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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 29 JUNE 2023
Origin popular with boarding school families STORY AND PICS BY ALF WILSON Families from several Torres Strait Islands travelled to Townsville last week to pick up their children from boarding schools so they could return home for the school holidays. The Torres News spoke to members of families from Saibai, Badu, Mer and Warraber. Some were able to get to the second Women’s State of Origin rugby league clash between Queensland and NSW last Thursday night as part of their trip, including friendly Badu Islanders Alphie Hosea, Ena Blanket, Myrtle Hosea and Lasika Warria. “I will be going to the ladies football and we are here to take home some students for school holidays,” Alphie said. Members of the Wosomo family from Saibai Island were in big numbers in the CBD. “It is good to be here in Townsville,” Nancy Wosomo said. They were also picking up children who were at Townsville schools for the holidays. Patricia Kaigey from Mer was preparing to take her daughter Sisie Kaigey, 14, back home and with them was Selina Thaiday. Warraber lady Belinda Mari was in the CBD with daughters Jacinta, 11, and Louish, 15, who were there for interviews to attend school next year. Jacinta will be going to St Pat’s on the Townsville Strand and Louish will be at Heatley High School. The family support local Warraber Island team the Surumau Gladiators who competed at the Torres Strait Island of Origin series on Badu. From Home Hill, which is 100km south of Townsville in the Burdekin, are Badu family Kuntha Guligo, Donna Savage, Delphine Savage and Annie Savage who were walking along Palmer Street, also headed for the Origin game.
LEFT: Alphie Hosea, Ena Blanket, Myrtle Hosea & Lasika Warria from Badu. ABOVE: Patricia Kaigey & daughter Sisie with Selina Thaiday.
ABOVE: Members of the Wosomo family from Saibai Island. LEFT: Home Hill family Kuntha Guligo, Donna Savage, Delphine Savage & Annie Savage.
“...absolutely loved it,” Lyrech Mara says at her first Island of Origin Highest Point Scorer: Brendan Magala (Apudthama) Rookie of the Carnival: Tekelu Mene (Wakaid Warriors) Most Improved: Yosepha Kepa (Magun Warriors) Best Forward: Laurie Elisala (Roxin Eagles) Best Back: Lewis Mene (Wakaid Warriors) Golden Boot: Brendan Magala (Apudthama) Player of the Carnival: Matthew Gibuma (Goemu Bau Raiders)
BY ALF WILSON It was a “big surprise” for Lyrech Mara to win three individual awards when she played for winning women’s competition side Kayin Kosals at the Island of Origin series on Badu Island earlier this month. The 21-year-old Lyrech won Player of the Carnival, the top try scorer trophy and also scored the most number of points. Kayin Kosals won the final beating Waiben-side Pioneer Dames 32-10. They went through the carnival undefeated. Speaking to the Torres News Lyrech said it was the first time she has lined up at the Island of Origin. “I haven’t been to Badu for about 10 years and absolutely loved it,” she said. “I have lots of relatives there amongst the Baira and Nona families and they looked after me so much – every night I had a feast.” Quietly spoken off the football field, Lyrech said
Individual Awards: Women
Lyrech Mara. Pic supplied. she arrived two days before the action started. “I played lock and it was a great carnival with lots of big tackles and was challenging,” she said. “It was about the same intensity as the Women’s Queensland Cup.” Her mother Rothana, and sometimes her uncle Roy Baira, who coached
Stef Mooka. Pic by Darren Moncrieff. Kulipyam at the last Mackay Indigenous carnival, have been with her most of the way of her football journey but this time she went by herself. Lyrech credits her excellent form to losing 20kg over the past year. “I was very surprised to win the three awards,” she said.
Mooka’s come back Former Queensland women’s State of Origin representative Stephanie Mooka made a comeback to line up for Kayin Kosals and took out the carnival’s Best Forward award. “Steph really had a good carnival and played at different positions in the forwards and backs,” Lyrech said.
“She had retired after injury but will play at carnivals.” Another Kayin Kosals player to impress Lyrech was Esther Kebisu who won the best Back Award.
Full list of awards: Individual Awards: Men Top Try Scorer: Lewis Mene (Wakaid Warriors)
Highest Point Scorer: Lyrech Mara (Kayin Kosals) Top Try Scorer: Lyrech Mara (Kayin Kosals) Rookie of the Carnival: Rashae King (Kayin Kosals) Most Improved: Etuina Suavai (Jillaroos) Best Forward: Stephanie Mooka (Kayin Kosals) Best Back: Esther Kebisu (Kayin Kasals) Golden Boot: Calista Boyd (Kayin Kosals) Player of the Carnival: Lyrech Mara (Kayin Kosals)
