Torres News_Edition 104_26 October 2023

Thursday, 26 October 2023

Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.

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Youth shine at Gathering Voices

Tagai student Natessie Repu, 9, with Batchelor Institute Screen & Media student Selwyn Burke at the Gathering Voices Youth Arts Day at ANZAC Park last Friday. Pic by Sylvia Tabua.

Five days, 12 events, nationally acclaimed Indigenous media organisations, movie-makers, singers, dancers, chefs, artists, musicians and, most of all, a good contingent of local youth, Elders and several in between, came together to enjoy the Gathering Voices Media and Arts Festival on Waiben last week.

Hosted by Torres Strait Islanders Media Association (TSIMA) and Torres News, CEO, Editor and organiser Diat Alferink said it was an honour to amplify voices from across Zenadth Kes nationally and internationally through the event.

“National Indigenous media organisations like Batchelor Institute, the Koori Mail and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School community joined our staff in sharing their skills through a series of shared workshops, activities and events,” she said.

“Community members learnt how to interview and be interviewed, take photos and hear about why media is important.

“Along with a Youth Arts Day at ANZAC Park, we also had dance classes, choir, music mentoring, art networking events and a media forum.”

She said their primary focus was to engage and inspire young people.

“We were focussed on young people and encouraging them to tell their stories,” she said.

“Our team and supporters did an incredible job bringing together a series of engaging, thoughtful and fun events for the community.

“A highlight for all of us was chef Nornie Bero, who brought her high callibre culinary experience home from Naarm (Melbourne) for the first time, with a taste of Mabu Mabu.

“And everyone loved our finale Inspiring Voices concert on Saturday night which featured internationally renowned artists from Sarong Samarai made up of Airileke, Sprigga Mek, Jagarizzar, Jugu, Roem Brothers, and performances by Deline Briscoe, Kee’ahn, Joey Tapau, Daniella Williams Jack Bani, Northen Xposure and Christine Anu.” For more pics and yarns see PAGES 12 – 15 inside! N

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THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

Australian Climate Case back in Court

Paul Kabai (left) and Pabai Pabai who are leading a case in Melbourne’s Federal Court on the impacts of climate change and sea-level rises in the Torres Strait. Last year, they took their message to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cairo in Egypt.

Pic by Bianka Csenki, Grata Fund.

Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabai’s ground-breaking Australian Climate Case will recommence in Melbourne’s Federal Court next month following on-Country hearings in the Torres Strait in June this year.

The Melbourne court will hear from leading expert witnesses on the impacts of climate change and sea level rise in the Torres Strait.

The court will also examine Australia’s contribution to global carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.

It was expected the hearings would run from 8-23 November.

Your North Queensland airline connecting the islands of the Torres Strait with Health surveys almost done Cairns and Bamaga Shonella Tatipata at the Zenadth Kes Festival 2023. Pic supplied.

BY CARLI WILLIS

FLY WITH A QUEENSLANDER

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) staff have been visiting communities to conduct the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NATSINPAS), and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Measures Survey (NATSIHMS) – and they have almost completed the Zenadth Kes part of their research.

They said concerns about health conditions, food security, housing, education and employment were among the common themes emerging across the surveys which were conducted across the nation.

The rest of the country should be completed by the end of this year.

ABS Centre of

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Statistics Director Shonella Tatipata said the agency worked hard to ensure it engaged with communities sensitively to ensure meaningful engagement with the voluntary surveys.

“We are following the principles of free prior and informed consent when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on communities across Australia,” she said.

Ms Tatipata said the surveys would observe how health priorities have changed over time.

“There is an opportunity for people to be proactive in telling their story in terms of their health priority, but also with receiving their own results as part of the Aboriginal Health Study a survey as well,” she said.

“That is all private, and the ABS will not see its raw results, but we’ll get an understanding what indicators are coming through as a result of that work.”

NEWS 03 Back-to-back rescues highlight need for better emergency services TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

BY CARLI WILLIS & HARRY LUI Two recent search and rescues in the Torres Strait have highlighted the importance of robust emergency services and renewed calls for safety education in the region.

The back-to-back rescues came after Federal Member for Leichardt Warren Entsch expressed his concern that lives could be lost if services weren’t brought up to scratch.

Three people were stranded in a dinghy for 24 hours from Saturday 14 October when Queensland Police Service (QPS) said water entered their dinghy’s engine, causing it to falter.

Thursday Island Water Police Senior Constable Chris Mosby said the trio were found by an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) rescue jet out of Cairns, after a helicopter and police boat failed to find the lost dinghy.

“It did sweeps of the area in

between Mua and Yam and found that dinghy,” he said “They were drifting just in the passage and heading up towards the reefs.”

Senior Constable Mosby said another search party was sent for two people who had gone turtle hunting late at night on Sunday 15 October and didn’t return home.

He said the men were found at 6am on Monday 16 October by the Rescue Helicopter and were towed back to Thursday Island by the Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland (VMRQ) boat.

“The outcome is they’re all safe and well,” he said.

VMRQ General Manager Keith Williams said the boat used for the search was the region’s original rescue boat, constructed in 2007 and last refitted in 2019.

The safety of VMRQ’s Thursday Island boat was questioned by Mr Entsch earlier this month, but neither VMRQ nor QPS have

responded to several inquiries put to them by the Torres News.

The office for the Minister for Police and Fire and Emergency Services said they had received advice from VMRQ that there were appropriately certified vessels positioned in the Torres Strait.

QPS said they were working to strengthen and better align disaster and emergency services across Queensland by implementing recommendations made in the 2019 Blue Water Review.

The review, conducted in 2018, found the state’s two main marine rescue organisations – VMRQ and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) – suffered from “poor internal communication, dated constitutions and lack of transparency”.

A QPS spokesperson said the region was also supported by the Water Police, Maritime Safety Queensland, Department of Defence and Australian Border Force.

“We are strengthening and better aligning disaster and emergency services across Queensland,” the spokesperson said.

“After several reviews of Queensland’s disaster and emergency management system, and its associated volunteer services, including the Blue Water Review, multiple recommendations were made to ensure Queensland’s frontline officers, staff, partners, and volunteers are best positioned to respond to emergency situations.

“The Queensland Government has provided $35.38 million to support the recommendation of establishing an integrated marine rescue service, called Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) before the 2024 disaster season.

“MRQ will bring together AVCGA and VMRQ as a single entity within the QPS.” They said as part of the program, a new $1.3 million boat had been constructed and was currently

berthed at the Cairns Marina.

Senior Constable Mosby urged families to stay safe by planning their trip, letting loved ones know where they were going, and to pack safety equipment.

“Yumpla all salt water people and we travel any time of the day or night, in all kinds of weather,” he said.

“But be mindful that we can get complacent and it’s important that we carry the right safety gear in the dinghy.

“Make sure your life jackets for everyone – if you got five people, carry five jackets.

“Carry orange and red flares, make sure they’re in date.

“And also an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), because that’s the most important one in your safety equipment list.

“Just can’t stress enough that safety equipment, because they do save lives.”

Emerging Aus/PNG leaders up for discussions

BY CHRISTINE HOWES Conversations between emerging Australian and Papua New Guinea leaders was the focus of an event hosted by the Lowy Institute in Cairns last week.

Delegate Torres Webb, 38, said he was keen for more Torres Strait Islanders to know about the event and take up the opportunity to be involved next year.

“I had never heard of the Lowy Institute or the Emerging Leaders Dialogue before,” he said.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to bridge and strengthen our ties and relationships with our nearest neighbours.

“So I applied and found out this week there were 200 people who applied from Australia and Papua New Guinea, but only

20 of us were selected.”

He said Torres Strait presenters included Jesse Martin and Ruby Ketchell, with other discussions led by First Nations Ambassador Justin Mohammed, several sessions with Nguma Bada’s campus (James Cook University’s) Cairns Institute, and discussions about sport and community development, art, business, international development partnerships and media.

“This particular leadership dialogue is all based around Australia and Papua New Guinea,” he said.

“Every year there is a different theme, last year’s was digital technologies, but this year’s theme took my eye because it was First Nations foreign policy.

“There were so many fantastic topic areas and

speakers, and one of the things I loved about the program was their balance.

“What I appreciated the most was the connections and the relationships – you can have the most fantastic programs and projects, but it’s about people, and that’s what strengthens those policy ties and understanding.

“It’s about people to people and relationships.”

He said the conversations were key.

“This was really about the the dialogue, it was about the conversations we had together, amongst all of the group,” he said.

“And that was fantastic because in the program they left space to have that open, honest, transparent yarn and delve a bit deeper.

“We had ample time

to just sit and discuss topic areas from sports to culture to tourism.”

He said it was a great opportunity to build on his future aspirations.

“This was another

important opportunity in my leadership journey, for me to continue to build my knowledge base, understanding and networks, to continue

to strive to create good, positive, sustainable and hopeful futures for our mob,” he said.

“It was really inspiring to see all of the fantastic work people are

doing with our nearest neighbours.

“There’s a lot of synergies and connections for us to work better together and learn from each other.”

Community members are invited to the

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Torres Webb, Jesse Oberleuter (Tee-Jay), who travelled with First Nations Ambassador Justin Mohammed, and Jesse Martin at the Lowy Institute’s Emerging Leaders Dialogue. Pic supplied.

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04 NEWS

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

Care centre supports Elders’ return to Country initiative

BY DARREN MONCRIEFF AND JEN ENOSA An initiative by a Cairns-based aged care organisation has helped to reconnect our old people to Country they can no longer live on due to their advanced ages.

Bupa Aged Care Cairns (BACC) brought residents Aunty Margie Levi and Aunty Clare Constance back to the familiar sights, sounds

and smells of home for a visit so they could reconnect with family, friends and loved ones – and their Country.

The ladies even got to spend time on the Ngurupai jetty where they went jigga for kai kai – and, to their delight, caught a fish which was shared at a gathering later that day.

The care facility in Cairns had 151 beds and a large proportion of residents who were Torres Strait Islanders.

Freecall 1800 732 850 Email enquiries@ wakai-waian. com.au 40 Douglas St Thursday Is. Our very own cultural safe, Psychological and Counselling support service that delivers to youme first nations and non-indigenous people throughout “Zenadth Kes” region. The Social, emotional wellbeing bor youme in the community e responsibility and business bor youme everyone.

The idea for the visit came up during a regular gathering.

“We started up a cultural gathering on Tuesday afternoons and we called it Back to Country,” BACC activity coordinator Ally Moran said.

“The ladies shared their stories, music and traditional songs and that grew – it also made them homesick [so] we put our heads together.”

The answer was an actual Back to Country visit for the aunties.

Ally was joined by BACC general manager Nicola Swindells in taking the ladies to the islands.

“Clare and Margie worked together when they were younger and they have that connection now in the aged care facility, so this was just so special, they’ve been thrilled,” Nicola said.

“I’ve seen a side of both of them I’ve never seen before – the

happiness and the smiles.”

Aunty Margie said she was happy.

“I feel very happy, because I am always happy to come home,” she said.

“Not only for me but all the Thursday Island ladies.

“The island, he change, more people where I been lived there, all kind nations on the island now where I used to be.

“All the kids, I brought youpla up, they all grown up now.

“I’m happy at Bupa, we talk and laugh, and everyone is there – I love staying there.”

TOP: The aunties were able to jigga for fish at the Ngurupai jetty.

BOTTOM: Aunty Clare and Aunty Margie were surrounded by the love from their families upon their return.

Pics supplied.

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Nearly 40 organisations have endorsed a joint statement rejecting calls for a Royal Commission into Aboriginal child abuse.

The statement came after Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton moved a motion in Parliament calling on the Prime Minister to support their call for a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities.

Mr Dutton also called on the Government to support an audit of spending on Indigenous programs and to support practical policy ideas to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians to help close the gap.

“It is absolutely unbelievable that this Government would reject now, yet again – by not even taking this motion to discuss it before the Parliament – the prospect of finding a pathway forward to helping young Indigenous kids in communities like in

Alice Springs, like in Tennant Creek and elsewhere, these are the most vulnerable of children in the country,” he said. “…And somehow, we don’t see it as a priority in this Parliament, or at least this Prime Minister doesn’t see it as a priority for this Parliament to call for a Royal Commission, to understand what is happening, to have such a significant prevalence of child sexual abuse within Indigenous communities – not within every Indigenous community – of course not; and where it’s not taking place, where the elders are stepping up, where the leadership is being provided in those communities – let’s replicate that into other communities where that is not the case.”

The statement rejecting Mr Dutton’s call was signed by 37 organisations including SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children, NACCHO, Lowitja Institute,

Healing Foundation, Reconciliation Australia, Act for Kids, Benevolent Society, Indigenous Allied Health Australia and CATSINaM. They said child abuse was a serious crime which had a devastating impact on children, family and communities.

“The safety of children should not be politicised or used as a platform to advance a political position,” the statement said.

“It is frustrating and disappointing to hear the Opposition Leader and Senator Price repeating the same claims and calls they made earlier this year, again with no evidence and no credible solutions.

“If any politician, or anyone at all, has any evidence about the sexual abuse of children then they must report it to the authorities.

Continued P5 N

NEWS 05

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

Bamaga’s ‘remote store of the future’ officially open today The new IBIS ‘remote store of the future’ in Bamaga will host its official grand opening today.

Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) confirmed the new store, with an improved, modern look and design, had successfully passed an initial trial ‘soft’ opening period.

The store, which began construction in September 2022, was a first-ever concept store marking a significant step in improving the shopping experience for all remote First Nations communities.

The new Bamaga store included: • bulk buys, Deadly Deals, and an exclusive product range not typically found in remote stores • cutting-edge eMarket kiosks for ordering additional product lines not available in-store • a self-service café with a range of nutritious and healthy meal options for the community, including freshly squeezed orange juice • active promotion of healthy food choices, including

gluten free options, while removing all confectionery from the checkouts • instructional resources such as Grow your own videos and books, enabling community members to cultivate their own produce • eco-friendly shopping trolleys made from recycled milk bottles • bakery, including fresh bread and rolls • supporting local First Nations businesses by providing merchandising space in store • free fruit for children • increased shop floor trading area of approximately 800 square metres – almost double the size of the previous store • new, energy-efficient chiller and freezer refrigeration, with full back-up of refrigeration equipment to prevent loss of products.

• undercover parking and special bays for RV’s and trailers • a unique range and services specifically focused on seniors who live in the community.

CEQ Chief Executive Officer Michael Dykes

M Continued from P4 “These calls for a Royal Commission into the sexual abuse of Aboriginal children have been made without one shred of real evidence being presented.

“They play into the basest negative perceptions of some people about Aboriginal people and communities.

“In April this year, the Australian Child Maltreatment Study revealed the majority of Australians (62 per cent) have experienced at least one type of child abuse or neglect, with domestic violence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse the most common.

“Child abuse is far too prevalent in Australia, full stop.

“Singling out Aboriginal families and communities is harmful and puts ideology before evidence.”

They said the evidence and solutions developed

by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations were clear.

“They prioritise investment in effective, culturally safe supports for families and children before they reach crisis point, through Aboriginal communitycontrolled services,” they said.

“The most effective and immediate action Government can take to make children safe and protect their human rights is to stand up a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner, with the legislated power to investigate and make recommendations on issues impacting our children.

“This will be more effective and more powerful than any Royal Commission.

“We have been calling for a National Commissioner for many years.

“We now call for bipartisan support to make this happen.”

said the new store created an experience for customers that was not currently available in remote communities anywhere in Australia.

“We’re delighted to officially open this ground-breaking new store in Bamaga to continue to provide the best possible service to the local community,” Mr Dykes said.

“By bringing city supermarket-style shopping, healthier food

options, and an array of innovative concepts to Bamaga, CEQ is determined to redefine the retail landscape in the region.

“At CEQ, all our team members live by our vision of Caring, Every day, Always and improving the lives of residents in remote First Nations communities.

“Our aim is for the team and people of Bamaga to be proud of their new store, which

provides a focused range, quality fruit and vegetables, and healthy food options.”

The store also featured HappyOrNot customer feedback kiosks to gauge the success of the Bamaga store’s innovative services.

Mr Dykes said CEQ would use customer feedback to decide which initiatives from the Bamaga store could potentially be rolled out

to other IBIS and ABIS stores across CEQ’s remote store network.

“These new stores show how we are reinvesting in infrastructure to increase capacity, employment, quality and affordability in communities,” he said.

“We would like to thank the Traditional Owners for their continued support for the community in making this happen.”

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The official opening took place at 8.30am this morning with representatives from Ipima Ikaya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Apudthama Land Trust, Bamaga People Indigenous Corporation, and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council in attendance, as well as CEQ Board of Management, CEQ team members, and the wider community of the Northern Peninsula Area.

06 NEWS

Call for Treaty after ‘No’ result

BY CHRISTINE HOWES A Torres Strait leader has called on the Torres Strait to push forward for their own Treaty between the Commonwealth, State and the Torres Strait people.

Yes23 campaign Community Engagement Lead Kenny Bedford spent more than 12 months leading up to the referendum speaking to groups from a broad cross section of Australia, from faith groups to NGOs to corporations, board meetings and community town halls.

“To whoever wanted to hear from me,” he said. “I’ve been one of the key people since before the referendum, working closely with Dean Parkin and others to keep the Voice component of the Uluru Statement from the Heart on the agenda before we switched to the Yes23 campaign.

“I was a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and before that a coconvenor of the Torres Strait Dialogue.

“I have held a long time involvement and advocacy for the recognition of our peoples, and I was committed to seeking the formal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but our attempt has ultimately failed.”

He said now was the

Kenny Bedford. Pic supplied. time for the Torres Strait to pursue their own Treaty.

“The Torres Strait is in a much better and different position to our Aboriginal brothers and sisters,” he said.

“I heard some of us along the way talk about Treaty first.

“Well nothing has ever stopped us pursuing this pathway, I have encouraged it.

“We will lose another opportunity if we don’t move on it.

“We’ve got a Federal government who is committed to it.

“We’ve had a State government who is committed to it.

“We’ve got a Member for Cook who is one of our own.

“We can offer an example of how it can be done by region, or by the nation as a collective, particularly around what we’ve been able to achieve through our land and sea rights,

our geography and our management of Torres Strait Treaty with Papua New Guinea.

“We can have our own Torres Strait Treaty now, all the planets have lined up for us to pursue Treaty, but no one is doing it.”

He said it was time for Aboriginal leaders on the mainland to look to their common ground and regroup.

“There is common ground, this has to be the platform for rebuilding,” he said.

“Everybody understands there’s an issue, there’s a gap.

“And alright, Australians don’t want to recognise us, we’ve missed an important opportunity, that’s gone now, and we’ve got to dust ourselves off and keep moving forward.

“It’s been dealt with, there’s no recognition and no Voice as such.

“It’s now about Treaty and truth, and how do we deal with

this glaring common ground that says what’s going on now doesn’t work?

“The Opposition thinks it won’t work, well what solution do they have?”

He said in terms of the campaign, he particularly wanted to acknowledge the work of Stacey Ketchell and Steve Mam. “Both Torres Strait Islander people who basically took up the challenge across Queensland,” he said.

“One of the things about the referendum is that it brought to the fore a lot of other voices, which was important, and we need to invest in a leadership transition to young people.

“We need to support and make way for those future generations, and that’s not something a long way away, it’s something we’ve got to do now.

“Especially in the Torres Strait, it’s a bigger challenge for us as Torres Strait Islanders to harness that mainland expertise in young people we’ve got, and we don’t do that as well as we should.

“There’s plenty of voices at home too, but we’ve got young people across a lot of professions now, from lawyers to doctors and such.

“How do we build that advocacy and empower them in a way that they can represent us effectively?”

Mer Island health centre staff accommodation ready to go

Staff accommodation redevelopment at the Mer Island Primary Health Care Centre (PHCC) has reached practical completion, with the main primary health care centre redevelopment expected to be completed next month and the full redevelopment, including new carpark, by early 2024.

Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said she was thrilled.

“I’m thrilled we’ve reached this significant milestone for the $13.3 million redevelopment of the Mer Island Primary Healthcare Centre,” she said.

“Mer Island residents deserve a modern, fit-for-purpose facility to receive culturally appropriate and safe healthcare – and that’s

exactly what the redeveloped centre will provide.

“The new staff accommodation has been designed with the island’s weather patterns in mind, and includes water storage and backup electricity generators to ensure staff can continue to support their community during local disasters.

“These works can assure residents in the Torres and Cape region that this government is absolutely committed to maintaining and improving health services for Queenslanders, no matter where they live.”

Local MP Cynthia Lui said she understood the importance of quality infrastructure.

“Better local infrastructure means we can deliver more services closer to home,” she said.

“Investing in primary health care centres such as Mer means people have greater access to quality health care without having to travel far from their home base and support network.

“The Mer Island project includes the replacement of existing staff accommodation at the health centre, with a new 2 x 3-bedroom duplex and a separate 2-bedroom unit.

“This improvement in staff accommodation will ensure the Torres & Cape Hospital and Health Service can continue to attract and retain staff to Mer Island.

“It will also help accommodate a growing range of visiting health professionals delivering more specialised services to the communities.”

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

Long term turtle study results ‘disturbing’

BY DARREN MONCRIEFF & JEN ENOSA A turtle monitoring project in the eastern reaches of the Torres Strait is uncovering some disturbing facts scientists and TOs are desperate to find answers for.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) sea turtle expert Dr Ian Bell has amassed a 40-year body of work in research in these parts.

Twice a year he has teamed up with Traditional Owners in the Torres Strait, and in their most recent trek the team found evidence that has them worried as they have undertaken a study of green-turtle feeding grounds.

What they have found – or what they have not found – is the cause of their concern.

“We’ve seen lots of studies on nesting beaches but that’s a very small part of [their] life,” Dr Bell said.

“The mothers come ashore to lay eggs where they’re tagged and measured but they’re only coming up every three, four, five, six, seven years, and they’re only there for a few nights, so we’re only ever seeing a small sample of the green turtle population when were look at nesting beaches.

“This project is about trying to find out about what’s happening in the green turtle population and in the areas where the adult boys, adult girls and the little juvenile turtles are feeding.

“In the past 20 years we’ve noticed some big problems happening on the nesting beaches, and particularly on Raine Island, which has the highest concentrated population of nesting green turtles on planet Earth – it is so important.”

The Wuthathi and Meriam Nation (Ugar, Mer, Erub) were the Traditional Owners for Raine Island, where work restoring this vital ecosystem has been ongoing.

“We’ve been monitoring (Raine Island) and we’ve been finding that a lot of the eggs aren’t producing the little baby hatchlings, maybe only between 12 – 20 per cent are barely producing hatchlings, and that’s been happening for 20 years or so,” Dr Bell said.

“We used to be able to go out in the feeding grounds and find hundreds and hundreds of those dinner-plate size little turtles, where they’ve come in from the open ocean and into these shallow feeding areas.

“But now we’ve found the number of those little turtles is going down, a lot, and in some areas where we used

to be able to catch [and release] a lot, we haven’t been able to find any.

“We need to know why.

“If we don’t have any of those little turtles obviously we’re not going to have any teenage turtles, and eventually we’re not going to have any adult turtles in the population, so we’re very concerned about what the population is looking like.”

Dr Bell said his work with Traditional Owners was crucial to what they were out to achieve.

“It is so important to have a partnership with local TOs,” he said.

“They know [the turtles’] reach so well, they know where we’re likely to find turtles, their ability to spot turtles in windy, cloudy, or rainy conditions makes it so much better to catch turtles.

“Our process relies on catching a lot of turtles and then putting tags on them, letting them go, [then] six or 12 months later to re-catch them and use maths to determine how many tagged and untagged turtles there are.

“When we do that over multiple years we can tell whether the population is increasing or staying the same.

“With the TO partnership, they can tell us the population and we can share knowledge and use western science.”

Dr Bell said he was optimistic about turtles’ future, but there was still much humans must – and must not – do.

“We’ve seen lots of impacts on turtle populations with coastal development and fishing over the past 200 years,” he said.

“Remember that turtles are born survivors, and they’ve been swimming in the ocean before dinosaurs walked the lands, but the reality is in the past couple of 100 years we’ve managed to push these populations to ‘threatened status’.

“And then we’ve got the bowling ball of climate change rolling toward us, with high incubation temps and sea level rises, and maybe [the] loss of feeding habitats.

“It really is important to look at where the populations are at now, and make good decisions [about] what we need to do for our children and grandchildren.”

Dr Bell encouraged anyone who caught a turtle with tags on them to pass that information onto a ranger group, the TSRA or to QPWS, to help with the work the research team was doing.

Turtle research teams are leading the way in the Torres Strait.

Pic courtesy of Queensland Department of Environment & Science.

07 07

TORRES NEWS NEWS THURSDAY THURSDAY 26 26 OCTOBER OCTOBER 2023 2023 TORRES Advertorial

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Families and communities can access a range of services including parenting programs, relationship counselling, playgroups, and cultural support. The aim is to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of families, children, and young people.

The Queensland Government provides over $45 million per annum in funding for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Services to better support First Nations families across the state.

One couple who have benefitted from the service are Shelly and Henry*. They said that with the help of Family Wellbeing Service workers, they were able to make goals as a couple while Shelly was pregnant and access safe housing before the baby arrived.

Shelly grew up in a small remote community and had a difficult life. There were constant arguments in her family, and she struggled with drugs. Shelly found herself abusing alcohol and fighting a lot at a young age.

Faced with the choice of rehab or jail, Shelly chose rehab as she felt it would allow her to build a better life.

Shortly after meeting her partner in a rehab facility, Shelly and Henry became pregnant with their first child. While this was an exciting time for the young family, Shelly worried about what the future would hold for their baby.

While they loved each other, neither of them knew how to control their anger. Both grew up around violence and abuse and didn’t know what a healthy relationship looked like, but they knew they wanted their baby to have a better life than they did growing up.

Shelly visited her local community health service which encouraged her to reach out to a local Family Wellbeing Service for help.

Shelly and Henry were appointed workers who helped them set individual goals as

well as goals to help them as a couple.

The workers were able to assist the young family with making a successful application for a unit and helped them furnish it for the baby’s arrival.

Shelly attended a parenting course dedicated to new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and Henry attended a men’s group and received counselling to address his anger issues.

“Our arguments were bad.

We never hit each other but we yelled and screamed at each

other,” said Henry.

“We talked to the Family Wellbeing Services workers and then I went to the men’s group.

“They bought me a bike so I could get out of the house for a while to cool down. When I came back, we can talk better.

“I know not to go too long or she will worry about me.”

Family Wellbeing Services were able to connect Shelly to a local playgroup, where she met new mums and made friends.

Henry still attends the men’s group which played a vital role in helping him manage his emotions and become a better father to his new baby.

Since reaching out to the service, Shelly has the confidence to provide a safe and stable environment for her family.

Through the service, Shelly and Henry were able to get the individual support they needed in a safe, non-judgemental, and culturally sensitive way.

For more information on accessing Family Wellbeing Services near you, call 1300 117 095 or visit www.familywellbeingqld.org.au *Not their real names

1072_SEPT23

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Visit familywellbeingqld.org.au or call 1300 117 095.

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08 NEWS

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

Kailang remembered Saturday 23 September at the Belgian Gardens cemetery in Townsville.

Families from the islands and further south to Brisbane gathered to celebrate the beautiful

BY FLORA WARRIA The tombstone unveiling of the late Mrs Kailang Nai (nee Kris) was held on

Cutting of the ribbon by Rizah Kris & Harriet Naawi.

Riazh Kris, Napau Pedro, Barbara Levi, Louisa Pedro, Gertie Kris (nee Pedro), Maria Loto’aniu (nee Kris) & Harriet Naawi (nee Kris).

Families around the new tombstone.

Kailang Nai’s (nee Kris) daughters Pearl & Whitney Nai.

life of their loved one.

The celebration was followed by a traditional Ailan feast and dance which went well into the night.

The headstone.

Pics supplied.

The procession.

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09

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

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10

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

YUMI College News

TA G A I S TAT E C O L L E G E Welcome to the final term of the 2023 school year. I hope the break was an enjoyable one with family and friends as we count down to a busy end of term ahead. There will be many end-of-year presentations, awards nights, graduations, report cards, Christmas concerts, P&C AGMs, and class allocations for the next year. Please reach out to the college to stay in touch with the end of year events.

Koeyma eso Suberia and all involved continuing with this critical work.

Let’s Celebrate Literacy Our students literacy learning continues to improve along with the system design and implementation across primary school. I encourage you to talk to your childs teacher about their progress.

Language Forum Executive Principal - Michael Ward Greetings to all across our college community.

Our school year is rapidly drawing to a close with only five weeks remaining until we break up for Christmas holidays on Friday 1st December. This will be a busy time, and so I encourage all of our college families to encourage your children to be at school every day during this important time as our staff undertake important components of the learning program that will consolidate student progress. Every day counts!

This Friday October 27th, is World Teachers’ Day. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognise our teaching staff across the college for their dedication and hard work.

Tagai State College is proud to be supporting a large number of local staff to upgrade their qualifications to become registered teachers.

This forms a critical part of our strategy to grow our own workforce and build a bright future for education in the Torres Strait. The uptake in this program has been fantastic and I was really pleased earlier this year to obtain a dedicated coordinator based with us here at the Tagai offices.

Our graduating students in year 12 will complete their years of formal schooling very soon on 17th November – look out for the usual reports and photos here in the Torres News. I know our students are pursuing a range of pathways into the workforce, further study or training. We wish each one all the very best and God’s blessings as they embark on this new chapter of life. I challenge each one to be a lifelong learner, to value curiosity, be generous with others and dream big! The college executive extend our appreciation to all staff who have worked with our graduating students right through their education journey from Kindy to year 12 and to our parents and families who have partnered with us to support our young people.

It was my great pleasure recently, to host our Heads of Campus and other college leaders on Thursday Island for our semester two forum. Special guests included the presidents of our three professional associations for school leaders in Queensland.This provided a great opportunity to tell our story and advocate for the unique needs and challenges of education in the Torres Strait, but also to celebrate our strengths and share these with the wider world of education. During our time together we were able to finalise our focus priorities for 2024 and review our progress towards the vision of rewriting the history of education in the Torres Strait.This will be informed by the recent college review and developed into a plan endorsed by our valued partners in TSIREC.I will share with you all, some further details of our 2024 priorities in a future edition of this paper.

On Saturday 14 October, seventeen of our Language and Culture educators came together at the Language and Culture Centre at Waybeni Koey Ngurpay Mudh. The session was facilitated by Suberia Bowie, Principal Project Manager, Kaylene Chippendale HOD Curriculum and Keith Pabai who was the master of ceremonies during the event.

Head of School - Yolanda McLean

More independent readers

Fluency is our next improvement work

The time spent in these collaborative sessions was more than just a strategic planning exercise; it was a journey of self-discovery and communal understanding. Through robust dialogue and thoughtful reflection, we achieved a level of clarity that will guide our collective efforts toward a future marked by continuous improvement.

The purpose of bringing everyone together was to provide an opportunity for the Language Teacher Coordinators to network and share teaching strategies and resources.

Leitha Assan a representative of the National & International Strategy for First Nation Language Revitalisation who also sits on the National Board for International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) discussed the commitment from the Federal Government to the revitalisation and maintenance of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Languages in Australia.

Leitha discussed the strategic direction that the Federal Government was taking to revitalise First Nations Languages. John Morseu, The project officer from Torres Strait Languages Association provided un update of the work that they are doing.

Most of the Language Teacher Coordinators expressed their gratitude for the Language forum and expressed how important it was to revitalise and maintain First Nations’ Language in their communities especially within communities where there are few fluent speakers.

570 students making spelling progress

Charting Tagai’s Course: A Collaborative Vision for 2024 The collaborative spirit was palpable as we brought together the Heads of Campus and TSIREC board members to collectively identify the key areas for improvement and growth in the coming year. These workshops provided a unique platform for diverse perspectives to converge, fostering a rich tapestry of ideas and insights.

One of the pivotal aspects of our discussions was the review of our college purpose statement. We recognised the importance of aligning our purpose with the essence of our local community, leading us to embrace the Masig Statement - Malungu Yangu Wakay:

2024 Language Forum

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during my time working on campus sites across the college in the weeks ahead.

Michael Ward, Executive Principal

The Voice from the deep. This alignment ensures that our educational endeavors resonate with the values and aspirations embedded in the fabric of our community.

2024 Leaders Forum

As we unveil Tagai’s 2024 Annual Improvement Plan, we invite each of you to take pride in the fact that our educational community is committed to the growth and success of every individual within it. The plan, shaped by the voices of many, is a testament to our shared vision “Navigating Yumi to a Successful Future.”

We are embarking on a journey of educational excellence with renewed vigor. The collaboration witnessed during the planning process serves as a powerful reminder that it takes a village to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation.

I extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to this process and look forward to the exciting opportunities and achievements that lie ahead for Tagai State College.

11

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

use while learning all about animals. From this we have been writing animal reports.

Mabuygiw Ngurpay Lag Head of Campus Tanya McGaughey Term 3 Attendance - 44 Students Enrolled Current

72% (32 Students)

Target Goal

90% (40 Students)

Literacy This term we have hit the ground running. With not much time until the year is over, students and staff at Mabuygiw campus have been focused on reading, spelling and writing every day.

We have been putting our reading skills to good

It has been amazing to see the confidence our students have and their willingness to have a go, even when the work is challenging.

Visit from Queensland Ambulance Service We were privileged last week to host a visit by the Queensland Ambulance Service and its crew. Ms. Deidre Whap gifted the students with a new book titled “What Paramedics Do” to our library.

Our teachers have been analysing our latest results in reading and spelling to monitor growth and develop plans to best support our students.

Positive Culture for Learning Week 3 – I am RESPONSIBLE. I listen to and follow directions. I use materials responsibly.

Week 4 – I am SAFE. I stay in approved areas.

Students had the opportunity to observe the ambulance from a closer perspective. We commemorated Mrs. Tamara Whap, a dedicated volunteer who has been contributing to emergency services for a decade. Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication.

Positive Culture for Learning Our students have been focussing on being respectful in all situations. Most recently we have been working on being responsible and showing our peers how to behave correctly by, modelling appropriate behaviour, ignoring unacceptable behaviour and reminding friends who need help.

Kadhego Ngurpay Lag A/Head of Campus Lisa Hardy Term 3 Attendance - 81 Students Enrolled Current

52% (42 students)

Target Goal

90% (73 Students)

Literacy At Kadhego Ngurpay Lag the staff and students have continued with a strong focus on literacy learning. PLD lessons run every morning across all classrooms.

Our Dawa and Urugubaw students have been enjoying picture books to develop their literacy skills and using these picture books to enhance their learning in other areas.

Dauan Ngurpay Lag Head of Campus Ben Maplas

Dauan’s Delightful Ds and Beyond Large numbers of students achieving Ds may seem a strange thing to celebrate. Ds are not associated with success and confidence, but this is precisely what is happening at Dauan Ngurpay Lag. Rewind nearly two years and our students were achieving Ds, not Delightful Ds, but dispiriting Ds. Students lacked self-belief, students worked within themselves, students were unable to imagine what success looked like. Writing was hard, if it was attempted at all. After all, why try when you feel that you won’t get anywhere. Behaviours throughout the campus were worrying. Students were

Sports Day Friday the 15th of September was all about sports!

Our students gathered around and got their game faces on, sharing their spirit of sportsmanship. It was a great afternoon of fun and sportsmanship.

We certainly have some budding athletes.

constantly bickering, engaging in misguided actions in a jostle for any feeling of success.

What do we know? We know that everyone wants to feel they are achieving. But how do you achieve, if you don’t believe? How do you achieve, if a D is all you will be?

The initial stages were not just dispiriting for students. Their teachers felt it too. Dedicated professionals who want our children to have the world, but too had self-doubts, “Are we making a difference?” However, through hard work and determination, and huge amounts of encouragement, gradually a pencil was added to paper … “just a mark.

You’ve got this”. Gradually, the marks turned into words.

Gradually, the words turned into sentences. Gradually, sentences into paragraphs, ideas into actions, actions into desire. Suddenly, it hits, screams of frustration have been replaced by screams of “five more minutes Miss … please!”

We are told that Cs, Bs and As are the only ways success is judged. We are looking beyond the Ds, we have data that points to our possible future. Below is our most recent progress data, from Tagai State College’s focus on literacy.

What is evident is that our students who attend regularly are growing. Their behaviours are improving. We know our kids are clever. They can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Not just across our region, but across the globe.

It is in attending school each day, and a supportive teaching team (which include supportive parents), that have allowed these students the opportunity to learn, the opportunity to challenge themselves, the opportunity to see themselves in another light.

They are re-writing their educational history, but it takes time and effort. Our kids are still achieving Ds, but they are Delightful Ds. Ds that show growth, Ds that are pushing into the next level. These are no longer Ds of discouragement.

They are cobblestones on the pathway to success. The road to Cs, Bs, As and beyond. They are Ds that offer encouragement, Ds that are built on a growth mindset, Ds built on their personal stories of successes.

12 GATHERING VOICES FESTIVAL

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

Youth shine at Gathering Voices

Torres Strait youth were the focus of last week’s Gathering Voices Media & Arts Festival on Waiben last week.

Media organisations, movie-makers, singers, dancers, chefs, artists and musicians joined together for 12 separate events over five days – here’s just some of what happened!

Dance workshops.

Barefoot ballerinas.

Dance workshops.

Barefoot ballerinas.

Barefoot ballerinas.

Pic courtesy of Nadja Mack.

Ailan Life Photo Competition ENTER & WIN! We want to see your pic showing your Ailan Life!

Youth Arts Day. Pics by kids.

Email your pic along with your name, phone number and a brief description of the pic to ads@torres.news

Each month our proud sponsor CEQ will pick their favourite Ailan Life entry and the winner will receive a $150 GIFT CARD*to use at any CEQ store!

Multiple entries may be submitted, but every entry (or entrant) may not be published. All pics submitted will be considered in the draw for the monthly gift voucher. Winners of the CEQ Ailan Life competition are determined by CEQ. Entries to the Ailan Life photo competition may be used by the CEQ marketing/promotions team as background images for store promotions such as posters, digital noticeboard specials, counter-facing displays (POS) screens, and/or on their website and social media. Entries may also be used in-store to promote the ‘Ailan Life’ competition.

Youth Arts Day. Pics by kids.

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

Nornie brings her best kai kai home to Waiben As a small girl Nornie Bero could never have imagined she would be a culinary pioneer, owning and operating her own internationally acclaimed restaurant after years abroad tasting cultures. Last week she was finally able to bring her skills and knowledge home to the Torres Strait …

STORY & PICS BY CARLI WILLIS When Nornie Bero was a small girl she loved walking along the coral reefs that seemed to extend for miles surrounding her island home in the Torres Strait.

Originally from Mer, she lived for a time on Moa Island – population 400 people – and then in Tamwoy Town on Waiben.

On the beaches, overseeing the crystal clear blue waters of the Straits, she’d dig her feet into the sand to feel the pippies between her toes.

“I used to skip confirmation classes, just to go out every morning and catch fresh octopus,” she said.

“Then [I’d] come back and pickle it.”

On those peaceful shores, thousands of kilometres from the nearest capital city, Nornie never imagined she would become an internationally acclaimed chef with a bustling restaurant in the heart of the country’s food capital.

The dream, she said she now realised every day, stemmed from her love of family, food and culture.

Her Mabu Mabu, or ‘help yourself’ in Meriam Mer language, restaurant started as a condiment business, which quickly took off.

After years of growing her island cuisine empire in Naarm (Melbourne), and travelling the globe to taste different cultures, she brought her skills home to share for the first time last week.

“It’s [about inspiring] the next generation of those kids [to believe] that they have something,” she said.

“It’s such an honour to be able to come back home and bring the skills I’ve collected when I’ve been away.

“The next generation are going to be the ones lead us into the future and I love being a part of that.

“It’s really great to showcase that

Indigenous people have cuisine and we can do it really well.”

She said it seemed fitting her business, which was five-years-old and employed 80 staff, could come home to Zenadth Kes to share that dining experience and celebrate.

She said developing a menu inspired by her culture, and seasoned with her experiences gathered abroad, was like, “walking through a bit of my childhood growing up here”.

Meriam Elder Betty Tekahika (Mabo) was overcome with emotion at The Taste of Mabu Mabu event, held at the bowls club on Waiben on Saturday afternoon.

“I just want to say this from inside my heart, for how proud I am for this girl,” she said.

“It makes us proud [here in] this region and the Torres Strait – not only us, but [all] Australians.

“Big esso – thank you – Nornie girl to you and your crew.”

She said she was especially proud to see Nornie showcase her skills at home.

Nornie sourced local mackerel and crayfish to express her passion for native foods harvest, in a ‘farm-totable’ experience.

“We’ve got some of the best painted crays that come out of our beautiful waters here,” she said.

But she said to bring the full Mabu Mabu experience, she had also sourced some of her produce from Aboriginalowned businesses down south.

“We basically took over a whole plane to bring up all of our produce so you guys can have a little bit of a flavour from Melbourne,” she said.

She also brought her Naarm team with her, and said it meant a lot for them to experience the places, people and culture she grew up in.

“It’s been an amazing experience for them to be able to experience a whole other culture that they don’t get to see much in Melbourne,” she said.

She said events like this helped break down barriers between remote regions and the big cities.

“To show that we can actually be a part of more than just our own communities,” she said.

“We have something to offer a lot of people.

“When a kid comes up to you and goes, my mum likes watching you on TV and I want to be a chef one day… that is like the biggest proudest moment.”

GATHERING VOICES FESTIVAL 13

Island Stars Dancers perform at a Regional Arts Services Network (RASN’s) event catered for by Mabu Mabu at the Gathering Voices Arts & Media Festival.

Betty Tekahika (Mabo).

A TORRES NEWS LIFTOUT INFORMATION FEATURE

EDUCATION “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela.

Nornie Bero.

To advertise in our Education feature on Thursday 9 November issue please email ads@torres.news or call 0419 828 639

14 GATHERING VOICES FESTIVAL THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS Film lovers preview Salty Monkey’s latest hit YOUTH ARTS DAY PICS BY CARLI WILLIS

STORY & PIC CARLI WILLIS Friday night’s Zenadth Kes Film Festival, in ANZAC Park, was not to be missed for film lovers.

One of several Torres Strait Islander creatives whose videos were shown on the night were Salty Monkeys.

Founder Dennis Fay (pictured) said they were excited to preview their latest Torres Strait Islands Tours episode to the community.

He said the first Salty Monkeys episode became a catalyst for what would become

so much more than a media organisation.

“We also now do services, and we do youth engagement and the environment as well,” he said. “We’re in a partnership with the Torres Strait Island

Regional Council (TSIRC) to travel around the Torres Strait and look at how we can address the issue of marine debris and ghost nets.”

He said while the earliest episodes of Salty Monkeys were about spear fishing with mates and having fun, they have since evolved into so much more.

Incorporating a variety of artists, causes and local business, he said they were more like mini-documentaries about different aspects of the Torres Strait. “[They are about] our beautiful home, the Torres Strait Islands, the people and the

TN0461 • 09/02/23

culture,” he said “In [this new] episode, we travelled to the Western islands.

“We got to meet some of the commercial divers, and have a bit of a yarn with what they do and [we] actually get to see what they do.”

He said the episode aired to the world on YouTube on Tuesday this week.

“I think showing it through the videos, and what we have today, really showcases what we have to the world,” he said.

“It is a beautiful place to live.”

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IMPORTANT NOTE: We will ALWAYS meet any QANTAS and Skytrans flight from Cairns – should extra services be scheduled QF = QANTAS WATER TAXIS AND CHARTERS AVAILABLE QN =MUST SKYTRANS (eg school holidays) we will add services that may be outside this schedule.

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GATHERING VOICES FESTIVAL 15

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

Saturday night’s truly grand finale concert

BY DARREN MONCRIEFF & SYLVIA TABUA Christine Anu came home to perform her signature tune and Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island singer Kee’ahn described her time on Waiben as a “full circle” moment when they were special guests amongst many for the Gathering Voices Festival grand finale concert on Saturday night.

The pair were at home with a host of well-known and established artists in the performing arts and

media industry who came for the Festival.

The Inspiring Voices concert was held at ANZAC Park.

Local acts including Daniella Williams, Jack Bani, Northern Xposure, and Joey Tapau were a great hit with the crowd.

Anu, who took Warumpi Band’s My Island Home into the mainstream, urged the crowd to join her in singing the famous song.

“I wanted to sing my heart out for those throughout the Torres Strait – East and Central and Western islands,” she said.

She brought with Jack Bani.

Christine Anu & daughter Zipporah. her some sage words of advice for the many youngsters in the crowd.

“A message I have to all ages is ‘You gotta see it to be it’ and at the same time use your

voices as well,” she said.

“Even though the referendum said ‘No’ you still have your story, so tell it.”

On Friday Kee’ahn engaged with children

at the Youth Arts Day before performing on Saturday night.

“I had the opportunity with the Tagai primary kids and the children’s choir, the Years 2 to 4, where they had learnt some of my songs and that was really beautiful,” she said. “Care for Country was a song of mine and they killed it, it was so good, good energy and good spirit.”

Kee’ahn performed some of her original music on stage.

“I got to perform some of my songs and more upbeat versions,” she said.

“To have that connection to family

PICS SYLVIA TABUA & CARLI WILLIS

and that spirit, I wanted to write songs and sing for community and to sing with the young community.

“Collaborating with our young ones is so important, too – nothing can stop you, the Elders and that connection gives you strength to do whatever you want to do, I reckon.”

But it was the return home to her people’s Country that sealed the deal for Kee’ahn.

“I think for me this felt like a full-circle moment,” she said.

“I was at kindy here with my Mum; my grandmother grew up here, and just getting to sing with kids was that full-circle moment.

“Being able to connect with family again was so special.”

More on the Gathering Voices Arts & Media Festival next week J

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Positions Vacant POSITION VACANT – NDIS SUPPORT COORDINATOR Servicing Northern Peninsula Region and based in our Thursday Island office.

Permanent – Part Time 20 hours/week Salary: SCHADS AWARD Level 3.1 Xtremecare Australia (XCA) is a NDIS Registered service provider, servicing rural and remote communities in the Cape Region and the Torres Strait Region. We are recruiting an NDIS Support Coordinator who will assist and support our NDIS participants with the implementation of NDIS services suitable to their needs. You will be required to work collaboratively with their families, carers, service providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

This position includes: • • • • •

Working hours are 5 hours per/day (Monday-Thursday) Internal Support Coordination training and daily support provided Office space (Thursday Island) and work equipment provided Regular travel/Community visits via Ferry to Bamaga required Remote Incentives included – Additional Leave and Travel Allowances

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Provide support and assistance to NDIS participants with the implementation of their NDIS plan, linking them to supports and services and monitoring provider service delivery.

Complete plan review reports, support plans, case notes, and other relevant reporting requirements.

Document case notes, reports, and evidence in our client information management system (Careview).

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Work closely with Plan Managers and NDIA in managing and monitoring participants NDIS plan funding.

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SPORT 17

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

Thugerr Warriors ‘historic’ win at Bindal comp STORY & PIC BY ALF WILSON Last week’s exciting, nailbiting win by Thugerr Warriors at north Queensland’s biggest Allblacks rugby league carnival was “an historic sporting event” for Saibai Island, local Councillor Conwell Tabuai says.

Thugerr Warriors defeated Burdekin Delta Dolphins 20-19 in the Bindal Sharks All Blacks Rugby League Carnival grand final at the Townsville Sports Reserve on Sunday 15 October.

The Saibai side went into the competition under the radar of many of their opponents at the carnival, which was contested by 24 men’s and eight women’s sides.

They triumphed in the decider but did seal their victory until a try in the final 30 seconds was converted after the siren had sounded.

Thugerr Warriors fans were

overjoyed with the victory and celebrated in style, with many swamping the players on the field.

Cr Tabuai said it was a historic and significant win for the island and proud Saibai Islanders and other supporters living around the Torres Strait and beyond.

“The team had never previously won a carnival and had contested others such as the Torres Cup (now Zenadth Kes), the Island of Origin, in Cairns and others,” he said.

“We had reached finals but never won one.

“We were underdogs and people up here everywhere and on other islands watched the win on live stream and were very happy.

“Many people have extended family links with Saibai also and were delighted.”

There have been no official celebrations on the island to date out of respect for sorry business.

Rugby 7s team success STORY AND PICS

BY TARI SAGIGI Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s newly formed rugby union Sevens team did very well at the Far North Queensland School 7s tournament in Cairns earlier this month.

It was the first tournament of its kind they have played in.

The team comprised primarily of rugby league players, all of whom were new to the fast-paced 7s format, but made an impressive debut showcasing

their athleticism and adaptability to the different game.

From a place where rugby league reigns supreme, a Torres Strait rugby 7s team was a rarity at this tournament.

That made no difference as the team’s performances improved over the tournament and they secured a spot in the Plate final after clinching two wins from three games.

While they fell just short, it gave the team confidence and they have set their sights on the

2024 tournament.

Among the notable mentions in play were Bob Bowie, Kazuhiro Sagigi, Serai See Kee and Ratu Volavola, all of whom were debutants and displayed an innate sense of the game and a prowess on and off the ball.

“Their ability to transfer their (rugby) league skills to achieve success in the 7s format quickly is nothing short of remarkable,” coach David Graham said.

“What an extraordinary group of young people.”

OLSH’s Rugby Sevens team played well at the 7s tournament.

Action from the OLSH team at the FNQ School 7s tournament.

Winning men’s side Thugerr Warriors.

Crusaders play Murri Carnival

BY DARREN MONCRIEFF A junior rugby league program aiming to empower young people from Cape York and the Torres Strait in football and culture saw three of its graduates win rep jerseys at the biggest footy carnival in Queensland earlier this month.

Cairns Crusaders was a sports-based program led by Elia Ware and Bernard Sabadi-Nona.

In September, they took a under-14s side to play at the Queensland Murri Carnival.

Teenagers Frank Gela, Tyler Oliver and Brandon Addo were later invited to play for a Queensland Murri representative team.

The youngsters acquitted themselves well at the event.

Out of the 17 teams in their age division, they placed fourth – reward for a lot of hard work by the kids and their mentors within the group.

“That was a pretty good outcome, the boys did pretty well,” Bernard said.

“I’m mostly proud of the boys’ efforts, through some adversity when gastro went through the team, they backed each other and ensured they did their families back home proud by giving their all.

“It was great to see all the players play some of their best footy we’ve seen them play, and that such an opportunity brings that out of them, they can take lessons away about becoming a better player and person.”

Including the word ‘Cairns’ in their name, Bernard said, was a way to bring the many clans and tribes from Cairns, Cape York, the NPA and the Torres Strait together.

“Our region is a melting pot of cultures and tribes, so we went with a neutral name – Cairns Crusaders,” he said.

“It’s neutral name and we use as a motto United we stand, divided we fall.”

Torres Sabatino monsters the opposition’s defence.

Pic by Lewis Bin Doraho.

But he said it was not all just about footy.

“We saw an opportunity for the team to do more than just learn about the game but also in their culture and their attitudes,” he said.

“The players [are] heavily involved in all of it – the fundraising efforts, cooking barbecues, selling raffle tickets, and volunteering at local events.

“We engaged cultural Elders in the community to impart cultural skills and knowledge to the boys such as Kup Murri cooking so they could sell dampers, and Kunjur men’s group to help them make cultural artefacts they could then raffle off.

“The boys certainly worked hard to earn their way down to the carnival.”

He said none of it was possible without community support.

“We had great support from local businesses and organisations such as the awesome Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) organisation [who helped] the team in many ways,” he said.

“And Djarragun College for their support with the use of their school bus for our trip.

“Also some great First Nations artists donated their artworks for our team’s apparel design and for prizes in our raffles; artists such as Bernard Singleton jnr and Laurie Nona, whose artworks on the team apparel represented the region and people.”

18 SPORT

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023 TORRES NEWS

Torres teams play well at Gordonvale carnival

BY ALF WILSON PICS BY CHRISTINE HOWES

Aragun Warriors.

Mulga United.

Torres Strait sides Paga Panthers, Aragun Warriors and Mulga United all performed well in reaching the final day of Gordonvale’s Indigenous Rugby League Carnival before they were eliminated last weekend.

The Richard Turner Memorial side from Innisfail defeated Dirringhi in Sunday’s prestigious Cup grand final, contested at Alley Park by 24 men’s teams.

The top eight teams on points after the qualifying rounds competed in quarter and semi finals.

Teams which finished eighth to 16th competed in quarter finals and semi finals in the plate division, which NQ Warriors went on to win in their grand final.

Paga Panthers fielded a star-studded line up which included “Deadly” Dudley Dotoi, speedster Stanley Anau, Bernard Lewis, Budhagi Gibuma, Stanley Daniel and Ado Waianga.

Dudley shone for the Townsville Blackhawks side which won the recent Colts Statewide grand final this year, while Bernard was a Northern

Pride player, and Ado kicked a goal after the siren for Bindal winners Thugerr Warriors in Townsville the week before. Budhagi was a premer Allblacks carnival forward who was much sought after by teams.

Aragun Warriors was coached by Gerald Bowie and captained by veteran Tremayne Bowie, and also included champion carnival player Maipele Morseu and Jordon Ketchell.

Mulga United had the services of quality players George Morseu, Jacob Mene and Jafar Cook.

On Sunday Aragun Warriors were the first to go, followed by Cup quarter finalists Paga Panthers, who were defeated by Dirringhi, and Mulga United, who lost to the Harley Richardson Memorial side.

A large crowd turned out to watch the carnival, which was well run and growing in stature every year.

Many football fans watched games on live stream, all of whom were warned to beware of ‘spammers’ trying to ‘friend’ them, and offering fake paid links to the live stream, which was free.

More pics opposite P19 N

Argun Warriors crew.

Paga Panthers.

Mulga United crew.

Paga Panthers crew.

SPORT 19

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

Kooris or Murris? Carnival quandary for Barba

BY ALF WILSON

NRL premiership player Ben Barba has completed a rare double in playing for the winning teams at the Queensland Murri Carnival (QMC) and the NSW Koori Knockout.

Barba starred for the Michael Purcell Memorial side, who defeated Darkies Connection 26-16, to win the 2023 QMC at

M Pics continued from P18

Redcliffe’s Dolphins Stadium earlier this month.

A week later, he suited up for Walgett Aboriginal Connection, who defeated Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers 22-12 in the Koori Knockout final.

After several years of hibernation, last year the NRL reinstated the Koori-Murri Interstate Challenge that pits the winners of the Koori Knockout against the winners of the QMC.

Therein lies the quandary: having played for both winning teams Barba has a decision to make – who to play for?

The other option available to him was to not play at all.

Legendary former Cowboys back Matty Bowen was a teammate of Barba’s at the QMC and said he still had a high-level of skill.

“Benny played in a few backline positions during the Murri carnival and was

outstanding,” Bowen said.

“I didn’t line up at the Koori Knockout but I saw he was in the winning Walgett team – what a great effort.”

Roy Baira, who coached the Townsville Blackhawks to a convincing win the recent Queensland Cup Colts premiership and coach of Badu side Kulipyam, also praised Barba.

“Ben is one of the best and most skilful

players in the world,” he said.

Barba played 167 NRL games and was the 2012 Dally M medallist for the league’s best and fairest player.

He represented in the Indigenous All-Stars team six times and the Prime Minister’s XIII once. He also played 34 games for St Helen’s in English Superleague (2017-18) and four for French Club Toulon (2017).

Paga Panthers against Northern United on Saturday morning.

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Ben Barba in Walgett colours at the Koori Knockout. Pic supplied.

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THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2023

Malu Kiwai ready to defend Cup

Crusaders’ curtain-raiser

BY DARREN MONCRIEFF Malu Kiwai will know by around 10am tomorrow just how strong the ‘hunt’ for their title is going to be when the 2023 Dan Ropeyarn Carnival kicks off at Bamaga.

Malu Kiwai’s ‘Bat Squad’ – in their unmissable red colours – from Boigu Island, helped them to win last year’s carnival and, as every previous year’s winners would know, should feel the pressure as the most hunted ‘team to beat’ over the weekend.

The side defeated Napranum Bulldogs 44-10 in last year’s all-local final.

Malu Kiwai was one of 14 men’s team from across the Torres Strait and NPA at the popular carnival, where the stakes were high and community pride was on the line. They begin their title defence at 9am tomorrow against Goemu Bau Raiders, winners of the 2023 Island of Origin and will be back up a few hours later against Sawmill Raiders.

This year’s premiers of the NPA Regional Rugby League Alau Eagles get their first look-in tomorrow at 1.30pm against Thurud Wap. The team they beat in the final, the New Mapoon Warriors, kick-off their campaign at 11am against Wuthathi Brothers.

2022 Queensland Murri Carnival winners will field Erub United 1 and 2 and have the experience of Jono Rueben, this year’s Queensland Cup leading tryscorer, in their ranks. Earlier this year Erub unsuccessfully challenged the 2022 Koori Knockout winners, Newcastle All Blacks, at Beenleigh, near Brisbane.

TI Wahmere will carry the hopes of Waiben at Bamaga.

Members of the Cape York Crusaders team with Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area connections at Cazaly’s Stadium.

STORY AND PIC CHRISTINE HOWES Five young Torres Strait and NPA girls had a unique opportunity to play in a curtain-raiser game before the first ALFW premiership game was held at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns last Friday night.

The Cape York Crusaders team played a fixture against a representative Cairns side before the AFLW game between Hawthorn and Richmond.

AFL Cape York House for

Girls boarding manager and support staff for the Crusader program Sean Hunter said it was exciting to be there.

“The Cairns team are probably more advanced, given they play regular football, but we play for one another,” he said.

“For our people it’s an opportunity to represent who they are and where they’re from, and we definitely play a tough brand of football, so that holds us in good stead.

“I think the girls are really positive, switched on and they

should give it a really red-hot crack.”

Assistant coach Luana Healey said the girls were chosen as part of the next step from a carnival held earlier this year.

She said as a former Crusader, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait connections across the Cape herself, it was humbling to be able to support the girls as they took this opportunity.

“Back when I was playing there wasn’t this pathway,” she said.

“So the fact that the girls can

play today and then watch the game afterwards and see directly what they can do, that’s very exciting.

“At the end of the day, it’s just connections – you can remove the footy aspect because it’s more than a game with us, it’s coming together and making these lifelong connections that you can always fall back on.

“If we can inspire the next younger cohort of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females, then that’s a bonus as well.”

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