA
COMPLIMENTARY TO
2D TO 3D MEDIA
FOR EXHIBITIONS AND INSTALLATIONS WITH ARTIST KELLIE O'DEMPSEY
16-18 May 2023 Gab Titui Cultural Centre Thursday Island
Infrastructure bonus comes with Cost of Living Summit M Continued from P1 Senator for Queensland Nita Green said the investments would go a long way towards improving how the community operated in the Torres Strait. “This infrastructure
is not only needed to deliver supplies or to get from one place to another – it’s vital for maintaining this community’s way of life, culture, and livelihoods,” she said. Minister for Transport and Main
Roads Mark Bailey the program would provide modern, fit-for-purpose infrastructure. “That will not only improve safety but will be resilient to climate, and will help boost the region’s economy,” he said.
Reframe (2022); Queensland Regional Award 2022
Only 10 places per workshop Registrations close 5pm Monday 3 April
07 40690 888
WORKING TOGETHER: Federal & State politicians announcing the infrastructure package to media in Cairns. Pic supplied.
CAHTeam@tsra.gov.au
