Torres News_Edition 114_25 January 2024

Thursday, 25 January 2024

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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New students welcome 2024

With a smile a mile wide, Yonte’a Ketchell clearly enjoyed her first day of Kindy at Tagai on Monday this week.

Dozens of excited youngsters joined her as students across all grades each took their next step into their education future, many with their parents and siblings in tow.

More pics PAGE 4 N

INSIDE

Calls for Telstra meeting after prolonged outage An urgent meeting with Telstra has been called for by Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch after a 40-hour outage across Cape York and parts of the Torres Strait meant some residents were unable to call emergency number Triple ‘0’.

“It does highlight the fact that we’re reliant on a single line of communication, this has been a problem now for quite a few years,” Mr Entsch said.

Continued on P3 N

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02 NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS 2024 NAIDOC Week theme announced

‘KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD & PROUD’

This year’s NAIDOC theme, chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning!

Blak, Loud & Proud in honour of the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.

National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Aunty Lynette (Dr) Riley said they had chosen fire as a symbol of

connection to Country, to each other and to tradition.

“The resilience of mob, our shared experiences, collective memories and kinship is a source of tremendous pride,” she said.

“We honour the flame of the fire, kindling the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment

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to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.

“This year’s theme is a clarion call to continued unity and solidarity for all Australians to come together and celebrate.”

Committee CoChair, Steven Satour said Blak, Loud, and Proud encapsulated an unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity.

“Empowering us to stand tall in our heritage and assert our place in the modern world,” he said.

“This theme calls for a reclamation of our narratives, an amplification of our voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.”

The Federal Government has also announced the opening of $1.7 million in grants to support local communities and organisations to celebrate 2024 NAIDOC Week from 7-14 July.

First Nations communities, registered businesses, schools and

local governments are all encouraged to apply for funding to run an activity or event that directly relates to the 2024 NAIDOC theme including; • arts based activities, including painting, dancing, crafts and storytelling; • family fun days and community activities; • cultural and Elders activities; • NAIDOC-themed sporting activities or competitions, or • activities that actively promote Reconciliation.

The grants and the application process would be managed by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) with two tiers available in 2024: small scale grants for up to $10,000 and large scale grants for between $10,001 and $50,000.

For more information and to apply for a NAIDOC Local Grant, visit grants.gov.au and submit an application before closing at 3pm

AEDT on Thursday 22 February 2024.

For more information on the history of NAIDOC Week and to learn more about this year’s theme, visit www. naidoc.org.au

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HERE For more information Call 0419 828 639 Email ads@torres.news

NEWS 03

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

Entsch calls on Telstra to find some alternatives

BY CARLI WILLIS

4G outages on Saturday 20 January at 11.15am.

Image supplied

by Telstra.

M From Page 1 Mr Entsch said he has asked Telstra executives for an urgent meeting, to be held in his office next Friday.

“I’ve also asked [them] to come in with some alternatives that are going to help to address the problem,” he said.

Telstra’s North Queensland Regional General Manager Rachel Cliffe apologised for the outage and said the cause was a direct lightning strike to equipment at its Coen station.

“No amount of maintenance and pre-maintenance is going to necessarily guard you against that,” she said.

“We have a generator on site, we have fuel, we have mains power typically, but that direct lightning strike actually affected the electrical equipment in the exchange itself.

“We do apologise to our customers for the experience they’ve had with telecommunication services with Telstra over [the weekend].”

Ms Cliffe said 17 mobile sites and 96 ADSL customers were affected.

In the Torres Strait, mobile services failed at 6pm on Friday, however calls to Triple ‘0’, satellite-enabled SOS, wi-fi and fixed services continued to work until 1pm on Saturday.

Ms Cliffe said she could not explain why some services continued to work for 19 hours past the lightning strike.

She said bad weather had made it difficult to attend the site to do the repairs, prolonging the outage. “[On] Friday night, we had one of our alarms indicate we had a transmission issue, which was affecting a number of sites across Cape York,” Ms Cliffe said.

“Because of the scale of the outage, we stood up our major incident management team.

“Unfortunately we were unable to fly with a helicopter because of the weather, and we were unable to access Coen because of flooded roads.

“However, the helicopter hire

Telstra took down the tower on Waiben and rebuilt it to be more resilient.

Pic by Carli Willis.

Telstra is talking to Starlink about the possibility of using it as a backup to enable emergency calls via satellite during unavoidable outages.

Pics supplied. company indicated the weather was a lot more favourable [on Sunday] to fly.”

She said services were restored in full by 9.24am on Sunday morning.

She said Telstra prioritised responses to faults in First Nations communities and communities where there were fewer providers.

“A lot of First Nations communities rely heavily on their mobile and may not have a home phone connected,” she said.

The Queensland Ambulance service said they were not aware of any service-related issues due to the outage.

Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service said some fixed services at their facilities were affected, but a spokesperson said they had otherwise continued as usual.

“Telstra

communication service outages, depending on their extent, may affect community efforts to contact individual hospitals and primary healthcare centres by phone or email,” they said.

“However, health services within individual facilities always continue to be delivered as usual.

“Individual health service facilities have emergency management plans in place to manage such situations.

“Emergency communication channels are in place using satellite phones as needed to replace any affected mobile and landline telephone channels.”

Solutions needed Mr Entsch said he had renewed calls for a secondary fibre optic cable to run to the northernmost regions.

“[If] one of these transmitters knocks out it basically shuts the whole system down,” he said.

“Given that Telstra is the dominant provider up there, I think they certainly have an obligation [to] look at other alternatives.

“One of the alternatives is a second fibre optic cable and I have in the past spoken about the possibility of even an undersea cable that connects them to Darwin.”

He said running a second cable to the region would mean there was back-up.

“I understand, talking to them, that they’ve actually recently run one from Burketown to Normanton,” he said.

“I asked the question as to what would be required to now extend that from Normanton up the west coast, to places like Weipa or wherever.

“[Telstra] have also been talking about the possibility of accessing Starlink in emergency.”

Ms Cliffe said she was aware Starlink services were unaffected during the recent weather.

In late 2022 and mid 2023, Telstra announced their intention to progress commercial relationships with Low Earth Orbiting satellite providers OneWeb and Starlink to help improve connectivity in remote areas.

Ms Cliffe said the telco had applied for funding for these projects through the Australian Governments Regional Connectivity program, but was unsuccessful.

In addition, she said, Telstra had secured additional permanent and portable generators through the Australian Governments grant program, Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters.

“We absolutely used [the generators] during Tropical Cyclone Jasper,” she said.

“We have those deployed across multiple locations and move them based on where disasters are looking to be impacting our region.”

She said Telstra was committed to building climate resilient services into the future.

She said a major upgrade was recently completed on the Telstra tower on Waiben, providing 5G services to the region, and that $1,095,300 in works was approved for a mobile tower in Seisia, expected to be completed by mid-2024.

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04 NEWS

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS

Tagai welcomes new students for 2024 Isla’s first day.

Evie spooning.

Randy & Miss Adams first day in Prep at Waybeni Buway Ngurpay Mudh. Pics supplied.

Theo and family .

Yonte’a painting.

Emett at the scrub table.

Mukubi and family.

Wigness and family.

Harlan & Evie’s first day.

NEWS 05

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

Call for communities to report anything ‘unusual’

Arrests were made during last year’s raid on drug syndicate members caught trying to import five kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia. Pics supplied by AFP. Ongoing inquiries into a drug syndicate caught trying to import five kilograms of methamphetamine into Australia late last year have prompted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to call on Zenadth Kes communities to report any unusual activity, Northern Command Federal Agent Stefan Noble says.

“I’d urge you to speak to either the police here on Thursday Island or contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000,” he said. “[If they have] information regarding any potential drug importations, or drugs in the community, feel free to reach out and give us a yarn regarding any concerns they may have.

“The Torres Strait community is very active on the water, so anything they see on the water that doesn’t seem right, or is suspicious to them, please reach out to us.”

In November last year six people were arrested in Mabaduan,

Australian Federal Police Northern Command Federal Agent Stefan Noble.

Pic by Carli Willis.

Daru and Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea, in relation to the syndicate.

Mr Noble said there were ongoing inquiries into Australians who may have been involved.

“Intelligence developed by the AFP Thursday Island office was shared with Liaison Officers embedded with the Royal Papua

New Guinean Constabulary (RPNGC) in Port Moresby,” he said.

“Through AFP intelligence the RPNGC were able to arrest six people and seize five kilos of methamphetamine, which is a major win for the people, the Pacific as well as Torres Strait.

“To give you an idea, five kilograms of meth is about 50,000 street deals of meth.

“That’s roughly about 10 street deals for every person in the Torres Strait at the moment, but it only takes one hit [to] ruin a life.

“My understanding was it was en route to Cape York, we’re not entirely sure where it was going.”

He said Australia and Papua New Guinea took these kinds of crimes seriously.

“The AFP itself has over 200 personnel located offshore in 33 countries [and] about one quarter of them are based in Papua New Guinea alone,” he said.

AFP are asking locals to keep an eye out for unusual activity.

Pic by Carli Willis.

Stage set for second part of Kaurareg language project STORY AND PICS

BY FLORA WARRIA

The second stage of the Kaiwa Language Project (KLP) will be aimed at training young people who have the interests in video, to record Kaurareg Elders speaking language on-country.

The first stage consultation workshops were held over two days on Waiben with TSRA, biosecurity representatives and local youths at the Boat Club earlier this month, and continued on Ngarupai later that week with representatives from the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC).

Funded by the Australian government (including the biosecurity sector) for the Kaurareg people the

KLP project was about recording songs, oral history, language and dances.

The project was delivered by the Kaiwalagal Development Indigenous Corporation (KDIC) and the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), supported and administered by Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation.

It was coordinated

by Waubin Richard Aken and linguist and cultural advisor for the Mua/Kaurareg language dialect of the Maluyligal, Louise Manas, both of whom provided cultural guidance and knowledge about how to best record the language, songs, dances, and the stories of Kaurareg people.

The project was expected to affiliate with Kaurareg Native Title representatives, the Kaurareg rangers,

LEFT: Louise Manas (Linguist and cultural advisor for Mua Kaurareg language dialect). RIGHT: Waubin Richard Aken. biosecurity and the community over the coming months.

It was organised into four stages: 1. Consultation and engagement with Kaurareg elders and community to introduce

the project and seek input into the project design and approach, including Intellectual Property (IP) and access (completed).

2. Work with young people and Elders to go on Country for training

in video production. It was hoped their ‘active learning’ would also include recording spoken language, and create and provide job opportunities for young people.

3. Elders and young people out on country

to record oral histories and other cultural heritage information of great importance to the Kaurareg people, all in language for future generations.

4. Produce short videos to share with the community on several platforms.

Louise said there would be ongoing consultations and engagements throughout the project between all the stakeholders.

“This project is something that has been birthed here today, and it is a birth of a nation, we are blessed that our buwai here in Kaurareg will bring that and water the seed and the plant for the rest of Zenadth Kes,” she said.

“You and I and those who will come will all be part of it.”

She said the sign on the waiting shed on

Waiben at the small ferry wharf – Aieywal Manin Ngithamun Kauraregau Gagaith – meant ‘welcome you all to Kaurareg land/country’ and stood as an example.

“We, who are here now, are part of this project,” she said.

One of the workshop participants, who declined to be named, said the language was music to his ears.

“The language that has just been spoken in the opening prayer is like a music to my ears, it was just special for me to hear how the language spoken in such passion,” he said.

“Our language is very powerful, it shows us our identity it is like the warup (drum) when you hit the drum it sends out the sound and the echo of it goes beyond boundaries.”

06 NEWS

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS

Wanem 26 January mean to you?

Leitha Assan

Leitha Assan says the day holds no significance to her and instead she chooses to work.

“Our organisation, if the employees would like to substitute that day for another day in respect of First Nations people and how they feel about January 26, they’re able to do so,” she said.

“I’ll be working on January 26 and hopefully celebrating, you know, on a better day in the future.

“I don’t celebrate it and that’s a personal choice.”

“Hopefully, in the future, the government and our peoples of Australia will choose

another day that it’s free from any trauma, where we can celebrate together and be proud of being Australians.”

She said she has a date in mind though.

“My nephew John said maybe we should celebrate May 8.

“I said, what do you mean, May 8?

“He was like, because it sounds like ‘mate’, and that’s a real Australian.

“So we’re all gonna lobby for the eighth of May.”

Tomorrow is 26 January, is our national day to be unashamedly enjoyed for and a national public what our nation is today. holiday.

To some it will always be Invasion Day – a stark and unfeeling reminder of the violence of our colonial history.

To others it is Survival Day – a bittersweet celebration of cultural survival and resilience.

To many others again, it

Elder Uncle Frank Kuk

He said he felt another day could be celebrated by all.

Elder Aunty McRose Elu

Elder Uncle Frank Kuk said as a taxi driver, he will be working.

“Australia Day means a lot to me, it means achievement of a multicultural nation come together,” he said. “[But] I want to push the date aside, I would suggest that we put another date.

“Because what

“To me as an Indigenous person, it was Invasion Day for me, it was not a day of celebration,” he said.

Elder Aunty McRose Elu said she won’t be working, but she won’t be celebrating either.

“I [will be] remembering the First Nations people of this country, how they see that day, Invasion day,” she said.

“I relate to our people who spend the day in silence and do other things.

“They know what

happened on 26th of January is something that Indigenous people of this country don’t want to dwell on.”

the history done to this country and why it’s not celebrated as an Australia Day, but as an Invasion Day. “The history will

always be there and it’s important that you take time to think, what it means and what it was like then.”

She said she wanted to see more work done towards reconciliation.

“My mission will be, looking at a better future for our generation, how we do things and how we mentor,” Ms Elu Said.

“We can do better, for the generations to come, like your grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

“[January 26] is when the massacres occurred in New South Wales, it was the start of a brutal occupation by the colonial power at that time.

“I start off the morning with reflection, and I take time to reflect on where we are as a people, the struggles that we’ve overcome.

“I think about my ancestors, my people that were here when colonisation happened, my great-great grandparents and my grandparents.

“I also think about my parents too, because they were born in the 50’s, so they grew up well and truly before the 1967 referendum.

“I take a bit of time to pause and reflect and acknowledge them and the work that they’ve done.

Now that he was on Waiben, his mother’s Country, he said he was looking forward to engaging in conversation, and maybe even organising a march for next year.

“I’ve spoken to some members of the community and some elders, and they want to get together and have a yarn up, they want to have a march,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to for sharing and it is a celebration because we’re still here, after what we’ve been through for 1000s of years.”

Bernard Dorante

Siannie-del Misi

Bernard Dorante said for him, the day was about celebrating Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

“I’ll probably have a barbecue with the family,” he said.

Siannie-del Misi said she just finished Year 12 at St Pat’s College in Townsville, where she was Culture Engagement Prefect.

“Basically I helped all the Indigenous girls who were struggling at school,” she said.

“I organised NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week at school.”

She said she wanted to see First Nations culture celebrated on Australia Day. “I just hope everyone has a good day,” she said.

“Get up, stand up and show up.”

“I’m a proud Australian and I want to celebrate today as a nation of people but I think if we change the date, that will probably change a lot of the views of Indigenous people.”

Leroy Pedro Leroy Pedro said he too will be reflecting on his Elders and what they have come through.

“At first, we grew up knowing it as Australia Day, and we all come together,” he said.

“But as we grew older,

Whatever the thinking, the day carries a complex tapestry of perspectives, some of which we have gathered here from our Waiben base, where Torres News journalist Carli Willis who asked, “wanem 26 January mean to you?”

we understood what that day meant.

“I think the truth must be told, you must know the truth about Australia.

“For me, I think it’s Invasion Day for me.”

Gilmore Johnston

Luke Mosby Luke Mosby said he won’t be celebrating and was likely to spend the day at home reflecting.

“It’s just another day,” he said.

“But for Indigenous people, it’s a very sad day.

“We all know the backstory.”

Gilmore Johnston said he usually spent the day in Yarrabah celebrating Survival Day with family there and reflecting on his peoples survival from colonial brutality.

“It’s a sad occasion,” he said.

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

07

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08 NEWS

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS

LGBTIQ+ survey a first STORY BY JEN ENOSA & CARLI WILLIS

Proud Aboriginal woman and social worker Skye Wilson is supporting women and their families through the TCHHS maternal child health team.

Pic supplied.

New worker a boost for pregnant Cape York women and families Pregnant women and new mums in Cape York now have access to even better cultural care after the recent appointment of a First Nations social worker.

Proud Aboriginal woman Skye Wilson, with cultural links to the Kokatha and Wirangu people in South Australia, joined the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s (TCHHS’s) maternal, child and family health care team last year .

Ms Wilson was based in Cairns and as part of her role she visited women and their families in communities as well as supporting women when they travelled to Cairns to give birth.

She was also able to support families around areas such as domestic violence, mental health and substance abuse.

“I am there to support women and their families through hard times and connect them to services if they wish,” Ms Wilson said.

“I’m also there to advocate for them as well, as these women are

already vulnerable being away from community.”

Ms Wilson, who grew up in Adelaide, said she had seen firsthand how the effects of drugs and alcohol could affect families.

“I’m passionate about keeping my people healthy and strong and empowering us,” she said.

“For me, if I can be a mentor and show people there is more out there for them, that is something I really enjoy.”

The TCHHS established the maternity, child and family health care team last year to work in collaboration with existing services to deliver comprehensive visiting outreach services to communities across Cape York.

The team included maternal, child and family midwifery consultants and First Nations health workers, and was integrated with the midwifery navigation service, a component of the health service’s broader, highly successful Nurse Navigator program.

A survey led by Dr Vanessa Lee-Ahmat is the first in the world to look at the LGBTIQ+ sistergirls’ and brotherboys’ experiences with sexual violence.

Dr Lee-Ahmat said she hoped the data would help attract services to places where they were needed most to help address gendered violence.

“In about 2019, I identified in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) that there was no separation articles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or Indigenous people in general, aged elderly, or women or the LGBTIQ+ population,” she said.

“I contacted the United Nations and asked if I could do a presentation.

“I presented the gap in the data and the gap in service delivery, for the space.”

Dr Lee-Ahmat said at the same time she was presenting at UNDRIP, people back in Australia were advocating for surveys to be done in that space.

“The Department of Social Services got in touch with me and the gendered violence research network, that I’m part of, and asked us if we would be interested in putting a submission in.”

Dr Lee-Ahmat said surveys were confidential and held no name or contact information, but they did gather postcode information.

“It’s basically saying that three per cent of the total Indigenous population in Australia, is LGBTIQ+,” she said.

“Three per cent have identified themselves as having a bad experience or talking about their experiences with sexual violence.

“The important thing about that now is that we can actually

Dr Vanessa Lee-Ahmat. Pic courtesy Black Lorikeet Cultural Brokering Consultancy. start looking at where and what services need to go in place, to address this type of trauma and how best to support people, so it doesn’t end up with somebody taking their life.”

Dr Lee-Ahmat said as an epidemiologist, she did a lot of work with suicide prevention, and domestic family violence policy.

“No one knows why someone has taken their life,” she said.

“But if you can start pinpointing anywhere, any little thing that may have been a cause or an attribute to it, we start getting on the right track and we start getting services.”

Dr Lee-Ahmat said she also found a lack of phone and internet coverage increased the risk of violence in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area regions.

“If you can’t pick up your phone and dial for help, who’s responsible for somebody not being able to access the internet,” she said.

“I was in places where I had no way of contacting anyone for help, I had two bars of 2G. “What do you do with 2G?” She said once a case was built, the government could take 12 months to a year after

Ailan Life

The winner of the December 2023/January 2024 Ailan Life photo competition is Kirsty Young – Congratulations Kirsty.

Kirsty’s winning pic (left) was taken on Thursday Island.

“Enjoying family time with a stunning sunset at beautiful Bach Beach. Always a lovely afternoon here in paradise,” Kirsty said.

For your chance to win, email us your pic showing your Ailan Life along with your name, phone number and a 25-word description to ads@torres.news RIGHT: IBIS staff member Gayleen Magid with Kirsty Young with her $150 gift voucher.

Pic Leilani Lewin.

that, before funding might be allocated.

“It’s really nice to be able to take that further,” she said.

If you or anyone you know needs help: Zenadth Kes based Mura Kosker 07 4069 1663 Wakai Wain Healing 1800 732 850

National DV Connect Womensline 1800 811 811

DV Connect Mensline 1800 600 636

1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 Lifeline 13 11 14

13YARN Crisis support line for Indigenous Australians 13 92 76

MensLine Australia 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 Headspace 1800 650 890

ReachOut at au.reachout.com

QLife 1800 184 527 Respect National Helpline 1800 737 732

Women’s Crisis Line 1800 811 811

Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491

WINNER CEQ $150 GIFT CARD – DEC/JANUARY

NEWS 09

Ailan Life

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

CEQ has been our proud sponsor in 2023 of the Ailan Life photo competition, picking their favourite

Ailan Life entry each month. This week we are featuring all of the 2023 winning photos, from which CEQ will pick the Grand Final winner who will receive a $150 GIFT CARD to use at any local CEQ store!

DEC. 22 / JAN. 23

FEBRUARY WINNER

MARCH WINNER

DECEMBER 2022/JANUARY 2023 WINNER

The winner of the December 2022/January 2023 Ailan Life photo competition was Seranna Shutt, with her beautiful pic of her Ailan life on Friday Island, celebrating warm sea vibes and a mother and son enjoying the water before storms come.

FEBRUARY WINNER

Tari Shibasaki won in February with a lovely pic of her Ailan life, chilling at the beach under a coconut tree at Cable Bay on Horn Island.

MARCH WINNER

Winner of the March competition was Lyell Aldene, who submitted this pic taken at Iama (Yam Island), as a reflection of the peacefulness, natural and unique nature of his world.

“I am blessed to capture such moment, the evening sunset, the stillness in community that allows me to reflect on life and the good things I take for granted,” Lyell said.

APRIL WINNER

MAY WINNER

JUNE WINNER

APRIL WINNER

Tari Sagigi’s pic was the winner in April. “Lui and Lawrence Day-Bon casually catching memories and fish as smol wharf – Thursday Island on a Monday,” she said.

MAY WINNER

Di Gretton won in May with her striking Ailan life pic of fisherman heading home late afternoon on Poruma Island.

“No fish, but enjoying a magnificent display of colour from mother nature as the sun sets over the reef,” Di said.

JUNE WINNER

June winner Nadja Mack submitted this fascinating perspetive pic taken at Mayo Beach on Thursday Island.

“I love looking at the shells that stick like flower arrangements to the driftwood. My puppy Pippi loves eating them,” she said.

AUGUST WINNER

Lazariah’s pic of her children, Victor and Mikaela GibsonNona, taken on Thursday Island, was the winner in August.

AUGUST WINNER

SEPTEMBER WINNER

OCTOBER WINNER

“I left my home on Badu Island 11 years ago to upskill and pursue a career that would help my people, no kids, no partner. Now, I return with my family to give back to my people. I am excited that they now get to learn their culture, language, lore’s and practices. What a beautiful place that we now call home – TI,” she said.

SEPTEMBER WINNER

September winner Hue Nhi Ton’s gorgeous pic was taken at Green Hill Fort on Thursday Island.

“The sunset picture captures the breathtaking beauty of nature as vibrant hues paint the sky in a mesmerizing display,” Nhi said.

OCTOBER WINNER

Joy Pham’s pic, taken on Thursday Island, was the October winner. “After a few rains, the lawn is covered with a green colour. The dawn sunlight shines through the house on Thursday Island, bringing fresh energy too,” she said.

NOVEMBER WINNER

DEC. 23 / JAN. 24

NOVEMBER WINNER

Kantisha Daniel’s colourful pic, taken at Frenchman’s Beach at the back of Prince of Wales Island, won the competition in November.

“Camping would have to one of my most favourite things to do. It’s fun and mainly peaceful. To be excited for every afternoon just to sit by the beach and watch the sunset makes me so happy and really grateful, to think that I’m blessed to see another day,” Kantisha said.

DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY 2024 WINNER

Our December/January winner was Kirsty Young’s pic taken on Thursday Island. “Enjoying family time with a stunning sunset at beautiful Bach Beach. Always a lovely afternoon here in paradise,” Kirsty said.

The 2023 Grand Final winner will be announced next Thursday in our 1st February 2024 issue!

10

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS

EMPLOYER INCENTIVE FUNDING Supporting our local employers With solutions focused staff available across the Torres Strait Islands MGNM is here to work with local employers to support their specific recruitment, staff training and retention requirements.

Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab (MGNM) can support employers in the Torres region to access up to $10,000 of Employer Incentive payments, available through the Community Development Program.

By hiring local job seekers through MGNM, employers may be eligible for this funding opportunity.

Employers can use Employer Incentive Funding in any way they choose, including to cover additional training and supervision costs or as a wage subsidy.

The incentive is paid once a job seeker has been employed full time for 26 weeks and is payable through MGNM. An employer is eligible to receive a oneoff payment of up to $10,000 for full time employees or up to $5,000 for part time employees, subject to specific conditions.

We recommend you discuss your planned recruitment with us prior to commencing a job seeker in employment to understand what funding may be available.

$ 10,000

Your Business Sum of Ten thousand dollars only ment For the purpose of Supporting local employ

Pay

CONTACT US RIGHT JOB RIGHT PERSON RIGHT FIT

jobs@gbk.org.au p 07 4212 0000

11

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

Who leads GBK?

Keriba Gesep; Ngalpun Mabaygal; Yumi Time Our Homeland; Our People; Our Time

OUR MEMBERS

OUR LEADERSHIP

GBK’s membership is made up individuals from the Registered Native Title Body Corporates (RNTBCs) spanning the Torres and Endeavour Strait regions.

These RNTBCs are grouped into five distinct nation groups: Kemer Kemer Meriam, Gudamaluialgal, Maluilgal, Kulkalgal, and Kaiwalagal.

GBK’s Board of Directors is our corporation’s governing body, with key responsibilities that include charting the strategic direction, representing the council at various forums and meetings, and overseeing overall operations.

Each member RNTBC nominates a representative to join GBK’s Board of Directors.

In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Our Directors actively participate in regular board Land Trusts in the region are eligible to join GBK as meetings to ensure that all RNTBCs have an equal say members. in shaping GBK’s strategic approach and strengthening our advocacy role.

This unique membership base endows GBK with unparalleled cultural authority in the Torres Region, While the Board maintains strict independence from rooted in Aboriginal lore, customs, and Torres Strait operational matters involving claims and future acts, Ailan Kastom. their influence is felt through the GBK’s strategic and policy frameworks.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US www.gbk.org.au 07 4083 1000 admin@gbk.org.au

12 NEWS

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS

TN0461 • 18-01-24

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: LEFT: Standing L-R: Madeleine Philpot, Helen Kudub, Theresa Cowley & Salome Tapim. Seated Pamela Tapim & Gagee Kudub. ABOVE: Standing L-R: Patrick Neliman, Jim Akee, Matthew Pearson, Jonus Idai, Russell Philpot & Trigger Tapau Jnr. Seated L-R: Peter Idai, Elimo Tapim & Beimop Tapim. Pics supplied.

TIMETABLE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO QANTAS SCHEDULING, SOME FERRIES MAY NOT OPERATE

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THURSDAY ISLAND/HORN ISLAND FERRY TIMETABLE (18/01/2024) J All TI transfers include complimentary bus service on Thursday Island J

TSLIB committee gets to work on permanent display at Jezzine Barracks

BY VELMA GARA

Townsville-based committee for the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion (TSLIB) are making plans to have a cabinet permanently based at the Army Museum based at Jezzine Barracks.

After successfully raising awareness of the TSLIB 80th anniversary in March last year, the committee was focused on having a permanent space at the Museum for community members to visit and inspect historic materials, promoting the role Torres Strait Islanders played in defending the most northern part of Australia.

The committee held its first meeting last Saturday to kick start the year of planning and it was an opportunity for members to get-together after the Christmas break.

Committee organiser Theresa Cowley

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was optimistic about achieving bigger goals and raising more awareness of the TSLIB this year.

Fundraising by the committee has begun with raffles and, weather permitting, an Island Night to be held tomorrow night at the AMR Hall at 33-37 Aitken Street, Aitkenvale.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicted a tropical cyclone, Category 3, would cross the coast today in the Townsville region.

Ms Cowley wanted to make a special acknowledgement of ecological transformation company, Veolia Australia & New Zealand, for their financial contribution towards the freight of the glass cabinet from Melbourne to Townsville and ABIS Community Co-operative Society CEO Jan Pool for her help with the ‘Saluting their Services’ grant submission.

P J 07 4069 1586 • F J 07 4069 1408 • E J info@rebeltours.com.au • W J www.rebeltours.com.au • Important: Horn Island Bus Pickups must be requested the day before.

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In Loving Memory of Ms Olive Rizah Tabua 11 August 1949 - 11 January 2024

Families and Friends are invited to celebrate the life of our Dear Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Abida/Sister and Friend.

The Requiem Mass will be held at the Anglican Church on Thursday Island Saturday 27th January 2024 at 10am, followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon at Thursday Island Bowls Club at 12.30pm – 4.30pm.

The Funeral Service will be held in Cairns, 10am on Saturday 3rd February at The Cairns Funeral Directors Chapel, 36 Pease Street, Manoora.

Followed by light refreshments at Balaclava Hotel, 423 Mulgrave Road, Earlville.

For more information or financial contributions please contact Mrs Georgina Tabua on 0476 048 965.

Buai Mudh Thursday Island Neighbourhood and Community Centre

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Come to us if you need help

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Open 9am to 4:30pm Lunch time closure 12:30pm to 1:30pm

For more information, please contact: Lazariah Nona - Buai Mudh Community Centre Coordinator 07 4069 1663 (“Press 2” for Buai Mudh) tincc@murakosker.org.au

In Loving Memory of Brendan Thomas Foster

News 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.

NEWS DIRECTOR – DARREN MONCRIEFF M 0431 148 881 • E darren@torres.news NEWS & CHIEF SUB EDITOR – CHRISTINE HOWES M 0419 656 277 • E christine@torres.news TSIMA JOURNALIST – CARLI WILLIS M 0415 705 160 • E carli@tsima4mw.org.au TSIMA CORRESPONDENTS Jen Enosa, Sylvia Tabua & Gilmore Johnston.

Our minds still talk to you Our hearts still look for you But, Our souls know you are at peace.

CADET JOURNALIST – FLORA WARRIA M 0473 231 367 • E flora@torres.news NEWS & PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Kantesha Takai, Jillian Bowie, Talei Elu, Shanella Majid, Bel Lui, Alf Wilson and Velma Gara.

Until we meet again.

NEWS & PHOTOS DEADLINE

Lovingly remembered by: Mum, Charles, Kevin, Lucinda, Vivien (Sisi), La-Tesha, Christopher, Jalynn, Aliyah, Brendan (Jnr), Karlee, and Isayah.

All news, sports & photo contributions

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COVERAGE AREA – Covering news and events of the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Area including: Badu, Bamaga, Boigu, Dauan, Erub, Horn Island (Ngurupai), Iama, Injinoo, Kerriri, Mabuyag, Masig, Mer, Moa - Kubin (Arkai) and St Pauls (Wug), Muralag, New Mapoon, Poruma, Saibai, Seisia, Thursday Island (Waiben) - TRAWQ and Port Kennedy, Ugar, Umagico, Warraber and everywhere in between.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula regions. We pay our sincere respects to the Elders and the Peoples of the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Area, across whose traditional lands and seas we report.

This newspaper is dedicated to recognising, preserving and promoting the traditional cultures and customs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of these regions.

Our offices are sometimes unattended. Please call and leave a message or email editorial, advertising or accounts.

14 NEWS & SPORT

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024 TORRES NEWS

Cowboys celebrate dreaming, believing, achieving graduates

The happy graduates of the Cowboys’ Dream, Believe, Achieve Program. Pics supplied. program celebrated graduates from its 14-week Certificate III in Individual Support.

More than 60 Certificate III in Hospitality graduates have been added to the program’s 326 graduates since 2018, and more than 50 of those, from the 2023 cohorts, were already putting their newly acquired qualifications and jobready work experience to use after finding paid employment.

Hospitality graduates completed the intensive 10-week course across four

Sam Waigana is presented with his graduation certificate by Les Walker (MP).

career opportunities in disability, mental health and aged care.

Mr Waigana said the program had boosted his self-confidence.

“In the first week of class, most of us would agree we were shame to speak, meet each other or even stand and describe ourselves in front of the class,” he said.

“But in those coming weeks of mentoring and teaching, we slowly helped develop characteristics within ourselves and helped our fellow classmates.

“As work experience week came around, some of us got the opportunity to serve and host with The Ville during the Cowboys 2023 season launch to test what we’d learnt in a short time.

“Keep working hard for those little goals that you want to accomplish and set new goals, keep going and keep building yourself and the right employer will come.”

The Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve Program was established in 2015 delivering education, training and

industry-recognised qualifications to unemployed and disadvantaged North Queenslanders, providing mentoring support to assist students in completing their studies and achieving their career goals.

The program has provided a boost to local industry and hospitality employers through supply of reliable, confident and skilled workers including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supported by

the Queensland Government, training was delivered by program partners Allara Learning (Hospitality) and Selectability (Individual Support).

Cowboys Chief Community and Government Relations Officer Fiona Pelling said funding received from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training as part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program was instrumental in driving the continued success of the Dream, Believe, Achieve Program.

Charters Towers cricket a successful weekend

M Continued from P16

BY ALF WILSON Hospitality graduate, and now a Leagues Club employee, Samuel Waigana is full of praise for the Cowboys’ Dream, Believe, Achieve Program.

Samuel was one of a group of 74 qualified, job-ready North Queenslanders who have supercharged their job skills in the program, run by the North Queensland Cowboys.

A graduation ceremony held in Townsville last Friday was the first time the

intakes, including Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Gambling Services (RSG) qualifications via inclass training modules, one-on-one mentoring and guidance and on-the-job work experience with Dream, Believe, Achieve’s 10 industry partners.

Individual Support graduates completed their 14-week course, including First Aid and CPR certificates, NDIS Screening (Yellow Card) and 120 hours of work placement to pursue

Josh Henry & Joel Masso.

The Garbutt Magpies women’s Goldfield Ashes cricket team came third in their division.

Josh Henry smashes a boundary for his team.

Roger Seden & son Zen.

The West Indigies team.

PICS BY ALF WILSON

SPORT 15

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

IMP looks for new generation of runners/leaders The Indigenous Marathon Project’s (IMP’s) annual invitation to join their popular six-month health, wellbeing, leadership and development program is now open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

The program gets underway next month and young people in the 18-30 age group were urged to apply.

No prior running experience was necessary.

At the end of it all was the 42.2km New York City Marathon in November.

Costs were to be covered by the IMP’s parent-body, the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF).

The new squad was to be mentored by some of the 142 IMP graduates who have passed through the program since its inception 15 years ago in 2010, most of whom continued to be an integral part of the IMF family.

Jade Ware and Arthur Pitt and the IMP Class of 2023. Pics supplied

IMP 2023 graduate Jade Ware.

The search was not about discovering the fastest runners; it was more about finding motivated people who

IMP 2023 graduate Arthur Pitt.

possessed the strength and desire to inspire their communities and the nation through their commitment and ability

to tackle challenges, one step at a time.

The program has garnered traction across Indigenous communities

throughout Australia and has proven to be immensely popular with young people from the Torres Strait, Cape York and NPA. Among the most recent graduates were Jade Ware and Arthur Pitt (2023).

In years past, other Torres Strait Islander people to graduate have included Nadine Hunt (2011), Jurgean Tabuai (2012), Tali Tabuai, Colin Sampton (2013), Harold Matthew, Elsie Seriat (2014), Harriet David, Alicia Sabatino (2015), Saliman Bin Juda (2016) Maletta Seriat (2017), Cyrus Morseu (2018), Neil Sabatino (2019), Alex Blanco, Libby CookBlack (2020) and Jorah Newman and Tristan Nelliman-Adams (2021).

“Don’t hesitate, register now and take up the challenge,” IMF founder and director, world marathon champion Robert de Castella said.

“Running is easy, just one step after the other, but running a marathon is hard, just like life

Wildcats on a roll

Jessica McDowell-White (Townsville Fire).

Pic by @Dempseykoenig.

Fire lose at home

BY VELMA GARA Townsville Fire will need to regroup and find their mojo if they want to defend their title and feature in the playoffs of the Womens National Basketball League.

Fire have lost two games straight and must find a way to win against Southside Flyers on Saturday night.

They lost to bottom placed Adelaide Lightning, 90 – 75.

Guard, Jessica McDowellWhite, had some court time and scored two 3-pointers for the Fire.

Flyers defeated Melbourne Boomers, 84 – 82, and claimed second spot on the WNBL ladder.

Leilani Mitchell played well for the Flyers, with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Mitchell’s performance earned her the Player of the Game and her inclusion in the Team of the Round.

Also worthy of mention was the Bendigo Spirit’s win over Perth Lynx for the first time in seven years, 95 – 74.

Spirit guard, Alex Wilson, had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.

The 2024 national try-out tour was to visit communities around Australia to select six men and six women in a trial that included a 3km run, and an informal interview with an IMP coach and-or IMF staff member. *Applications are now open and can be made online, or a form can be downloaded from the website www. imf.org.au.

TN0230 8x2 local sports

The try-out schedule will be announced early 2024.

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Send us your pic of the week, fixtures or finals results by noon on Monday!  EMAIL: editor@torres.news

THURSDAY ISLAND / SEISIA

FERRY SCHEDULE

BY VELMA GARA Perth Wildcats continued to win games last weekend in the Pride Round of the National Basketball League.

At home last Friday night they defeated Brisbane Bullets convincingly, 118 – 86, backed up by another win last Sunday afternoon against Sydney Kings, 104 – 98.

Centre Keanu Pinder collectively had 25 points, five rebounds and three steals in those two games but played less (16.45mins) against the Kings because he was fouled out.

A win for Cairns against Illawarra, 93-92 ensured they moved back in to the Top 6.

In their last round the Taipans were without three key players – Sam Waardenburg, Bobi Klintman and Jonah Antonio.

Illawarra Hawks lost both their games and moved out of the Top 6.

Their one-point loss to the Taipans may have dinted their confidence as they followed on with a loss to Adelaide 36ers, 96 – 89.

Hawks guard Will Hickey played some minutes and scored 10 points, two rebounds and two steals.

The Hawks have a tough round this weekend, coming up against the in-form Wildcats

can be, especially if you want to make a difference.

“IMP will change your life and the lives of others in your community and family, just ask any of the 142 IMP graduates.

“Many of them never thought they could do it, but they did.

“Don’t hold yourself back, give it a go and apply now. You never know what version of yourself is waiting for you at the finish line.”

JAN & FEB 2024

MONDAY / WEDNESDAY / FRIDAY DEPART: • THURSDAY IS: 6.30AM & 2.30PM • SEISIA: 8AM & 4PM THURSDAY 25 JANUARY PM FERRY DEPARTURES ONLY FRIDAY 26 JANUARY (Australia Day Public Holiday) NO FERRY SERVICES “Linking the Cape with the Torres Strait” Will Hickey (Illawarra Hawks). Pic courtesy of NBL. tonight and followed up with a game against New Zealand Breakers on Sunday.

New Zealand Breakers guard Will McDowell-White came off the bench and contributed with 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists for his team in their massive win against South East Phoenix, 106 – 75.

In Round 17 all the teams need to show some urgency and register wins if they want to make the playoffs.

NBL24 season has three more rounds of games which will conclude on 15-18 February 2024.

Boarding strictly 15 mins prior to departure

PHONE 07 4069 1551

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL – TICKET ONLINE www.peddellsferry.com.au • Passengers please pre-ticket – online, agents (or by phone: booking and change of booking fees now apply) Concession fares available, conditions apply OFFICE HOURS MON–FRI, 9am–12noon & 12.30–2.30pm Office closed weekends and PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. LUGGAGE – Passengers are required to take their luggage directly to the ferry with them at boarding time (1 piece under 20 kg, excess charges otherwise apply) FREIGHT – Items under 20 kg carried, conditions apply.

Please note freight may be delivered 1.30pm to 2pm to travel on the 2.30pm TI-Seisia Service or at other times delivered directly to the vessel and pre paid.

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SPORTS CONTRIBUTIONS Please email your sports stories and photos before 5PM on Mondays.

16

THURSDAY 25 JANUARY 2024

J EMAIL: darren@torres.news J MOBILE: 0431 148 881

Magpie women take third place

STORY AND PICS

BY ALF WILSON With a majority of Torres Strait Islander players in their ranks, the Garbutt Magpies women’s cricket team took third place in their division at the 2024 Goldfield Ashes tournament held in Charters Towers last weekend.

The Magpies were one of 24 teams in their corner of the competition, and one of 240 teams across the tournament, making it the largest in world cricket.

It was estimated more than 500 players were Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal people at the carnival, with armies of family and spectator support behind them.

Organisers had little doubt that moving the Ashes to the week before the usual Australia Day long-weekend was a major reason for the increase.

Games played over the course of the threeday event from 19-21 January were played on more than 70 fields.

Among the Magpies were sisters Lorraine, Iriaka and Nicole Ross, who have ties to Darnley in the Torres Strait.

Garbutt Magpies ladies organiser Nicole said she was delighted with the effort by her team.

“Best players were hard to pick because it was team effort,” Nicole said. “But, our best batters were Taynarme Jeffress, Talisa Ross, Toni Feltes (Jnr), Nickayla Mansfield.

“We also looked deadly in our uniforms designed by Bracks Indigenous Clothing.”

While Nicole was the chief organiser of the Magpies’ women’s side, her cousin Jermaine Ross was the mainstay of the men’s combination.

“Most of us are Torres Strait Islanders and some from several generations of families,” Nicole said.

The Magpies, West Indigies, Black Bream and Mt Garnet had teams in both men’s and women’s division and had a majority Indigenous players.

Other teams included One Mob and Brothers in the men’s division while many of the other sides had some First Nations’ players.

Waiben man Roger Seden lined up for the men’s Magpies side with his son Zen. “I am a proud Torres Strait Islander and my son will be going to school down here,” he said.

West Indigies beat Black Bream narrowly in B-2 division on day two and after stumps were drawn their inspirational captain Glenn Butler paid tribute to the opposition.

“Three cheers for our brothers from Black Bream,” Glenn said. “This carnival brings together lots of families.”

Mt Garnet was led by classy left-handed batsman Josh Henry, who belted the ball to all parts of the ground on day one.

The Mt Garnet Eagles men’s team was runnerup at the recent carnival at Musgrave Roadhouse on Cape York while the lady Hawks took out the title there.

Many of the fields at Charters Towers in previous years had been dustbowls, however rain in the lead-up to the Ashes ensured grounds were lush green, increasing players’ comfort levels.

Midway through the afternoon on day one, more heavy rain washed out some games, but that downpour helped ease the 35˚C heat.

While the A, B-1 and women’s divisions were played in a serious manner, games in the lower B-2 and Social men’s had relaxed rules.

Aptly, several of the Torres Strait cricketers told me that the object in these grades was the social side, where they got to catch up with family and friends from many regions whom they had not seen since the previous Ashes.

More pics P14 N

Garbutt Magpies women’s cricket team members and sisters Lorraine, Iriaka and Nicole Ross.

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