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CULTURAL FESTIVAL
THURSDAY 8 JUNE 2023 TORRES NEWS
Cultural Festival truly a celebration – Mayor Pics by Lewis Bin Doraho with thanks to Torres Shire Council.
The 2023 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival was held on Waiben during Reconciliation Week and featured more than 60 performances held over four exciting days in several locations. From the combined prayer service, hosted by the Torres Shire Indigenous Advisory Committee, to the Mabo Day Celebrations held last Friday, the week of cultural celebrations was a success by all measures. “This truly was a celebration – the first fully curated and run Festival since 2018, and communities across the Torres Strait loved catching up and re-connecting with family and friends,” Torres Shire Mayor Yen Loban said. “What makes it even more special with these connections, was the innovation of a purpose-built gallery and forum space where there were displays of the various family genealogies going back generations upon generations. “Also on display was the timeline, the history, of the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival itself and daily signings and forums around this year’s theme – the Masig Statement Malungu Yangu Wakay (Voice from the Deep). ‘The dance teams – Muyngu Koekaper Saibai Island, Dhamuw Koedal Badhu Island, Urab Poruma Island, Zogo Tudi Warraber Island, Iama Dance Team Yam Island, Masig Dance Team Yorke Island, Neguams Dance Troupe Mer Island, Kaziw Meta Dance Team Thursday Island and Kawadji Wimpa Dance Team Lockhart River – are to be congratulated on their impressive performances on every day of the festival. “A special mention to the surprise performance by Team Torres Shire during the final hour of the Festival was amazing and well received. “This has been our coming of age Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival. “Great things can happen if we keep our culture strong and our communities together in pursuit of our shared autonomous future. “Torres Shire Council has curated, funded and hosted this event for almost two decades. “Significantly this Reconciliation Week sees the Queensland Government being a proud sponsor of the event, a vast difference to the Queensland Government forty years ago.” The Festival was MC’d by Indigenous Advisory Committee member and Torres Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Gabriel Bani who was ably assisted by Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Committee Cr John Abednego. It was officially opened with a procession and welcome from Kaurareg Traditional Owner Elder Uncle Saila Savage and KNTAC Chair Milton Savage. Speakers at the official opening included Member for Cook Cynthia Lui, Cr Loban, TSIRC Mayor Cr Phillemon Mosby and Indigenous Advisory Committee Chair Cr John Abednego. The next day the 2023 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival went to the Elders Star of the Sea, so that they too might enjoy the festival and celebrations of culture. “This was a very emotional and moving time for everyone,” Cr Loban said. “It was both humbling and an honouring, the significance of bringing the Festival to the Elders was a highlight.” The Tagai Culture Day was also held that afternoon.
Thursday last week was opened by Lockhart River dancers, Kawadji Wimpa, followed by Dhamuw Koedal and Iama Dance teams who featured at the Cultural Village, followed by performances in front of the HACC Centre on Douglas Street by Urab and Zogo Tudi. Performances by Muyngu Koekaper and Neguams Dance Troupe in Anzac Park were also well attended by community members. The Masig Forum that day included a very moving signing of the Masig Statement accompanied by the singing of the Island Hymn. Event Manager and Torres Shire Council CEO Dalassa Yorkston said it was wonderful. “Families were commenting on the wonderful atmosphere, how much they learnt from the genealogy display and the importance of discussing the Masig Statement,” she said. “Council and the Indigenous Advisory Committee wish to extend a big esso for this feedback. “Very positive feedback was also received from the media that attended the 2023 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival, including NITV, The Point and Channel 10. “Radio 4MW also covered the Festival. “Council has engaged in partnership agreements with media. “We feel that this is truly the beginning of a new beginning.” On Friday a Float Parade for Mabo made its way in procession from Mr Turtle to the Festival Grounds on the eve of Mabo Day. Cr Abednego said the parade was a celebration. “The sounds, the deep rhythmic chants as the Parade entered the Festival Grounds made my heart jump for joy,” he said. Cr Loban said the legacy of the five plaintiffs was remembered and honoured. The morning’s festivities culminated in the cutting of the Mabo Day cake and lunch, followed by an afternoon and evening of singing and entertainment. The Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival was proudly hosted by Torres Shire Council with support from the Queensland Government and the Torres Strait Regional Authority. Other sponsors and supporters included the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Arts Queensland, Tourism and Events Queensland, Peddells, SeaSwift, Community Enterprise Queensland, CAS, Preston Law, Leftfield, Dread Sound, Austek, Coral Sea Concrete, Supply Nation, TI Concrete Works, Tropic City, Reel Planning, National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Davidson Development Solutions (DDS), Lewis James Media, Kwik Copy, Babinda Electrical, Cairns Hardware, Events NQ, Cape Air Transport, Ergon Energy, Fourier, OSE Group, Torres Strait Air, DDA, OHS Consultancy Services, ARO, Kaiwalagal Ferries and Charters, Rebels Thursday Island Tours and C Alexander & Associates Consulting and Torres News.
The 2023 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival winners were: • Best Stall: Small Beginnings. • Best Business: Public Health Centre, Douglas Street. • Best Float: Saibai Island. • Festival Queen: Aunty Tassie McDonald.
