Sexual Health Awareness Month observed in Torres Strait

Health authorities in the Torres Strait were kept busy last month promoting Sexual Health Awareness Month.

Senior Public Health Officer Mario Assan said ensuring people had the tools and knowledge for prevention, testing and treatment options was really important.

“The best way to prevent getting an STI is to use condoms with water-based lubricant,’’ he said.

“Condoms, if used correctly, are the most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting an STI whilst also helping to prevent pregnancy.’’

Torres Strait Program Coordinator Lily-Annie Ahmat said one of the main aims of Sexual Health Awareness Month was to promote and provide factual sexual health and relationships information.

“Having regular sexual health checks is also an important part of maintaining good sexual and relationship health,’’ she said.

“Many STIs do not have symptoms, so the only way to know if you have an STI is to have a sexual health check, including STI testing.

“For most sexually active people, it is recommended to get tested at least once a year, but there are situations where getting tested more regularly is advised.’’

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Thursday Island-based Men’s and Women’s Health Clinical Coordinator Sandra Gregson said activities over the month included radio promotions, along with community barbecues and information stalls.

“Key messages and information delivered included reducing sexually transmissible infection-related stigma, fear, and discrimination,’’ she said.

“We wanted Torres Strait residents to take the opportunity during April, and beyond, to consider their risks and take appropriate precautions.’’

Ms Gregson said the rate of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis had climbed state-wide and nationally over the past 20 years.

“Notifications of infectious syphilis (four

Warning – don’t touch bats!

Cape York, Torres Strait, and Northern Peninsula Area residents have been warned not to touch bats, following three reported bat scratches on Cape York in the past month.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Public Health Medical Officer Dr Allison Hempenstall said none of the exposures had led to an individual contracting Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV).

“However, those exposures are a wake-up call about the risks of handling bats,’’ she said.

“Any species of bat could be carrying ABLV, which is harmful to humans and, as there is no known effective treatment for the disease once symptoms have started, almost always fatal.

‘‘Australian Bat Lyssavirus is like rabies and has led to three human deaths in Queensland in the past 25 years.

‘‘So, the message is simple, don’t touch bats.

cases to date) in the overall Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service region are on a par with previous year to date numbers, even a bit lower,’’ she said.

“However, we have seen increases in notifications of chlamydia (289 cases this year to date compared to 178 for the same period last year) and gonorrhoea (88 cases to date compared to 63 for the same period last year), similar to the state-wide and national increases in notifications for these conditions.

“As elsewhere in Queensland and nationally, this is thought to be partly attributed to advances in diagnostic technology and increased testing.

“But it is also linked to increases in the use of dating apps and greater access to more sexual partners.’’

For more information see: https://www.qld. gov.au/health/stayinghealthy/sexual-health/sti

TIMETABLE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO QANTAS SCHEDULING, SOME FERRIES MAY NOT OPERATE

Ph: (07) 4069 1586

Thursday Island/Horn Island Ferry Timetable from 06/02/2023

J All TI transfers include complimentary bus service on Thursday Island J

IMPORTANT NOTE: We will ALWAYS meet any QANTAS and Skytrans flight from Cairns – should extra services be scheduled (eg school holidays) we will add services that may be outside this schedule. For late flights – you MUST have a booking.

‘‘Don’t touch any type of bat, adult or pup, sick or well, dead or alive – how a bat looks or behaves is not an accurate guide as to whether it may be carrying a virus.

‘‘It is also incredibly important to encourage young children to never handle any bat, particularly if they should come across a sick or injured one.’’

Dr Hempenstall said only people who had been trained in the care of bats, and had been vaccinated against rabies, should ever handle bats or flying foxes.

If you find an injured bat or flying fox, contact the RSPCA (1300 ANIMAL) or your local wildlife care group/rescuer/carer, or the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (1300 130 372) for assistance – do not attempt to assist the animal yourself.

For more information phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

07 4069 1408 • E J info@rebeltours.com.au • W J www.rebeltours.com.au

Important: please request pickups at least 1 hour prior to Ferry departure �me Please note: Please be aware that we will have ferries to meet EVERY QANTAS and SKYTRANS flight from Cairns. If you can not see a ferry that suits your flight please CALL the office on 4069 1586.

Bookings are essen�al for 18:00/18:10 ferry Mon-Fri, and Saturday 06:15/06:20 & 13:45/14:00 Sunday ferry 17:15/17:30 ONLY operates when Qantas operates a late flight.

Office hours are Monday to Friday - 08:00 - 17:00 - Please consider these hours to make bookings - our office is not manned outside of these hours and we can not look up bookings or emails. We answer the phone whilst the ferry is running, but please try to book during office hours.

J Torres News Cadetship (2 years)

We are looking for a Media Cadet to develop their skills and experience here with us at the Torres News.

The successful applicant must be an 18-year-old Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and be willing to live and work from Thursday Island, have enthusiasm and drive to help tell our community stories.

For further information please contact: Diat Alferink – Editor in Chief, Torres News

Email: editor@torres.news

Phone: 0497 618 738

& PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS – Kantesha Takai, Jillian Bowie, Talei Elu, Shanella Majid, Bel Lui, Alf Wilson, Velma Gara and Perina Drummond.

TRADES & SERVICES

Phone: Barry -0499 320 990 www.wifs.com.au

TOMBSTONES

TN0367 Cairns Monumental - Trades and Services section: weekly 10x2 ad, @ $105 gst inclusive per ad, category: Tombstones. Starting 6/10/22 - 28/9/23. Andy Brench <andybrench@cairnsmonumental.com.au> contact your local funeral company on Thursday Island.

For help with funeral arrangements for your loved one,

When sori time come, wherever you are

When sori time come, wherever you are Waibeni Indigenous Funeral Services

When sori time come, wherever you are Waibeni Indigenous Funeral Services

Every yaworbloumeemdifrnt

Are here for you 24/7

Are here for you 24/7 Every yawor blo ume em difrnt

Are here for you 24/7

Are here for you 24/7

For help with funeral arrangements for your loved one, contact your local funeral company on Thursday Island.

Every yaworbloumeemdifrnt

Every yaworbloumeemdifrnt

When sori time come, wherever you are Waibeni Indigenous Funeral Services

Phone Barry 0499 320 990 • www.wifs.com.au

For help with funeral arrangements for your loved one,

For help with funeral arrangements for your loved one, contact your local funeral company on Thursday Island. contact your local funeral company on Thursday Island.

Phone: Barry -0499 320 990 www.wifs.com.au

Phone: Barry -0499 320 990 www.wifs.com.au

For more information: Call 0419 828 639 or Email ads@torres.news

Register of Pre-qualified Suppliers

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) is re-opening the tender submissions from businesses and individuals seeking to be placed on Council’s Register of Pre-qualified Suppliers for:

Supply of Trades Services – Contract No. 2023-03-01 and

Plant Machinery Hire (Civil & Building Works) –Contract No. 2023-03-02

Interested companies and individuals may complete a Schedule for one, multiple, or all of the listed categories in the supplier registers and return with the completed Tender Response.

Tenders, suitably endorsed, are invited and will be received via email tenders@nparc.qld.gov.au, until closing Noon, Tuesday 6 June 2023 and will not be opened publicly. The lowest or any Tender will not necessary be accepted. Council may change the Specifications during the tender evaluation period and invite Tenderers to change their Tender.

Tender Specification documents are available to download via Council’s website www.nparc.qld.gov.au\Council Information\Tenders and Expressions of Interest.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Council’s Operations Department via email tenders@nparc.qld.gov.au.