Hundreds celebrate at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Townsville

BY ALF WILSON

More than 100 Torres Strait Islanders celebrated “Coming of the Light” last Saturday at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Townsville.

The celebration, which started at 10am, featured an excellent re-enactment of the arrival of missionaries on Darnley.

The warrior actors were Douglas Kaigey and Ali Day and the missionary was played by Tia Takai.

He was accompanied by Aicey Day, who played his great great grandfather Jimmy Dei – one of four who convinced Erub warriors the missionaries were not a threat, after which they accepted Christianity back in 1871.

After the reenactment a service was conducted by Father Elimo Tapim, Father Dalton Cowley and St Matthews Priest Stephanie Patching, followed by a feast outside.