12 NEWS
Sport organisations unite for ‘Yes’ Sport has been a unifying force in Australia, bringing people from all walks of life together to play ball, Yes23 Campaign Director Dean Parkin says. “With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making strong strides and contributions on and off the field, I am thrilled to welcome support for the Yes campaign from Rugby Australia, AFL and Commonwealth Games Australia,” he said. He said Richmond, Essendon, and Geelong football clubs had also signed up. “With support ramping up for the Yes campaign, we can make the most of this opportunity to harness the power of this unity to get the ‘Yes’ vote over the line,” he said. “Not only have we been buoyed by the backing of major sports organisations, we were packed to the rafters at events this week in New South Wales, with lots of respectfully curious questions and open conversations. “Wherever you are in Australia, there are more and more opportunities every week to become a player in this campaign.” He said Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien had released The Voice to Parliament Handbook, a clear and simple guide to help Australians better understand what they were voting for.
Referendum information campaign kicks off The Australian Government has launched a new information program to encourage Australians to talk about this year’s referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through establishing a Voice in the Constitution. The information program will provide factual information about the referendum proposal and point them to Voice.gov.au where they can learn more. Minister Burney for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said everyone should be wellinformed. “All Australians need to be well-informed with access to a trusted source of information as they consider the proposal to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia through a referendum,” she said. “I welcome the launch of this information campaign which will reach audiences of every background and is a key step in preparing the country for this national conversation before voting day. “This is one part of the broader Referendum civics education program with investments made through the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Constitution Education Fund Australia to give Australians everything they need to make an informed decision.” Giving Australians trusted, easily accessible information that covers the what, why and how of the Referendum was crucial to increasing awareness and understanding before voting day, being held between October and December this year. Community toolkits and other resources will be made available on the Voice.gov.au website.
THURSDAY 25 MAY 2023 TORRES NEWS
Tributes for Denne ... A small sample of the many tributes to Denne on social media from around Australia and beyond, including Cook Islands and Norfolk Island. “This is absolutely shocking and so unreal. Bala Denne garr, you will be dearly missed by everyone. You will remain forever in our hearts,” Kali McKeown said. “Bala Denne was an all round great family guy with a heart of gold, loved by everyone. “Torres Strait Outriggers paddled for Bala Denne this morning, Saturday 20 May at 6.30am, laying flowers in his honour and loving memory. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his Georgia and Kiva, siblings, family and friends and the Thursday Island community.” Pics with thanks to the groups mentioned and to Tarita Bin Doraho, Noel Green and Chris Boon.
Mission Beach.
J Last weekend the Mission Beach Outrigger Canoe Club stopped to remember Denne who shared his beautiful soul with Mission Beach outriggers. “We send our thoughts, love and prayers to Georgia, Kiva, and family and to the Torres Strait community. RIP mate,” they said.
Cook Islands.
Last Saturday at sunrise the Torres Strait Outriggers Canoe Club came together to paddle for club president, partner, brother, son, father, bala, and friend Denne Bourke. The paddle began with three blows on the bu shell and a prayer delivered by a friend. From the club HQ to Sadies Beach, Denne’s partner Georgia led the flotila while Denne’s sisters Shelley, Diana, and Kathleen were on board to bid Denne a smol yawo. The club was honoured to paddle with Georgia and her sisters-in-law on the waters he loved so much. “We all raised our paddles and shared stories of what he meant to us and the wider community,” they said. “Then with the final blow on the bu shell we lay flowers to be with Denne, all while Denne’s son Kiva watched on from Queensland Police vessel. “As the sun rose on our backs, we splashed our paddles three times, and Georgia paddled us all home for Denne.” Georgia said she paddled for him.
“Today, all I kept thinking was that I couldn’t paddle home from Sadies but then I thought, ‘Denne couldn’t paddle home’, so I had to paddle home for him,” she said. The club said as a paddler, Denne was strong, outgoing, and supportive of everyone who wanted to give it a try. “Since his arrival on Waiben the Outriggers grew and grew to become the much loved club it is today – he was forever recruiting people, every morning while they waited for their coffee,” they said. “Denne coached most of the people who have paddled with the Outriggers, and pushed people to acheive things in outrigging they would have never have otherwise tried. Our juniors looked up to him as a mentor and superman. “His love and support for the club and for outrigging was the reason so many of us on Thursday Island paddle – and we will continue to do so. “On behalf of the Torres Strait Outriggers Canoe Club, we can not thank Queensland Police, the community of the Torres Strait, and the wider outirgging community enough for their continuous support throughout this time.”
Torres Strait Outriggers Canoe Club on Saturday morning.
J The Hekili Outrigger Canoe Club in the Cook Islands also paddled in Denne’s honour, along with many other clubs and paddling family along the coast. “We paddled out in honour of our friend Denne Bourke of TSOCC,” they said. “To the call of the Conch shell and the beat of the Cook Island drums we remembered Denne for his big smile, caring nature and love of paddling. “He will forever be in our hearts. Our thoughts and love to Georgia, their son Kiva and all Denne’s family and friends.”
Townsville.
J Townsville’s Coral Sea Outrigger Canoe Club sent their heartfelt thoughts and prayers to their beautiful paddling friend Denne Bourke, Georgia, Kiva, family, friends, the Thursday Island community and our paddling friends from the Torres Strait Outriggers.
Norfolk Island.
Locals at Bala D’s spot.
