Torres News_Edition 126_18 April 2024

Thursday, 18 April 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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Celebrating Gab Titui’s 20th anniversary

Heavy rain was no matter to the Eip Karem Beizam dance group, including Shanice Havili (left) and Caroline Bon, as they performed at the opening ceremony of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre’s 20thanniversary celebrations on Tuesday.

Speakers including Napau Pedro Stephen and Gabriel Bani also braved the weather as the stage was set for five days of activities and celebrations this week until Saturday.

Pic by Carli Willis.

See full coverage on PAGES 7, 8 & 9 N

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02 NEWS

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS

Wakaid Elders call on Federal Minister for dialysis help

BY JENNIFER ENOSA & CARLI WILLIS

Wakaid tribal Elders have invited federal ministers to visit Badu Island to discuss the possibility of remote dialysis infrastructure.

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Malandirri McArthy has accepted the invitation but is yet to lock in the dates to attend.

Her office has confirmed the visit will happen before the end of April.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler’s office advised they had to decline the invite as they weren’t able to attend during the

Assistant Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Malandirri McArthy. Pic supplied.

Uncle Bongo Sagigi.

Pic by Carli Willis

requested time.

Wakaid Elder Uncle Bongo

Sagigi said as a renal dialysis patient he knew better than anyone

the struggles the sickness brought for remote island families.

“People keep waiting for the change, but the change is you,” he said.

“If you nor makem, e nor gor happen, but when you gor makem now, that one will be a miracle.”

“Our people ya dying like flies, but we can stop that.”

Uncle Bongo said tribal Elders had met with the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) but decided to bypass them and deal directly with the federal government.

“A direct partnership or direct service agreement from Commonwealth straight into the community into our tribal

group,” he said.

“It’s a tribal initiative because a local government can’t do it for yumi.

“Cut the middleman out, because the middleman will have their own cost.”

Uncle Bongo said he wanted to see communities work with health services to prevent the disease from spreading.

“We need prevention, we need education of community, we need to makem because nobody gor makem,” he said.

“We never been consulted to be amalgamated into ‘Cape and Torres’ we always Torres – autonomous – we got to stand as Torres Strait Islanders.”

Ergon digital meter rollout on track An Ergon rollout of digital meters across Waiben is “making great progress”, a spokesperson has told the Torres News.

“Digital electricity meters can help households identify where they can save energy and money and are being installed across TI and Horn Island as part of the Powersavvy program: PowerSavvy – Ergon Energy,” they said.

“At some sites, we have been unable to make contact with customers, so we are encouraging anyone who has not had their meter exchanged to give Ergon Energy Retail a call on 13 10 46 and we will organise a replacement.

“Our contractor crews have begun work on Horn Island and will be installing digital meters there over the next couple of weeks.”

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A worrying trend of sustained high temperatures is putting stress on the Great Barrier Reef all the way to the Torres Strait, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority says.

For the Torres Strait itself, however, low to no bleaching was evident on 94 per cent of surveyed reefs.

GBRMPA said heat stress continued to accumulate in the northern regions, while it was slowing in the central and southern regions.

The data came from completed aerial surveys that covered 1080 reefs from the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to the Torres Strait.

They showed prevalent bleaching (greater than 10 per cent of coral cover bleached) was present on more than 60 per cent of surveyed reefs.

Very high to extreme bleaching prevalence was most common in inshore and offshore reefs in the southern region, while very high bleaching prevalence was most common in inshore and mid-shelf reefs in the central and northern regions.

Coordinated in-water surveys were underway to assess how different coral species at different depths and habitats responded to the accumulated heat stress, and whether any coral mortality has occurred.

In collaboration with science partners, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and CSIRO, GBRMPA will release the Reef Snapshot for Summer 2023-24 in the coming weeks to provide a summary of conditions and impacts over summer and detailed findings from the aerial surveys.

NEWS 03

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

The TSIRC Mayor and 13 Councillors sworn in at the Bulmba-ja Art Centre in Cairns on Monday: L-R: Div 8 Cr Seriko Dorante; Div 9 Cr Aggie Hankin, Div 5 Cr Ranetta Wosomo; Div10 Cr Kabay Tamu; Div 4 Cr Keith Fell; Div 11 Cr Francis Pearson; Mayor Phillemon Mosby; Div 12 Cr Ted Mosby; Div 3 Cr Chelsea Aniba; Div 13 Cr Rocky Stephen; Div 7 Cr John Levi; Div 14 Cr Nixon Mye; Div 15 Cr Bob Kaigey and Div 1 Cr Dimas Toby (front). Not at ceremony: Div 2 Cr Torenzo Esala & Div 6 Cr Iona Manas.

New TSIRC Councillors sworn-in STORY AND PICS BY CHRISTINE HOWES The majority of Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSRIC) Councillors, including re-elected Mayor Phillemon Mosby, were sworn into their offices

by CEO James William in Cairns on Monday.

Cr Mosby said four of the 15 Councillors ran uncontested, nine were re-elected and there were six new Councillors on board.

“We welcome them,” he told a crowd of about 100 family members, colleagues and friends after the swearing-in ceremony.

“I’m deeply humbled and honoured to be entrusted to serve a second term.”

Mr William said the number of re-elected Councillors was an endorsement.

“I think it is an endorsement of our leaders and our community has trust and faith,” he said.

“It’s a complex business, and as CEO I know they work tremendously hard and I’m very proud to welcome them.”

Cr Mosby said they held the event in Cairns because of the weather.

“I want to send a big shout out and thank you and welcome to our families and friends joining us today in the auditorium, including those joining us through live-streaming,” he said.

“We would have loved to have this morning’s ceremony in our footprint.

“However, because of severe weather

conditions that worked against us, as with the election processes, we were unable to conduct this in the region.

“But this is done today with the utmost respect to the people we serve across the 15 divisions under my leadership.”

Mr William said two of the Councillors – from Dauan and Kubin – were sworn in last week due to travel commitments.

“We only had a 14day window,” he said.

“The most important thing is you witness this bit and take that oath, which is a serious matter,” he said.

Cairns Regional Council’s newly elected – and first-ever Indigenous – Cr Trevor Tim was a special guest at the ceremony, representing local Mayor Amy Eden.

“Congratulations on your election,” he said.

“It’s an honour to be in this position.

“We are leaders – be the best that you can be, it is not about being right, it’s about doing what’s right.

“You stand for your people, stand strong and ancestors are on the other side walking closely with you.

“I’m very excited to be here and to be a part of this.”

Mayor Mosby was one of only two Indigenous Shire Council Mayors to be re-elected into their position, along with Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Wayne Butcher.

Exhibition closes Saturday 8 June 2024 LEFT: CEO James William. RIGHT: Cairns Regional Council Cr Trevor Tim.

Exhibition NOW open!

Gab Titui Cultural Centre

ABOVE: Mayor Phillemon Mosby takes and signs his oath of office in front of CEO James William.

LEFT & BELOW: Sections of the audience before the TSIRC swearingin ceremony at Bulmba-ja Art Centre in Cairns.

Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai is a touring exhibition from NorthSite. This selection for Gab Titui Cultural Centre 20th Anniversary is curated by Aven Noah Jr in collaboration with the family and friends of the Billy Missi Estate.

NorthSite is assisted by the Queensland Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. NorthSite is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

04 NEWS

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS

New state housing strategy promises new homes soon

It complimented the state’s Housing and Homelessness Action A new state Plan 2021-2025’, which government housing came with a $1.91 strategy will see 19 billion investment. new modular homes In the ‘Our Place built in the Torres Action Plan 2024-27’ the Strait Island Regional 27 actions identified to Council (TSIRC) area, combat the housing gap along with 13 housing were around five goals: extensions over the • better partnerships next three years. and shared The new First responsibility, Nations Housing and • a strong sector, Homelessness roadmap • a reliable and for Queensland aimed culturally safe to deliver one million support system, new homes by 2046, • culturally including 53,500 new responsive social homes. solutions, and Within that roadmap, • private-market the government said, New modular homes to be built in the TSIRC region have been designed with a cultural way of life and the environment in pathways. the Our Place Action mind. Pic supplied by Queensland Government.

Plan 2024-27 was Closing the Gap GORI MARBLE 11x3 [new] dwellings, 20/7/23 compared - 20/6/24 “Each Aboriginal Queensland’s “Two years ago it involved in that space co-designed with First & GRANITE data indicated just 81.4 Housing Minister and Torres Strait in terms of talking cost $800,000 to build a Nations people and to 93.5 per cent of per cent of Aboriginal Meaghan Scanlon said Islander Council within four-bedroom, two-toilet, to tenants, talking to (1): TN0568 43yrs - AdsFnon-Indigenous T Dummy T Excel T would be backed by20/7/23 and 2023 Torres Strait her government was Queensland developed Traditional Owners [and] two-bathroom [home],” an initial $61 million Queenslanders (see Islander people lived (1): TN0568 18/1/24 *2024 44yrs AdsF T Dummy T Excel T determined to Close the a plan for the housing looking at future land he said. investment. in appropriately sized graph below).

Gap. it will develop with its planning.”

“Today [that’s] $1.2 “To do that, we’re allocation of funding.

A spokesperson million. focussed on increasing “This includes from the Department “A substantial amount home ownership for First the $14.4 million for of Housing, Local of that cost is consumed Nations communities,” TSIRC under this Government, Planning by freight and shifting she said. “As part of a initiative to support their the materials for the and Public Works said $12 million investment, community’s housing two homes had recently construction of those we’ll set up a one-off needs and priorities. been completed in houses.” subsidised modular Umagico in the Northern “These homes are Cr Mosby said the 18 Ishmael Rd, Earlville, Cairns Q 4870 • P J (07) 4211 2700 homes program, Peninsula Area Regional designed and delivered a tailored Sales to new homes were not Email J office@gorimarbleandgranite.com.au Council (NPARC) area. by the Councils to meet Tenants program, only designed with a the needs of residents “NPARC is building F J (07) 4028 3420 • W J www.gorimarbleandgranite.com.au homeownership cultural way of life and support ongoing five new homes to help education and support in mind, but with the construction, local jobs increase access to social for pre-purchase environment in mind. and economic activity housing in the region,” readiness and post“Some of those she said.

A successfully owned and operated Local Family Business. purchase sustainability. in Aboriginal and communities where Torres Strait Islander They said the Torres “In response to Established in 1965 – 44 years experience in Monuments. they’ve been earmarked communities.”

Shire Council acquired calls from Indigenous Specialising in designing and manufacturing: for this year have already one four-bedroom TSIRC Mayor community housing • Headstones, Bases, Plaques, Graves – In stock or made to order. been consulted in terms Phillemon Mosby said detached house for social organisations, we’ll also • Ceramic Photos, Frames, Statues, Crosses and Vases. the modular-style homes of local Prescribed Body housing on Ngurupai create a funding program • Inscriptions and Artwork completed at our factory in Cairns.

Corporates,” he said. in 2023, while nine lots to help them maintain and were more affordable • Qualified Stonemasons with Queensland Apprenticeships.

“Local councillors upgrade homes, as part of and accessible for awaited the construction a $20 million allocation. remote communities. have been heavily of new houses.

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NEWS 05

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

Chopper crash victims rescued by locals

BY CARLI WILLIS AND DARREN MONCREIFF A pilot and two tradies had a lucky escape early on Sunday morning when their helicopter was forced into the sea near Waiben.

The chopper left its Rosehill launchpad at around 7.15am, bound for Weipa.

But the pilot reportedly experienced engine trouble moments after take-off and was unable to reach dry land before having to ditch the craft into the channel between Muralag and Waiben.

The only two known local witnesses said it appeared to “fall” into the sea.

Luckily no one was hurt.

The two local men who saw it happen rushed to their dinghy and plucked the lucky survivors aboard.

The incident was immediately reported to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), as per protocol.

ATSB said they were looking for more information to determine if an investigation was warranted.

Helicopter owner Steve Spinaze of Specialised Aviation Services was unable to confirm

the cause of the accident.

“At this stage, I have no advice but a verbal report from the pilot sounds like it was a mechanical failure,” he said.

He said the helicopter had not yet been recovered from the bottom of the ocean.

Acting Patrol Group Inspector Anthony Moynihan said the group was in the water for a short time.

“The pilot made a phone call from the water to another person at the company he was working for,” he said. “[They] fired up another helicopter [and] hovered above that location allowing the three gentlemen to [temporarily] hold

Lui petitions for more freight relief

on to the skids of the second helicopter.”

Mr Moynihan praised the quick-thinking residents who sped out to the men in their dinghy without any thought for their own safety.

“They threw the dinghy in the water, went straight to the location themselves and were able to rescue those gentlemen from the ocean,” he said.

“They are heroes in my eyes, and hopefully we can get them super-recognition down the track.”

He said he wanted to thank them for their quick thinking which had saved lives.

Local MP Cynthia Lui has called on the state government to increase the new freight subsidy, which was announced last year, to further ease cost of living pressures in Torres Strait and Cape York.

She said she also invited people from remote communities to add their voices and stories to a petition calling for greater cost of living relief through a rethink of the freight subsidy.

She said feedback from the community indicated the 5.2 per cent discount at checkouts was not making a difference.

“A few months into the program, when I am out listening to our community, I am hearing that there is more we can do to help people at the cash register,” she said.

“That’s why I am calling on the government to increase the Freight Subsidy Scheme discount.”

Ms Lui said remote communities were paying more than 30 per cent above city prices.

“A simple example is the cost of margarine,” she said.

“In remote communities, people are paying more than $6.50 for a product that costs $4.50 in Cairns – around 30 per cent more for 500g of margarine.

“When you are paying almost 30 per cent more than people in the city for a basic food item, a 5.2 per cent discount does not help much.”

She said she was working hard to see changes made and new options considered.

“I am talking to the Minister and his team most days about the cost of living pressures in remote communities,” Ms Lui said.

NPA job seekers take on new skills Six job-seekers in Bamaga have completed a Certificate I in Hospitality as part of the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

The graduates of the Work Skills Traineeships Training of Indigenous Hospitality Staff project, delivered by Bamaga Enterprises Limited (BEL), were the latest cohort to join job seekers assisted by Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects.

“Bamaga Enterprises was very excited to have been offered funding by the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program,” BEL general manager Adrian Williams said.

“Two outstanding trainees have been offered further training and full-time positions within our organisation.

“The program was invaluable in giving us both direction and the financial assistance to train and mentor our participants.

“Transport to work is a major hurdle to

employment in our region, and the program provided the means for us to offer transport to work for the duration of the traineeship.

“As an organisation, we are continuing to review the delivery of the program in order to achieve improved outcomes.”

Local MP Cynthia Lui said BEL played a vital role in creating employment benefits.

“Organisations such as BEL play a vital role in bridging job seekers with employers, they know their communities and understand local workforce needs,” she said. “On this latest project, six Indigenous trainees in Bamaga completed a 26-week on-the-job program while employed full-time.

“They’ve demonstrated remarkable commitment to completing training.

“It is exciting to see the results of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects and know the region is set to benefit from further projects.”

General Manager Adrian Williams (left) and training co-ordinator Donna England (second from left) with trainees Lillias Aniba, Illillieh Woosup, Norenna Solomon, Raylene Tabuia and Pristy Atu. Pic supplied.

*To add your voice to the call for greater cost-of-living relief, go to: https://actionnetwork. org/petitions/cost-of-livingrelief-for-remote-communities? source=direct_link&

Budding baristas Lilz Woosup (left) and Raylene Atu (right) making coffee as part of their training.

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06 NEWS

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS

Joyfulness celebrated at Waiben’s Bahá’í Children’s Fest STORY & PICS BY JOSHUA TOLOUIWALLACE Learning about the spiritual quality of ‘joyfulness’ was the theme of a Children’s Festival held on Waiben last weekend.

Hosted by the local Bahá’í community, it was the fourth regular school holiday event for the families of those who attended classes on Magala Close and was well-attended.

Fun activities across four stations – weaving, pot planting, languagelearning and colouring – were prepared for

Group photo by Waiben beach.

Kai kai time!

and run by families followed by kai kai and socialising.

Classes for the spiritual education of children were organised by the local Bahá’í Community and were open to everyone from all religions and backgrounds.

Teachers undergo a simple training process organised by the Bahá’ís through study and practice.

The classes started almost two years ago.

Each week in their class students learned about various spiritual qualities such as love, kindness, truthfulness and generosity, through

stories, games and art.

Each festival focused on one of these qualities of the soul and brought all the families together in a joyful atmosphere.

It was also a chance for families to pass on cultural and spiritual insights to the next generation.

If you are interested in becoming a teacher of a children’s class in your neighbourhood or just want to learn more about how we can work together to build a strong community, please get in touch with the Bahá’ís by emailing torres@ qld.bahai.org.au or visit us at our Centre at 76 Douglas St.

Aunty Gibra Sambo teaches the children to plant cuttings.

Children learning new words in French by Aunty Josie Gushtasby.

Some of the children having fun!

Toddlers group having fun by the beach.

Learning to weave with Aunty Nay Gabey.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ADVERTISERS

Working together to laminate the colouring in sheets for the children to take home.

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Labour Day public holiday Monday 6 May

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12 NOON Tuesday, 3 May One of the children’s class teachers and organisers of the festival, Anne Akee, standing by the kai kai lunch.

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

GAB TITUI 20TH ANNIVERSARY 07

Gab Titui Cultural Centre celebrates 20 years STORY BY DARREN MONCRIEFF PICS BY DARREN MONCRIEFF & FLORA WARRIA The Torres Strait Islands’ premier arts and cultural facility the Gab Titui Cultural Centre – celebrated a significant milestone this week, marking its first 20 years of operations.

Special guests and visitors to the region joined the arts and Waiben community at the refurbished centre to acknowledge 20 Years of Arts & Cultural Sovereignty (20042024).

The event kicked off on Tuesday with an opening ceremony and a very special exhibition by artist the late Billy Missi – who was also one of the first artists to exhibit at the centre in 2004.

Gab Titui Exhibition and Public Programs Manager Leitha Assan was MC for the opening event, as the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation performed a Welcome to Country before Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen officially opened the event, followed by guest speaker Tribal Elder Yawa Garka and Koey Buway Wagadagam Gabriel Bani.

Mr Stephen was among the original working committee who envisaged building

a centre where Torres Strait art and culture could be showcased and have a ‘keeping place’.

He said at the time, there was no dedicated location for traditional and contemporary art from the Torres Strait community.

Gab Titui changed all that.

“Gab Titui sits on the aspirations and the dreams of our ancestors,” Mr Stephen said.

“It is a ‘journey of the stars’, and as we reflect back, it gives us the onus and a responsibility to understand our past to appreciate our present.

“It’s a continued journey, and while we have the privilege of this anniversary, we remember this was a keeping place and a springboard and launchpad for artists.

“It is also about a ‘cultural village’, a place where people can come sit down and yarn, for wakai waian.”

Mr Stephen said there remained a responsibility to keep that work going.

“I recall the concept of a flower – it buds first, then the bud opens up; culturally, yumi is still in that sense the bud, and as it opens up we have the responsibility to showcase that and we use whatever we have around us,” he said.

“When initiatives happen in our community we don’t lack foresight or vision, but when we stand up and walk in partnership we want true partnership not just empty promises.

“We have a building that can take us forward.

“Gab Titui will always be that stepping stone for artists.

“There’s a lot of things Gab Titui can provide, (like) a strong foundation for artists and the island community to move forward.”

Mr Stephen paid tribute to the dedicated staff of the cultural centre.

“Lastly, I want to congratulate our staff at the ‘Gab’ – you are building on that 20-years’ experience and we stand united,” he said.

“We have a proud, strong vibrant culture as one people that yumi promote.

“I acknowledge our staff and the great work they’ve done.

“I am looking forward to promoting this very good story and the journey of our staff.”

In 2003, Mr Bani said his father Ephraim was part of the original committee that began talks to get an arts and culture centre on Waiben underway. “[Today] I held up the shovel that turned the first soil in 2003,” he said.

“The shovel is a symbol of the value of hard work.

“Today and tonight, we are the soil. The turning of the soil is you and I. How we establish the future is with this house now.

“Culture is the environment that we create.”

Ms Pethari Bani and her son Gabriel Bani cut the Gab Titui Cultural Centre celebratory cake.

ABOVE & BELOW: Traditional dance and singing heralded Gab Titui’s 20th year celebrations on Waiben last Tuesday.

Johnny Morseu performing traditional dance.

TN0802

Issue: 11/4/24_____ EXCEL DOC E DUMMY E Ad F E TSRA. Issue invoice direct to Quinten E ... for CC payment or PO# E ____________

TSIMA live broadcast of the[$176.73ex] opening ceremony Gab4pm Titui’s 9x4 [36]did ad @a $5.40 rate $194.40incl.

Proof /bookofAPP: Mon.20th 8/4 year celebrations at Waiben on Tuesday – from<Quinten.Hirakawa@tsra.gov.au> left: Diat Alferink and Jen Enosa.

Quinten Hirakawa

Expressions of Interest Torres Strait Spanish Mackerel & Coral Trout Fishing Quota 24/25 Season The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from interested parties to take up leasing options for the Torres Strait Protected Zone Spanish mackerel and Coral trout fisheries in 2024-25.

EOIs must address the criteria outlined in the EOI Information Package and be received by no later than 5pm on Friday 3 May 2024.

Special guest speaker Gabriel Bani with a shovel used in May 2003 to help launch the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Pic by Carli Willis.

For further enquiries and to obtain an EOI Information Package, please contact TSRA Fisheries Senior Project Officer Quinten Hirakawa at TSRA by telephone on (07) 4069 0700, toll free on 1800 079 093 or email fisheries@tsra.gov.au

08 GAB TITUI 20TH ANNIVERSARY

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS PICS BY CARLI WILLIS – OPENING CEREMONY

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

GAB TITUI 20TH ANNIVERSARY 09

Exhibition homecoming celebrates cultural sovereignty STORY AND PICS

BY CARLI WILLIS

Northsite Contemporary Arts Curator Aven Noah.

Gab Titui Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager Leitha Assan.

for the next generation.

“We have a place where we display our artworks, and tell our stories.”

Mr Noah said the late Mr Missi was one of a cohort of artists who became ambassadors for the print-making movement in the Torres Strait.

“From the mentoring and the teachings of artists like Billy, I can see the print-making practice will continue forward and generally become stronger,” he said.

The travelling exhibition launched in Cairns in 2020 but amid the pandemic, Mr Noah said it was hard for families to attend.

Gab Titui Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager Leitha Assan has worked at the centre for 18 years and said it filled her with pride to work there.

She said it meant a great deal to the Zenadth

Kes community to have the late Billy Missi’s works and stories lining the walls of the gallery.

“He’s one of our most profound artists in the region, especially on print and we’ve come full circle 20 years later,” she said.

“When the Cultural Centre opened, we exhibited one of Billy’s first exhibitions here.

“It’s a blessing to have him here again, showcasing his artwork 20 years later.”

Ms Assan said art was one form of maintaining and revitalising culture.

“Twenty years proud, twenty years of arts and cultural sovereignty,” she said.

“Keeping our culture strong, keeping our culture alive, through exhibitions and cultural maintenance projects that we have out in our community but also welcoming our visitors, international or national, to our beautiful centre.”

Pic by Carli Willis.

The late Billy Missi’s family lead a procession into the gallery for the opening of the exhibition.

ABOVE: MC Leitha Assan at the opening of the Billi Missi’n Wakain Thamai Exhibition.

LEFT: The Gubaw Goeyga Dance Group’s Peggy Missi (the late Billy Missi’s sister) performing at the opening. Pics by Darren Moncrieff.

Pic by Carli Willis.

Themes of ceremony, stars, sea, plant cultivation, creatures and kinship are the foundation of the moving Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai exhibition, which has come home to help celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Gab Titui.

Cairns-based Northsite Contemporary Arts Curator Aven Noah said he came up through the arts industry as a trainee at Gab Titui in 2006 before he branched out.

He said he had the privilege of working with the late Billy Missi during his early printmaking days.

“He was always talking with the younger generation about the stories behind these works,” he said.

“It’s an emotional time, especially with his passing and bringing this exhibition back home and celebrating with family friends and the wider community.”

He said he was proud to be home where it all started for many like him.

“I think it’s mixed emotions,” he said.

“To have a place like this, a keeping place where it’s very important

The late Billy Missi’s nephew Willy Missi lets the audience know the family will sing a song to welcome people to the exhibition. Pic by Carli Willis.

Kailu George & Jimi K Thaiday. Pic Darren Moncrieff.

People file into the GAB Titui Wabunaw Geth Gallery.

Flora Taylor, Nazareth Adidi, Rose Tomsana & Maria Ware, from Moa Island at the opening. Pic Darren Moncrieff.

10

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS

Mapping Native Title

DETERMINATIONS

Understanding our Native Title Story

Native title is the way the Australian legal system recognises (through the Federal Court of Australia) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ traditional rights and interests in their Country based on Aboriginal lore or Ailan Kastom (the ‘traditional laws and customs’).

These determinations include: • 15 inhabited islands (with the court recognising exclusive native title rights and interests over 14 islands, including Prince of Wales Island; and nonexclusive native title over Horn Island); and • 44,000km2 of non-exclusive native title rights over sea country (seas claim Part A, and most of Parts B and C).

Across the Torres and Endeavour Straits, the Federal Court of Australia has made 29 native title determinations, recognisising native title over more than 100 islands, inlets cays and sea country 142°0'E

142°30'E

143°0'E

143°30'E

144°0'E

144°30'E

145°0'E

9°0'S

141°30'E

9°0'S

141°0'E

Across Australia there are 615 determinations.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Papua

Boigu Island #2

9°30'S

Papua

10°0'S

Turu Cay

Pa

aN pu

ew

Gu

ine

F a-

ish

e er i

ict sd ur i sJ

Saibai Island

Ugar (Stephens Islanders) #1

Pearce Cay

Buru & Warul Kawa

Kerr Islet

L ion

To uinea -

Anchor Cay East Cay

Dauan People Deliverance Island

New G

ed uinea - Seab New G

TORRES STRAIT

Badu & Moa People #2

Moa Island (Mualgal People)

Torres Strait Regional Sea Claim

Garboi Mabo Yarpar & Uttu

Warraberalgal, Porumalgal and Iama Peoples

Badu Islanders #1

Masig People and Damuth People

Yam Islanders /Tudulaig People

Mabuiag People Mualgal People #2

Mer (Murray Island)

Warraber People

Meriam People

Kulkalgal People

Porumalgal Poruma People

Hawkesbury Island

10°30'S

Erubam Le (Darnley Islanders) #1

Jurisdiction Line

Gebara Islanders #1

ine

9°30'S

Papua New Guinea - Seabed Jurisdiction Line

Bramble Cay e cted Zon it Prote rres Stra

Kulkalgal People #2

Gur A Baradharaw Kod To r r e s S t r a i t S e a and Land Council 10°30'S

Papua New Guinea - Fisheries Jurisdiction Line

10°0'S

Papua New Guinea - Torres Strait Protected Zone

Dugong Island

Thursday Island Kaurareg People (Ngurupai)

! (

Kaurareg People (Murulag #1) Kaurareg People (Murulag #2)

Kaurareg People (Zuna)

Kaurareg

EN

Torres Strait Determinations

DE

O AV

UR

RA

IT

Kulkalgal /

Seisia

Kemer Kemer Torres Strait Meriam Regional Seas Claim

! (

Bamaga

11°0'S

11°0'S

ST

Gudang Yadhaykenu

Ankamuthi

Land Determination

11°30'S

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Boundary

Gudang Yadhaykenu / Kulkalgal / Kemer Kemer Meriam MacLennan Cay

CAPE YORK PENINSULA

Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Boundary

Moulter Cay

0

Cape York Land Council Aboriginal Corporation

50

Raine Island Kilometres Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020

Sea Determination

C a p e Yo r k L a n d Council Aboriginal Corporation

Torres Strait Regional Seas Claim Group Areas [Shown coloured] With the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and where otherwise noted, this map is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 141°0'E

25

11°30'S

Kaurareg People (Mipa, Tarilag, Yeta, Damaralag)

141°30'E

142°0'E

Topographic data sourced from Geoscience Australia.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Boundary sourced from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2020.

PNG Treaty lines sourced from Australian Maritime Boundaries 2014a - Geodatabase. Geoscience Australia

Prepared by: Geospatial Services, National Native Title Tribunal 3/08/2023 142°30'E

Filepath: V:\QLD\Regional Products\Torres Strait\GT2023_0692_Torres_Strait_Regional_Seas_proceedings\20230803_Torres_Strait_Determinations_Map_Region_Seas_A3L.mxd

143°0'E

143°30'E

144°0'E

144°30'E

145°0'E

Geotrack Number: GT2023/0692

11

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

What is the difference between EXCLUSIVE and NON-EXCLUSIVE native title? native title grants the o y an area t p u c c o d n e sa s, they hav t to posses d h r ig o r w e r h e t h s t r In o holde f that land all others. o f e o s n u d io s n a lu rs to the exc ss by othe e c c a r e v o control hip old owners h or water. e e fr to r a il d. e title is sim iv t a n sell the lan e iv to s t h ig r Exclu e th ot include but does n

itle

ve T Exclusive Nati

Non-Exclusive Native Title exis

ts alongside other non-Indigenous property rights, such as pastoral leases. It is ca lled “non-exclusive” be cause others also have rights to the land.

Non-exclusive native tit le rights may include th e right to access, hunt, and ca mp on traditional coun try, but it does not grant contro l over access by others to the area. These rights coex ist with the rights of ot her land users, allowing for shar ed use of the land or wa ters (for example camping rese rves and the sea country )

PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of whether exclusive native title or non-exclusive native title rights are recognised – native title determinations always state that when native title holders exercise their native title rights: 1. they must not break the laws of the Commonwealth and the State of Queensland; and 2. they must respect the interests of others which are named in the determination and continue to let them exercise their rights (for example Testra and local councils).

Who is the best contac?t for a determined area Registered Native Title Body Corporates (also known as RNTBCs, Pres cribed Body Corporates or PBCs) manage the na tive title rights on behalf of the native tit le holders.

There are 22 PBCs in th e region GBK supports under our Native Title Se rvice Provider duties.

Across Australia there are 268 PBCs.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR REGION’S

Native Title Story GBK has published “The Native Title Story of the Torres Strait Region”. This booklet explains how native title has been recognised in the Torres and Endeavours Straits Region (Torres Strait Region) and what this recognition means for Native Title Holders and those dealing with them.

Get your copy on the GBK website or scan this QR link

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

12 NEWS & CLASSIFIEDS

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS

Women break local government election records CLASSIFIED

BY CARLI WILLIS

ADVERTISING J 0419 828 639 J ads@torres.news

Senior Area Officer Thursday Island Ports North is responsible for the development and management of port facilities vital to the economic growth of Cairns and regional centres in Far North Queensland. The Corporation has extensive property, marina, tourism and cargo facilities in Cairns and its regional ports.

An exciting opportunity exists for a Senior Area Officer to join the team at the Port of Thursday Island.

Reporting to the Port Supervisor you will be required to provide effective support to the Port Supervisor in the day to day running of operations at the Port of Thursday Island by organizing and undertaking activities and maintenance to deliver safe, secure and cost effective port services to existing and potential customers.

The role will assist the Port Supervisor in planning and scheduling daily work programs and relieve the Port Supervisor as and when required.

The successful applicant will be a team player with well-developed customer service and communication skills and be able to satisfy the criteria for obtaining a Maritime Security Identification Card.

Experience in repair and maintenance of plant, equipment and facilities would be an advantage.

A current Drivers Licence, minimum Recreational Marine Licence (RMDL) and computer literacy skills will be essential for this role.

Further information on the role is available on: www.portsnorth.com.au/about-us/ employment/ Applications close 26 April 2024 and can be sent to: recruitment@portsnorth.com.au or Recruitment – Ports North, PO Box 594, Cairns Qld 4870. www.portsnorth.com.au

A record number of women successfully ran in Queensland’s recent local government election, including in the Torres Strait.

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.

Torres Shire Council (TSC) voters elected a new female Mayor for the second time in history, and Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) candidate Regina Turner made her decision to run just five weeks out from polling day.

She said she knew the short notice might have meant she would be unsuccessful, but trying for the position was a win.

“Being in leadership for a long time, I thought well, I have skills and I have qualifications that I can give back to my community,” she said.

She said women brought a different way of governance to the table that she felt returned greater togetherness in communities.

“Women are very inclusive, we’re always thinking not just here in front of us, we’re thinking of those behind us as well,” she said.

In 2016 Torres Shire elected Vonda Malone as the first Zenadth Kes female mayor followed by the Northern Peninsula Area who elected their first female Mayor, Patricia Yusia, in 2020.

Ms Turner said it was the women who came before her who

Thursday Island

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(6 Computer Monitors available)

Relaxation Quiet Space to unwind Hot Coffee/Tea Study area Big TV to unwind Kids play corner Access to Mura Kosker Programs

Michelle Deshong. Pic supplied.

had inspired her to the position.

“In 2016 Auntie Abigail Harry put her name in the hat and then in 2020, I think it was Thomasina Ahwang,” she said.

“I just want to esso them two for giving me the courage to actually go ahead and put my name in the hat.”

She said it was a leadership workshop though, that inched her over the line in deciding to run.

In November, through a partnership between the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Turnstone Collective, Women for Election, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Politics in Colour, a workshop showed Zenadth Kes women what was possible in leadership positions.

Kuku Yalanji woman and Turnstone Collective consultant Michelle Deshong said since she first started working with women in the Torres Strait 15 years ago, politics had changed in leaps and bounds.

“We’ve started to see over the last four or five years, that kind of training is being put into action,” she said.

“If we reflect on the

other side of that.”

She said it was about changing the conversation with themselves.

“To not see them[selves] as a deficit to going into politics, but the strength of what you want to achieve in office,” she said.

Ms Deshong said the last thing that often stopped women from running was the cost.

“We talk a lot around what levels of support are available for women,” she said.

“What’s the reality of how much you have to contribute, what’s the process of fundraising and how might parties support your campaign.

“These workshops are a way of breaking those down in into practical approaches so that people don’t feel like it’s this big, scary, ugly thing, but it brings an opportunity for diverse sets of women to be political representatives.”

Ms Deshong said the political environment was complex in the Torres Strait and there had been considerable efforts to encourage women to run for election.

“I think that one of the things that shines

last TSRA elections, we had more women standing in those elections and more women elected to the TSRA Board.”

Ms Deshong said three things often stopped women from running for politics.

“For a lot of women, it’s about competing priorities, caring responsibilities, and they often find themselves saying, ‘oh, maybe not now, maybe in the future’,” she said.

“The second is really about public life, and the conversations around the scrutiny, media, social media and how you manage that.

“Part of that comes from what we see every day about the way that politicians are represented in the media.

“Trying to change the narrative for people to understand that you can prepare for it, but also control it.

“If there are things that have happened in your past, and we’ve all got a past, then kind of owning that, and just saying, ‘well, my only experience looks like this’.

“It’s also one of the reasons why I’m a really good candidate because I understand being on the

very strongly in the Torres Strait is the conversations around culture and religion, and how those spaces can sometimes create elements of silence or places of silence or women,” she said.

“Over the past few years, part of unpacking this is also saying ‘these systems are created for everybody to participate in’.

“So what we need to do is create pathways and strategies to enable women to be in spaces that for a long time they have not been able to occupy.”

Ms Turner said she would run for mayor again in the next election and she also hoped to see more young women put their hand up next time.

“There was some in the program that were like, ‘oh, I’m interested, but I’m not really ready to run yet’,” she said.

“I think that’s important because we always see it as a men’s place.

“When you have a look at this year 2024, there were so many women that ran, even women that didn’t do the program here in the Torres Strait, but they want to see change in community.”

WE WANT YOUR NEWS

Buai Mudh Neighbourhood and Community Centre

Regina Turner. Pic supplied.

156 Douglas Street (next to Meriba Mudh) Open 9am to 4:30pm Lunch time closure 12:30pm to 1:30pm We also have Hire facilities available to cater from small to large groups.

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

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

TN0461 • 11-04-24 BOOK ONLINE: WWW.REBELTOURS.COM.AU

NEWS 13

THURSDAY ISLAND/HORN ISLAND FERRY TIMETABLE (03/04/2024) 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.

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – DIAT ALFERINK E editor@torres.news 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.

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.

NEWS & PHOTOS DEADLINE All news, sports & photo contributions

5PM MONDAYS

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION MANAGER – SHARON GALLERY M 0419 828 639 • E ads@torres.news

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12 NOON TUESDAYS 12 NOON TUESDAYS 2PM TUESDAYS 3PM TUESDAYS

PUBLISHERS TORRES NEWS PTY LTD. Diat Alferink – Chief Executive Officer 69 Douglas Street, Thursday Island Q 4875 E editor@torres.news

ACCOUNTS

ABN 16 657 427 908 SHARON GALLERY M 0419 828 639 • E shaztorresnews@gmail.com PO Box 385, Thursday Island Q 4875

CIRCULATION 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.

PUBLISHED – every Thursday.

CIRCULATION NUMBERS – 1000.

READERSHIP AV. – Print readership 4000 + online subscriptions + 8.4k followers on our @TSIMAtorresnews Facebook page

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.

TIMETABLE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO QANTAS SCHEDULING, SOME FERRIES MAY NOT OPERATE. School children have HAMMOND ISLAND SCHOOL FERRY TIMETABLE •priority – Community

Depart Thursday Island • Monday – Friday

Depart Hammond Island • Monday – Friday

6.40am (Departs Rebel Wharf) ***Bookings essential 7.05am (Arrives Engineers Wharf) SCHOOL FERRY 7.25am (Departs Engineers Wharf) 7.45am (Arrives Engineers Wharf) SCHOOL FERRY 3.20pm (Departs Engineers Wharf) SCHOOL FERRY 3.35pm (Arrives Engineers Wharf) 3.55pm (Departs Engineers Wharf) SCHOOL FERRY

members can travel if space permits.

Please call or email for any queries. This service does not operate on public holidays, school holidays or weekends.

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.

• Please note: Please be aware that we will have ferries to meet every Qantas and Skytrans flight from Cairns. If you can not see a ferry that suits your flight please call the office on 4069 1586.

• Bookings are essential for 18:00/18:10 ferry Mon-Fri, and Saturday 06:15/06:20.

• Sunday ferry 13:45/14:00 ONLY operates when Qantas operates that flight.

Office hours are Monday to Friday – 08:00 – 17:00 – Please consider these hours to make bookings – our office is not manned outside of these hours and we can not look up bookings or emails. We answer the phone whilst the ferry is running, but please try to book during office hours. Schedule may change without notice.

AVOID THE QUEUE!

SCAN ME and Book your ferry now using this QR code, pay online.

Photo Competition Each month our proud sponsor CEQ will pick their favourite entry and the winner will receive a $150 Gift Card to use at any of your local CEQ stores!

Each week we will publish a pic showing the Ailan way of life in the Torres Strait and the NPA – the kids swimming, a BBQ at the beach, fishing, scenic shot, etc – from local photographers and readers across our region.

Just email us your pic of Ailan

Life along with your name, phone number and a 25-word description to ads@torres.news This week’s Thursday Island sunset panorma pic was submitted

by Bernie Feenan.

Bernie is now in the draw to win this month’s $150 gift card!

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.

14 SPORT

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024 TORRES NEWS

Nearly 100 Auskickers signed up across inner islands

BY AFL CAPE YORK DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR KIERAN SCIBERRAS

Auskick across Thursday Island, Kirriri and Horn Island is set to hit record heights with 93 Auskickers registered across the inner islands.

This week marks the fourth week of AFL’s nationally recognised after-school AFL program in which participants receive a water bottle, AFL backpack, pump and football.

There’s still time to register and join in on the fun – talk to your school office for more details.

Clinics a hit on Waibene and Kirriri Social AFL continues to grow each week on Thursday Island – 92 people have signed up via the online registration portal with a lot more coming down to sign up each Wednesday afternoon.

Next Wednesday will be our last night of Social AFL with 10-12 year olds kicking off at 4pm; 13-15 year olds from 5pm; and 16+/adults from 6pm.

Last week, AFL Cape York was also lucky enough to partner up with the team at Torres Health to deliver school holiday clinics on Ken Brown Oval (Waiben) and the community oval on Kirriri.

Students to take on Cairns’ best For the third consecutive year, students from some of the most remote schools in Queensland will take on Cairns’ best junior school AFL teams at the AFLQ Schools Cup. This year, AFL Cape York will support a junior high-school girls team, a primary male team, and for the first time a primary female team to make the 2000km plus return trek to Watson’s Oval in Cairns.

Whilst in Cairns the students will have the opportunity to stay at AFL Cape York House’s Boarding facilities, work with our affiliate AFL

Cairns side – the Cairns Eagles and engage in advanced AFL training and team-building activities.

From this program, in the past two years, 14 players have been selected to represent in the Crusaders Talent Program, one has been selected to represent Queensland and one has been selected into the Gold Coast Suns Academy program.

Teams will be announced in the coming weeks, so to put yourself in the best seat for selection, make sure you’re coming to school, doing the right thing and trying your best during the AFL Cape York visits.

Participation of Northern Peninsula Area and Torres Strait students in the AFLQ Schools Cup was proudly supported by Hinterland Aviation, AFL Queensland, Community Enterprises Queensland, Bamaga Enterprises Ltd, Torres Shire Council, AFL Cape York House for Girls and AFL Cape York House for Boys.

Tagai Primary TI Auskick.

School holidays AFL.

Tagai Primary TI Auskick.

Upcoming AFL programs Monday – Tagai State College – Horn Island program + After-school Auskick.

Tuesday – Tagai State College – Thursday Island Primary Program + Afterschool Auskick.

Horn Island Auskick.

Wednesday – Tagai State College – Thursday Island Secondary program + Social AFL. Thursday – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School – Thursday Island Campus + After-school Auskick.

Friday – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School – Kirriri Campus.

School holidays AFL.

Women’s Mackay Cutters top the ladder

BY ALF WILSON

general Tahlulah each scored a try.

Skilful Jasmine Peters, Tahlulah Tillett, Essay Banu, Sareka and Lyrech Mara were key members of the Mackay Cutters side who defeated the Clydesdales 34-6 at Toowoomba on Sunday.

After five rounds of the QRL Women’s Premiership, the Cutters are at the top of the table in the 10-club competition.

Jasmine lined up at centre, Tahlulah at halfback and Essay a front-row forward in the Cutters run-on side.

Sareka and Lyrech were used off the interchange with great effect.

Hard-running Jasmine and crafty on-field

Queensland Cup Cairns-based Northern Pride with fullback Seamus King-Smith starring lost 30-22 to the Dolphins at Redcliffe Stadium in round 5 of the Queensland Cup on Saturday.

In front of a big crowd at Townsville’s Jack Manski Oval on Saturday the Blackhawks, who included Gehamat Shibasaki, lost 40-30 to Wynnum-Manly Seagulls.

It was a seven triesto-five performance by the Seagulls which led 22-6 at halftime.

On Sunday the Mackay Cutters defeated

the ladder with the Pride eighth, Capas ninth, Hunters 10th and Blackhawks 11th.

Cutters win

Proud Waiben-based LJ Shibasaki between her grandsons Jamal, left, and Gehamat Shibasaki after they played against each other in Townsville last week. Pic supplied. the Clydesdales 52-14 at Toowoomba and big forward Jamal Shibasakli scored a try for the winners.

Edrick Lee scored a try for the CQ Capras in their 38-8 loss to

the Norths Devils in Brisbane.

The strong Devils side included full-back Julian Christian who was a regular for Erub United when they play.

After round 5 the Cutters were leading

In an exciting inaugural QRL Under-19 Women’s grand final the Mackay Cutters defeated the Brisbane Tigers 18-16 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Redcliffe proved too strong for Townsville Blackhawks winning the grand final of Saturday’s Cyril Connell Cup 24-10.

And in round 9 of the Mal Meninga Cup, the Dolphins defeated Northern Pride 30-14, the Seagulls beat the Blackhawks 44-6, Cutters rolled the Clydesdales 34-16, and the Devils beat the Capras 36-8.

M Continued from P15

BY ALF WILSON

The Tony Harry Memorial Trophy was presented by the family to Lottie Misick as the Best Server in the women’s division.

“Tony got involved in a lot of sports in this region and represented Torres Strait down south,” Patricia said.

“He was HLO for Warraber until his illness stopped him from work.

“He was a very good husband for me and a great father for our children.

“He had a heart of gold and wanted to see our youth get into sport.”

Patricia said Tony was a humble and caring person and a quiet achiever.

“Volleyball was one of his favourite sports and he always played at carnivals and social games during his HLO activities,” she said.

“This carnival was an emotional event for us because he is not with us, to see his sons play for the first time.

“One of our sons, Roman, got men’s Player of the Carnival.

“So it was emotional for me as well as exciting to see our achievements.

“I can say we miss having Tony around us.

“We will always love and remember him for who he was.”

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2024

Three of our best make Boomers

BY VELMA GARA Experienced guard Patty Mills has been named in the Australian Boomers 22-player squad and will participate in the training camp in July to select the final 12 ahead of Paris 2024.

Mills is one of 10 players from the Tokyo 2020 team who won Australia’s first men’s Olympic bronze medal.

Also included was Perth Wildcats power

forward/centre, Keanu Pinder, who had a great season with the Perth Wildcats averaging 13 points per game and six rebounds.

They are joined by Will McDowell-White, from NZ Breakers, who also had a great NBL season.

Among the next wave, a pack of young guns will also be in contention for a spot at the Olympics.

They include international talents Josh Giddey, Dyson

Daniels, Jack White and Xavier Cooks as well as US college star Johnny Furphy who played well for the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 this season.

From the NBL, DJ Vasiljevic and Rocco Zikarsky were also named after solid NBL campaigns and key performances for the Boomers against Korea and Indonesia at the recent FIBA 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers.

This initial squad would be refined again

before a training camp in July with a final 12 selected to meet the world’s best at the Olympics in late July–August.

Leading the Boomers to a fourth Olympics as head coach was Brian Goorjian who said he was determined to use learnings from recent performances as a catalyst of evolution.

“The Basketball World Cup in 2023 marked a new beginning for the Boomers,”

Goorjian said.

“We were able to introduce some new faces and identify areas that we needed to advance and improve.

“What we have experienced is the emergence of Australians at the top level overseas and the evolution of the NBL as a worldclass league with high-powered scoring offenses, so we want to drive a game that is familiar but unique to our group.”

Magical pass by Ezra sparks win

BY ALF WILSON A magical 20-metre cut-out pass by Ezra Mam sparked a 28-14 win by the Brisbane Broncos over the Dolphins, while the losing team’s star fullback Hamiso TabuaiFidow suffered a painful hamstring injury.

Hamiso was forced to leave the field at the 22nd minute and didn’t return. He could be out of action for several weeks.

The Broncos led 6-4 at halftime and just four minutes after the break five-eighth Ezra fired out a brilliant cut-out pass to winger Corey Oates who scored a try.

After that, the Broncos dominated to lead 28-4 at one stage before the Dolphins crossed for two late tries.

Classy Ezra formed a great combination with fullback Reece Walsh who returned from injury.

Ezra had an injury scare of his own when suffering an ankle strain but he managed to stay on the field and guide his side to victory.

Tristan Sailor came off the interchange bench for the Broncos and played well.

This week, the Broncos are at home again, this time against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday night.

The Dolphins are Darwinbound and will meet Parramatta at Marrara Oval.

While Hamiso will miss this game, it is hoped that Dolphins forward Tom Flegler will return after an injury.

Roosters crow A disallowed Newcastle Knights try by Dane Gagai after the referee and bunker ruled there had been an obstruction proved the difference in the side’s 22-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Thursday.

The Knights had the majority of home crowd support at McDonald Jones Stadium.

At the 58th minute, Gagai burst through the defence out wide to cross for what looked like a four-pointer.

But officials deemed there had been an obstruction in the lead-up and disallowed it.

Even though commentators felt there was no way the defender, who was ruled to have been obstructed, would have made a tackle it was the correct decision under the current rules.

Dane booted two conversions at the 38th and 76th minutes after taking over kicking duties from an injured Kalyn Ponga.

The Knights tackle the Bulldogs in round 7 while the Roosters open the round against the Storm on Thursday.

Reuben leads the way Despite a heroic performance

by Reuben Cotter, North Queensland lost 27-20 to Parramatta in Sydney on Saturday.

Reuben was outstanding in attack and defence and as cocaptain of the side questioned the referee several times about on-field decisions.

The loss continues the Cowboys’ winless run at Parramatta since 2015.

In a much-anticipated match next Sunday, the third-placed Cowboys travel to Sydney to

face arch-rivals Cronulla.

Xav, Seb in thriller Backline partners Xavier Savage and Sebastian Kris were overjoyed when their Canberra Raiders scored a thrilling 21-20 golden point victory over Gold Coast in Canberra on Sunday night.

Centre Seb and winger Xavier both had great games and the win was secured by a field goal in the second period of extra time.

While they celebrated after the siren, Titans secondrower David Fifita was left disappointed.

He played his heart out and it was a much-improved effort by the Titans.

In the other games, Melbourne defeated the Bulldogs 16-14 in a cliffhanger, the New Zealand Warriors and Manly played out a 22-all draw (after two five-minute periods of extra-time failed to elicit a score from either side), the Sharks rolled South Sydney 34-22, and the Dragons beat the Wests Tigers 24-12.

Women’s volleyball trophy in Tony’s honour

SPORT 15

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Tony Harry Jnr, Simona Harry, Patricia Harry, Lottie Misick, Sylvia Harry, Roman Harry, Jophina Harry & Kelita Harry. Pic Danny Billy.

BY ALF WILSON Emotions ran high for Patricia Harry and her sons and daughters

when they remembered and honoured her husband, and the kids’ late father Tony Harry Snr at the Zenadth Kes volleyball carnival

on Warraber Island earlier this month.

Tony was much loved and respected on Warraber and around the Torres Strait.

He passed away last September.

A memorial trophy in his honour was presented to the women’s division donated by Ella Kris,

who was a work colleague of Tony, and a friend.

Story continued on P14 N

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Mistee’s AFL game a ‘clear standout’

ABOVE: Mistee had a heap of fans and well-wishers at the national championships: (back row, from left) Hannah Johnson, Jakita Clarke, Mistee Sagigi, Tari Sagigi (Mistee’s mum) and Halle Clarke; (middle) Taye, Mila and Leila Clarke; and (front) Harper Mills. Pic supplied.

MAIN PIC: Mistee in action. Pic by Grimes Photos.

Mistee Sagigi’s Gold Coast Suns Academy team may have been defeated on the field from their Brisbane Lions counterparts at the AFL Women’s Under-16 Championships, but her efforts for Queensland’s ‘other team’ were a standout.

Mistee, 14, played in all three of the Suns’ games at the championships.

In the first two games, she played in the forward line but in game three she played as a defender.

In the final game, the Lions defeated the Suns by 121 points – 20.14 (134) to 2.1 (13).

Gold Coast were pitted against the Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans Academy teams, and Western Australia at the national championships.

Mistee, Eva Hooper (North Mackay) and Ella Johnston (Cairns Saints) were the only players in the Suns side from North Queensland.

AFL Cape York Development Officer Kieran Sciberras said Mistee was a clear standout.

“Mistee capped off her experience in the championships with the Gold Coast Suns in a tough game against the Brisbane Lions,” he said.

“From her previous matches in the series against the Sydney Swans Academy and Western Australia, her ferocity at the ball and hard tackling style were a clear standout for coaching staff.”

Mistee’s Mum, Tari, was on hand to watch her daughter play.

“Seeing Mistee play was a dream come true,” she said.

“She did very well in all three games for the Gold Coast Suns; she played forward and in defence in the last game which she loved.

“The Gold Coast Suns Academy program is professional in all aspects and perfect for all those girls

and boys looking at developing their game.

“The girls didn’t focus on the scoreboard, they focused on their own personal goals and going hard every run.

“I was able to see Mistee change from the forward line to the back where she dominated and I saw the TI Mistee.

“We’re all so proud of her in all that she’s accomplished over this year. “We can’t wait to see where AFL takes her.”

Tari praised AFL Cape York for the support Mistee had on her football journey.

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“Their support is incredible,” Tari said.

“They looked after her all the way from ‘TI’ to Melbourne to Brisbane.

“She stays AFL House in Cairns, they take her to training, they are amazing.

“Kieran is fantastic, too, if it weren’t for him Mistee wouldn’t have had these opportunities.”

Mistee’s involvement in the National Development Championships was proudly supported by AFL Cape York House Foundation and the Gold Coast Suns.