Churches combine for prayers and blessings

More than 300 community members attended a combined church service held last Sunday at ANZAC Park to launch the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival week with prayers and blessings.

The event was hosted by the Torres Shire Indigenous Advisory Committee chaired by Cr John Abednego with Mayor Yen Loban, Cr Gabriel Bani, and Elders Uncle Pedro Stephen, Aunty Silen David, Ama Denna Nona and Uncle Alo Tapim with Torres Shire Council CEO Dalassa Yorkston.

On the day a donation bowl was passed around for the family of missing kayaker Denne Bourke, which was presented to Tari Sagigi by Aunty Silen after the service. A light lunch was also provided by Torres Shire Council.

the Second World War, to the Masig Statement, expected to be discussed at length at this week’s Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival, from Tuesday until tomorrow night.

“We are at the beginning of the beginning,” he said.

Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chair Napau Pedro Stephen AM said self-determination and sovereignty was important to the peoples of the Torres Strait, and called on all government agencies to develop and grow local talent and local leadership.

“Our people should be filling these positions,” he said. He told the school-age children present they were the leaders of tomorrow who would carry the fight forward.

Uncle Bongo Sagigi also spoke.

Torres Shire Council Cr John Abednego, with Cr Bani, was a member of the Indigenous Advisory