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.