Thursday, 28 March 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 Torres Shire Mayor declared BY CARLI WILLIS
Dancing up a storm on Waiben’s Harmony Day Prep A classmates Maretta Sagai and Josie Blackley dancing in harmony at last Friday’s Harmony Day celebrations on Waiben.
Pic supplied.
See more Harmony Day pics on PAGES 15 & 16 N
Newly elected Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat is excited. She was not only the youngest female to successfully become Torres Shire Council Mayor, but the first from her family and clan group – as a direct descendant from Kulukulu of Muralag (Prince of Wales) – to be a Mayor. Cr Seriat said she was proud to be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman. Across the Northern Peninsula Area, Torres Strait Island Regional Council region and Torres Shire Council region, a record 26 per cent of candidates were women. Cr Seriat said when the votes were finally counted and the results confirmed, she was overwhelmed. “People see me around, they’re always celebrating with me and it just makes me really happy that and the reassurance from thempla that I am the best person for the job at this time,” she said. “I think it was always something a burning desire for myself growing up and I think it was something that was always instilled in me to become a leader in my community.” She said she believed younger people could bring new energy and a different lens through which to see the issues the region has struggled with for decades such as housing, infrastructure and cost of living. “It’s always important for young people to put their hands up because we have the older generation amongst us that have already been there could give us in our language, we spik,
‘wakai waian’, give us advice on this journey together with them,” she said. “We’re coming in young, we’re coming in new, we come in and fresh to, respectfully, see how we can or we can get things done for our community. “I am passionate about things that happen [at] grassroots and I’ve always been pushing for community [at] grassroots. “This gives me more opportunities to be able to be vocal for my people in this space.” Cr Seriat said her grandfather Wigness Seriat, who was an Elder in the community, was one of her biggest inspirations. “My grandfather’s talk, was, no matter where you bellybutton ‘e fall down – if you come here and you make this place your home – no matter where you come from – which community or diverse, multicultural area you are you from where this place,” she said. “That’s something I hold really close to my heart is that I want to be able to make a difference for everybody.” Ms Seriat said her mum was also one of her greatest inspirations. “It’s now time for us women to come up and I’m so proud of all the women in Zenadth Kes ya where shire, where NPA, who put their hands up because it has made history for women,” she said. “Come next election, we want to see more women, more girls, putting up their hands for this space. Continued P9 N
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