Torres News_Edition 176_24 April 2025

Thursday, 24 April 2025

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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Polling booths open across Zenadth Kes Hundreds of early voting centres have opened progressively across the country since Tuesday this week.

The Australian Electoral Commission

warned voters should check opening and closing dates, as not all early voting centres were open for the entire two-week early voting period.

All early voting centres will be closed on Anzac Day, Friday, 25 April.

Boigu, Erub, Iama, St Paul’s remote voting was completed this week.

REMOTE VOTING Badu Community Hall 10.30am-2.30pm 2 May 2025 Dauan Community Hall 10am-1pm 28 April 2025

Hammond Is Community Hall 9.30am-12.30pm 30 April 2025 Injinoo Community Hall 9.30am-3.30pm 1 May 2025 Kubin Community Hall

10am-1pm 29 April 2025 Mabuiag Community Hall 10.30am-1.30pm 26 April 2025 Masig Community Hall 9.30am-1.30pm 1 May 2025

Ula a hit with holiday-makers

Mer TSIRC Hall 9.30am-1.30pm 26 April 2025 New Mapoon Community Hall 9am3pm 30 April 2025 Poruma Community Hall 10.30am-1.30pm 1 May 2025 Saibai Community Hall 9am-1pm 29 April 2025 Seisia Indigenous Knowledge Centre 2pm-5pm 29 April 2025 Torres Strait Aged Care Association (Thursday Island) 1.30-3.30pm 2 May 2025 Ugar Community Hall 9am-midday 28 April 2025 Umagico Community Hall 9am-midday 29 April 2025 Warraber Community Hall 10.30am-1.30pm 30 April 2025

PRE POLLING

School holidays may be over, and the new term started this week, but a visit by four-legged six-year-old Ula to the school holiday program at the PKA Hall on Waiben during the first week of holidays will be long-remembered! Pic supplied. FULL STORY & MORE PICS ON PAGE 8.

Anglican Parish Hall, Thursday Island Monday 28 April – Thursday 1 May 9am-5pm Friday 2 May 9am-6pm PLEASE CHECK THE TIMES AND DATES ABOVE ARE CORRECT ON THE AEC WEBSITE AT https://www.aec.gov. au/election/fe25/ remote-voting.htm

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THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Tributes flow for Pope Torres Strait is deeply saddened by the passing of his holiness Pope Francis, Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby says.

“He will always be remembered for his strong commitment to justice, fairness and compassion for all,” he said.

Cairns Diocese Bishop Joe Caddy acknowledged the Pope’s passing “with a spirit of deep sadness”.

“We acknowledge the

8.html

Your North Queensland airline connecting the islands of the Torres Strait with Cairns and Bamaga

death of Pope Francis, who returned to his loving God on Monday, April 21, 2025,” he said.

“Despite his own difficulties and suffering, he led us all with a sense of great joy, faith and hope until the end.

“From the beginning of his pontificate in 2013, he urged pastors to be close to their people, asking them to, “be shepherds with the smell of sheep”.

“He was a champion of the poor and promoted care for all creation strongly encouraging leaders to address matters of climate change.

“He promoted the participation of all in the life of the church which he once described as a “field hospital after battle” saying that: “the mission of the church is to heal wounds of the heart, to open doors, to free people, to say that God is good, God forgives all, God is the Father”.”

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, said Pope Francis would be remembered as a man of simplicity, humility and compassion.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the first non-European pope in centuries, the first Latin American pope, the first

Jesuit pope and the first to take the name Francis when he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

“The sad news of the death of Pope Francis, while it does not come as a surprise given his age and his declining health in recent years, will be received with great sadness by Catholics, and by people of goodwill, all over the world,” Archbishop Costelloe said.

Parishes around the country will hold special memorial Masses for Pope Francis in the coming days.

Information on those commemorations can be found on local parish and cathedral websites.

The process of the election of a new pope will unfold in the coming days and weeks.

Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul Cardinal Mykola Bychok CSsR will be the sole attendee from Australia at the conclave.

Australian Church and civic representatives were expected to travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.

The Vatican News release can be found here: https://www. vaticannews.va/en/ pope/news/2025-04/ pope-francis-dieson-easter-monday-

FLY WITH A QUEENSLANDER Jackie first ABC

Elder-in-Residence Professor Jackie Huggins AM FAHA (pictured below) has been appointed as the ABC’s inaugural Elder-in-Residence.

Professor Huggins is a Bidjara and BirriGubba Juru woman, and an eminent Australian with a distinguished career working across the community, government and nongovernment sectors and as an author and historian.

The Elder-in-Residence

role was created last year in response to the Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report.

The appointment was for a two-year term, with an option to renew.

“My new role is something that I never imagined I would do when I started my employment at the ABC when I was 16 years of age,” she said.

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks welcomed Professor Huggins.

NEWS 03

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

Pymble-Tagai opportunity inspires students to stay in school Pymble Ladies’ College, located in Sydney’s northwestern suburbs, has announced an innovative “Come to School” initiative in partnership with Tagai State College, which will see 30 Year 5 and 6 girls and boys, and their parent or carer, travel to Sydney later this year.

The idea was designed to inspire First Nations students through improved attendance, attitude, achievement and aspiration.

The week-long educational experience would be hosted by Pymble Ladies’ College from September 28 to October 5.

Participants would qualify by demonstrating personal growth in attendance, achievement, attitude and aspiration

across two terms.

“Full school attendance provides students with a solid foundation for future success and opens doors to wonderful opportunities that broaden the perspectives of all involved,” Pymble Ladies’ College Principal Dr Kate Hadwen said.

Tagai State College Executive Principal Jeff Jones said there was significant enthusiasm for the program.

“There is genuine interest and, as we communicate it more broadly to our outer island campuses, there will be great excitement and anticipation,” he said.

To launch the initiative, Pymble’s Social Impact Head Julie Shaw and Indigenous Education Leader Kate Howie came to Thursday Island to meet with

Pymble Ladies’ College Social Impact Head Julie Shaw presenting to the students at Tagai State College. Pic supplied. students and deepen their understanding of Tagai State College.

The partnership was built on Pymble’s established commitment to First Nations education as one of the first to offer First Nations Scholarships to girls from remote

Australia and as a partner with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation since 2011.

Former world champion tennis player Evonne GoolagongCawley, a patron of Pymble’s First Nations Scholarship Program

since 2007, expressed her support.

“Pymble’s history in providing opportunities for young indigenous girls has been tremendous,” she said.

“It’s exciting to hear of this initiative, and we look forward to great outcomes.”

Mayors call for housing action Queensland First Nations leaders have made a dramatic Federal Election campaign plea for urgent funding to help fix the worsening housing crisis in the state’s remote communities.

In an open letter (see right) to all political parties contesting the May 3 poll, prominent Indigenous council mayors have warned that the health and liveability of their communities were being devastated by chronic, decades-long overcrowding.

Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne Butcher, Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Territa Dick and Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Alf Lacey said remote areas of the state were “crying out” for safe, affordable and adequate housing.

Mr Butcher said Queensland’s Indigenous communities were starved of Commonwealth funding for housing.

“There needs to be some urgent investment,” he said.

Hopevale Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Bruce Gibson said his community needed “60 houses tomorrow” to properly address local homelessness.

Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Ralph Kendall said housing was “the biggest issue for all of us here on Cape York”.

He said overcrowding adversely impacted local health and education.

“Kids need to have a decent night’s sleep to have that focus to go to school the next day,” he said.

Mr Lacey said Queenslanders were asking to get their fair share of funding, particularly for trunk infrastructure and community housing.

“Whether we live in an Aboriginal community or a mainstream community – when you have good, affordable housing, community health and the well-being and liveability of our community will change (for the better)…it’s important that all sides of politics listen to why housing is so vital,” he said.

“We’re always in catch-up mode.”

Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Alister Gibson said overcrowding was an issue in all First Nations communities.

“It’s hard for our younger ones to study,” he said.

LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnett said all 77 councils across Queensland were in support of the request for funding to address overcrowding.

LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said the funding sought would support Queensland’s remote and discreet First Nations communities.

“Overcrowding in discrete First Nations communities has increased in Queensland since the end of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH) in 2018,” Ms Smith said.

“The need for new funding to both secure developable land and to build new homes is absolutely critical.”

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Are you a First Nations artist, creating works in Zenadth Kes? The Gab Titui Cultural Centre supports artists to take the next step in their careers, including: Exhibiting works Selling your art and cra through our on-site and online shop Advocating for you on your behalf Promoting you as an artist, with opportunities in and out of the region Upskill and development in your interest areas If you’re interested in becoming an artist with the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, get in touch with our amazing team.

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04 NEWS

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Bina’s Kitchen takes the next step

Top left: Phoebe Nona and Rosena Pilot. Middle left: Evelyn Billy and 10-year-old Phoebe Pilot at the table with a Masig mat and Darnley shell.

Left: First customers Sharine Milne, left, and Peter Idai with some food.

Top: Alicia Nona with Evelyn Billy in the kitchen.

Above: Peter Idai. Top right: at the opening are Maria Frank, Valarie Marshall, Evelyn Billy, Jan Pool from AMR Hall and Phoebe Nona.

Right: Evelyn Billy in the food van.

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STORY AND PICS

BY ALF WILSON Those who have a taste for Ailan kai kai will be excited to know Bina’s Kitchen food van started operations in Townsville earlier this month.

The small business employs two full-time staff and five casuals, and is located at the side of the parking area of the AMR Hall in Aitkenvale.

The hall was named after the late Anatasia Maria Ross and owned and operated by the Townsville Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Women, led by CEO Jan Pool and trading as AMR Development Enterprise.

Before being able to open, staff and crew were waiting for heavy rain to stop so the van could start operations.

The Torres News was there at opening time and beside the van was a comfortable covered area with tables and chairs known as ‘the café’. Inside the café was a table that included a traditional Masig mat,

a shellfrom Darnley and a Bible upon which food can be blessed.

Bina’s Kitchen operator Evelyn Billy, also the head chef, said the van would offer a full menu of many Torres Strait and Aboriginal dishes as well as some nonIndigenous food.

Amongst the main menu dishes bound to be popular were traditional fried fish served with blachan and Jasmin rice; Sarbi fish served with rice; seasoned fish served with salad; pork dinuguan (pig blood with rice); vermicelli and coconut curry chicken.

“We will also have a full range of coffee and customers can sit in comfort here and yarn whilst they eat,” Evelyn said. “Takeaways are also available. We can provide other food types for customers and will be doing catering and platters.”

On opening day the first two customers were Peter Idai and Sharine Milne, who have ties to Bamaga and Saibai Island.

“I have been waiting

for this to open and have ordered several dishes to take back to work – it looks delicious,” Sharine said.

Peter said he was looking forward to being able to buy ailan food regularly.

“I am very hungry,” Peter said.

Another attraction will be a juice menu, which Evelyn said would be popular with Torres Strait Islander people.

“Many of the juices will have ingredients such as noni fruit which our people use for bush medicine,” she said.

The cooks have use of the modern kitchen in the AMR Hall and also a new coffee machine in the van.

“Already tonight we have an order to serve 150 people at a reunion,” Evelyn said.

She said as business grew she intended to employ more First Nations people.

All Townsville City Council approvals were gained for the food van.

Trading hours will be Monday to Saturday between 6am and 1pm and 4pm to 9pm.

NEWS 05

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

Surveying the digital divide STORY BY CHRISTINE HOWES + PIC BY DIAT ALFERINK The way Torres Strait Islanders use technology, such as mobile phones, apps and the internet for things such as gaming, YouTube and/or studying was surveyed on Waiben earlier this month.

Measuring Digital Inclusion for First Nations Australians, a national project aimed at collecting data through surveys and interviews by a team of RMIT researchers, was led

by Associate Professor Heron Loban in local partnership with Torres Strait Islanders Media Association (TSIMA).

“They were long days,” Heron said.

“But people were very keen to have their say.

“We are coming back next year to do the second round of 80 surveys.

“An important part of the project is ensuring that we act on Indigenous data sovereignty, so one of the things we will be doing towards the end of the year is launching a website.”

She said the website would include the data they had processed, not just from Waiben but from the 10 other sites they have surveyed.

“So people will be able to see what digital connectivity, inclusion and literacy look like on Waiben, and also how it compares to other places,” she said.

“So it’s intended to be a survey that can provide information back to the community for their own interest or for their own

community or business, or service purposes as well.”

She said they had also engaged a First Nations consulting business to undertake 2000 surveys of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in capital cities and other regional and rural towns across the country.

“So we’re really trying to capture a national picture, with a view to understanding

where Target 17, from Close the Gap, is,” she said.

“It’s a target that has to be measured.”

She said they were excited for next year.

“It’s a great project and I’m passionate about it,” she said.

For more information about the project, including notification of publications arising from the research, contact Alison Barton at alison. barton@rmit.edu.au

Assoc Prof Heron Loban with co-researchers Joy Kennedy & Lani Lewin.

Can’t make it to a voting place on election day?

Mainlander Eric’s love for Ailan home STORY AND PIC

BY ALF WILSON Every day, Brisbane’s Eric Babia (right) thinks of his beloved home island of Mabuiag.

The 49-year-old Eric is amongst thousands of Torres Strait Islander men, women and children in places such as Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane.

“I speak to my brother Willy Babia on Mabuiag often and have just got off the phone to him,” Eric told the Torres News.

Waiben-born Eric attended primary school on the island until Year 5 when the family moved to Mabuiag.

“We moved back to TI for my last two primary school years and a couple at the high school there,” Eric said.

In 1991, Eric went to Cairns to finish his last three years of high school at the Wangetti Education Centre.

A talented rugby league player in his heyday, Eric moved to Brisbane in 1993 to play with Souths Magpies in the under-19 competition.

“I also played later with Easts Tigers and Wynnum Manly there, and also was in a training program for the Crushers, which were

then in the NRL,” he said.

Eric is married to Margie and has two children, Ezekeial, 23, and Maryke, 21.

“We celebrated Maryke’s 21st birthday in March and had a big get-together – it was great,” he said.

It was 2021 when Eric got an urge to return to Mabuiag, where he started up a cray fishing business.

That went well, and he even exported Crays to Malaysia and China, but when COVID-19 affected that, he went back to Brisbane to paint again.

“I just enjoyed fishing and seeing family and other people I grew up with,” he said.

Even though Eric now resides in the big smoke of Brisbane, he is a proud Torres Strait Islander first and foremost.

“Mabuiag is my home and I will always love it,” he said.

If you can’t get to a voting place on Saturday 3 May, you may be able to vote early.

By law, all Australians aged 18 and over must vote in the federal election.

But if you can’t make it to a voting place on election day, you may be eligible to: • •

vote early at an early voting centre, or apply for a postal vote.

If you’re travelling, working or won’t be in the electorate where you’re enrolled on election day, you’re allowed to vote early.

To find out more and check if you’re eligible to vote early, visit aec.gov.au/early or call 13 23 26.

Your vote will help shape Australia.

To learn more

aec.gov.au 13 23 26

Authorised by the Electoral Commissioner, 10 Mort Street, Canberra.

06 NEWS

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Time to ‘get serious’ about climate change

BY CARLI WILLIS PICS SUPPLIED Zenadth Kes leaders have called on governments to treat climate change as an urgent priority.

Last month, the federal government committed muchneeded funds for seawalls and critical water supply infrastructure.

The funds required co-investment from Queensland’s Crisafulli government, which has yet to respond to community calls to support the projects.

But some have called on governments to look at the bigger picture: at what more can be done to stop climate change.

On Saibai, one of the most northerly and low-lying islands of the Torres Strait, seawalls were built in 2017 and were meant to ensure climate resilience for 50 years.

Saibai Traditional Owner, Uncle Paul Kabai, said it only took

four years for water to rise above the level of the seawall.

He said the water was already bubbling up from under the wall.

“It shows the world and the people out there how we are affected by this rising sea levels, how quickly Saibai is sinking,” he said “We need government to focus on ... how they can stop gas emissions, or reduce it.

“We [also] have unpredictable weather and heavy rains in the region, it’s not like before.”

Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said her government remained focused on renewable energy and the government’s 2024 Net Zero Plan, to join efforts to reduce gas emissions as per the Paris Agreement.

The Coalition opposition did not respond to questions from Torres News about their plans for climate

change mitigation.

Uncle Paul said it was more important than ever to get the voice of the people on the frontline of climate change through to governments.

“We need to talk to our leaders, we need to pass this message clearly and urgently to the [government], otherwise our islands will be underwater,” he said.

“It’s not only affecting the Torres Strait, it’s affecting the world.

“But for us, here on Saibai – I’ve been grown up here, on Saibai – I can see [climate change is] affecting Saibai culturally, spiritually, in health [and] even though our infrastructure on the islands [which has] been destroyed by climate change.”

Uncle Paul Kabai was a claimant in the Australian Climate Case in the federal court, which was the country’s first climate

class action brought by its First Peoples.

He said science had proven the tide level had been rising since the globe began burning oil, gas and fuel.

He said in days gone by, the old people had not realised this was why the tide began to rise so fast.

But young people who had become climate scientists were aware.

“We used to have gardens around the islands and inland, where our grandmothers and grandfathers have worked before,” Uncle Paul said.

“Because the tide level is rising, the ground is contaminated by salt.

“You can see the taro are reduced in size, it’s not like before.

“You can hardly make a garden now in these days because the ground is too soft, muddy, and you can’t even crop anything on the ground.”

Top left: An image of Boigu after rain (in 2023). Pic: Australian Climate Case (ACC).

Top right: Uncle Paul Kabai fears for the future of his island community. Pic: Ruby Mitchell, ACC. Above: Water bubbling up under the seawall.

Right: Uncle Paul Kabai stands in water inundating the seawall on Saibai at high tide.

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08 NEWS

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Holiday fun with ‘Ula’ at PKA Hall

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A four-legged special guest named Ula visited the children on vacation care at the PKA Centre during the first week of school holidays.

Six-year-old Ula was a recruit with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) who was specially trained to smell out fruit in individuals’ luggage at the airport.

Many questions were asked by the children, including – what type of bad things on fruit is the dog smelling for?

At first, Ula was shy and quiet, but was very sensitive to fruit smells that the AQIS team brought to the centre.

Some children were selected to role-play as if they were at the airport.

They all got to see firsthand what Ula is trained to do.

PKA Coordinator Mary Mills Williams said the children got excited and thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

They gave Ula a little pat and received a colouring book from AQIS staff at the end of the visit.

“We are so grateful for service dogs such as this that make our community safe from nasty bugs and fruit flies that can destroy our fruits and much more,” Ms Mills Williams said.

Other activities for the children included Easter posters and linocut prints on t-shirts.

PICS SUPPLIED.

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

09

10 NEWS

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Enthusiasm wins at Townsville’s STORY BY VELMA GARA PICS BY CARLI WILLIS Townsville’s first Youth Fest was hailed a success by organisers, with many young people on board to celebrate youth, culture and community at the Jezzine Barracks.

The program for the day included The Voice Singing School, African Dance Group, Drumming Circle, Seafood Eating Challenge, Shalom First Nations Dancers and the Dunking Pool Challenge.

There were more than 40 stallholders from businesses and organisations.

Organiser and Say La V founder Vicki Saylor participated in the Dunking Pool Challenge along with Townsville politicians and sportspeople.

She said she wanted to show young people they were never too old to have a go, “You just keep getting up and keep going, and I got dunked twice,” she said.

“I think it was better than we ever expected, and that’s what a community can do when they come together in six weeks.

“Next year we’re thinking of doing it later so that people can come from work and we’re going to hopefully attract enough funds so we could put on a concert at night.”

The event’s theme was ‘Through Our Eyes’ and was part of the Queensland Youth Week.

Guest MC and local Sean Choolburra said there was positivity and good energy as everyone came and supported the event.

Top left: Guest MC Sean Choolburra (middle) stylin’ up with Marley Barrett and Sienna-Grace Barrett. Top right: James Tamou praying not to get dunked. Middle right: Vicki Saylor laughs nervously on the dunking chair. Above left: Antwone Stephen puts his name to the Youth Fest canvas provided by the JT Academy Above: Children line up to take aim at Blackhawks player James Tamou. Below: Nancy Gebadi, Maria Frank and Larraine Gabey from Bina’s Kitchen offered ailan kaikai at the event.

NEWS 11 DAVID

KEMPTON

first Youth Festival

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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

Torres Strait & NPA Update

Above: Drumming circle. Left: Cian, Jacaius, Serdonia, Eva, Malu and Eden (in front) enjoying the Youth Fest.

During March, David Kempton, Member for Cook, spent time on Bamaga, Thursday Island, and Horn Island, inspecting water infrastructure, meeting with local councils, and touring a potential mining site.

While rising sea levels and seawalls are ongoing concerns, current priorities include housing shortages and urgent water infrastructure needs. Mr Kempton is also involved in discussions around border security and sovereign risk, looking for ways to increase local employment and involvement in regional solutions.

Last week Mr Kempton opened the new $13.3 million Mer Primary Health Care Centre—Meriam Lukup Meta—and new staff accommodation on Mer (Murray) Island.

The centre has already improved patient care with the latest health technology and allows for the future expansion of services, supporting the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s commitment to delivering care closer to home.

Improved staff accommodation helps attract and retain health professionals and supports the growing number of visiting specialists serving the community.

Mr Kempton continues to advocate for the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula, focusing on cost-ofliving issues—especially high freight costs. Discussions are underway with Sea Swift to reduce transport expenses and improve reliability.

The Thursday Island office has reopened with a new staff member. Mr Kempton remains committed to strengthening ties with communities across Queensland’s northernmost electorate.

Electoral Office:

Commonwealth Centre, Hastings Street, Thursday Island Q 4875

   

The Jardine River Ferry will be removed from the Jardine River for essential repairs to the ferry hull to ensure ongoing safe operations.

Closure Dates: Wednesday, 23 April to Friday, 23 May 2025.

Annual safety repairs to the Jardine Ferry are under compliance regulations set by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Council apologises for the inconvenience caused and thanks you for your patience during this essential repair period.

Tickets purchased for travel during closure period, remain valid when ferry is open.

For further information contact NPARC T: (07) 4090 4100 or (07) 4090 4120 W: www.nparc.qld.gov.au Rapper Dubbzone performing on stage

Shirley Waia and Alterviestar Tabuai.

Lew Rojahn ACTING CEO

12 NEWS

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Health issues must be addressed STORY BY CARLI WILLIS PIC SUPPLIED Along with rising sea levels, frustrations are rising as some Torres Strait leaders in the health sector feel they have had the same conversations for decades about health needs in Zenadth Kes. The region has been subject to several reports and investigations into health, which show Torres Strait Islanders are disadvantaged compared to the general population.

Torres Health is currently the only community-controlled health organisation based in the Torres Strait, established in 2018.

Mer Island man and Torres Health Director, Professor Sean Taylor, said governments needed to focus on the social determinants of health, such as housing, food security and preventative health – and a shift to community-controlled health services.

“Over the many years, [we’ve] constantly [spoken] about chronic disease and we’re seeing

Professor Sean Taylor. Pic supplied.

a significant increase in death,” he said.

“We know that diabetes is one of the biggest and major problems in the Torres Strait in the Northern Peninsula Area.

“The cost of flying patients for these unnecessary chronic disease-related issues can easily be prevented.”

Model of Care Professor Taylor worked under the Torres Model of Care early in his career, a model that the local Hospital and Health Service no longer used.

He said the model

needed to be revisited.

“It was addressing the high prevalence of chronic disease that was in the Torres Strait region,” he said.

He also urged governments to prioritise their commitments to transition health services over to community control.

In July last year, a state funding initiative driven by community leaders allocated $2.3 million per year to the establishment of a Cape and Torres Health commissioning body.

It was established to bring together the

Francis Nona. Pic thanks to Carumba Institute.

Have your say on the economic value of the Zenadth Kes Creative Arts Industry

interests of community, state and federal bodies, and commission health services in the region as per the community’s needs.

To date, there have been no public consultations, but a spokesperson for Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the body’s work was underway.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to supporting models of health service delivery that meet the local health needs of our diverse communities, including in the Torres and Cape,” the spokesperson said.

The body was funded until 2028, subject to meeting contractual milestones.

“We need to start to take action and have the funds to be able to move forward, because we can’t constantly repeat ourselves,” said Professor Taylor.

Poor health and climate change He said climate change was further

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reason to pay attention to climate change.

“It’s important that we take this seriously, as climate change is exacerbating our poor health,” he said.

“We need community-led health planning, environmental health monitoring and recognition that living on country itself supports well-being and resilience.

“Early intervention is key to controlling climatesensitive diseases.”

Mr Nona said many reports show that the region was best served by models and systems created for Torres Strait Islanders, by Torres Strait Islanders.

“I think this is the problem that policy struggles to grapple with; what is Western science, but also what is community-led and what is needed by us?” he said.

“We are seeing the effects of climate change and poor health outcomes, so why aren’t we being heard?”

Outback truckie stars

Short survey available online and at local Art Centres TSRA invites First Nations artists, businesses, and creative practitioners in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) to take part in a landmark survey to help measure the economic value of the region’s Creative Arts Industry. The information you share will identify how the TSRA can continue to ensure arts businesses - including sole traders and artisans - receive better funding, stronger support programs, and greater national and international opportunities.

impacting social determinants and called on governments to pay attention to the evidence.

“It’s starting to get hotter, and people are not [feeling] motivated,” he said.

“We may see a lot of the increase in mental health effects amongst community members, which may also impact motivation.

“We may see people with high blood sugars, which also impacts motivation.

“So, we need to start to look at ways on how to better manage and address a lot of issues, [and] I think the solution lies within the communities.”

Saibai Island man, with strong ties to Badu Island, and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Carumba Institute researcher Francis Nona, was also focused on the effects of climate change on health.

He said high rates of preventable deaths in the region should be a good

STORY ALF WILSON PICS SUBMITTED Bamaga will soon gain national and international recognition when local transport operator Jim Foody appears on the popular television series “Outback Truckers”.

The 67-year-old Jim owns Bamaga Transport and has three trucks – two Western Stars and an Isuzu, which regularly travel the 1000km trip from Cairns to the NPA. Last October and December, a crew of three from the television program travelled

with Jim on the long journey and soon several episodes would be broadcast featuring the local driver.

“They did a small episode on me last May and that has appeared, and they considered me marketable so they got back onto me,” he said.

“I enjoyed doing it because it will showcase Bamaga and this area.”

Sydney-born Jim, a qualified civil engineer, started Bamaga Transport in 2020.

He has expanded from a small truck-anddog operation to running triple road trains.

In addition to carrying a variety of

freight, machinery and even dangerous goods for big companies, Jim has a contract to haul gas bottles for BOC. Jim also carried cars and boat trailers from Cairns for locals living in Bamaga, Seisia, Umagico, New Mapoon and Injinoo.

“I have lost count of the number I have picked up at Cairns and delivered around these communities,” he said.

The roads were closed for the wet season after Jim did his last run in late January.

He said he expected the roads to be ready again in about a month.

NEWS 13

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

Aaron’s first childrens’ book goes back to his roots STORY BY VELMA GARA .

PICS SUPPLIED. Aaron Fa’Aoso’s newest book, written with Michelle Scott Tucker, is called Spirit of the Crocodile and is a children’s book set in today’s Torres Strait.

It tells the story of a boy and the importance of culture, community and place, and it is also about young Torres Strait children who live on the mainland having a connection to their homeland.

“I thought it would be a wonderful way of creating a fictional story but inspired by cultural frameworks,” Aaron said.

The idea of writing a children’s book came about while he was working on his first book and memoir, So Far, So Good, but Aaron put it on hold for a ‘later date’.

His awareness of the limited number of Torres Strait voices and authors had stirred him to write the book.

Aaron said it offered a window for a broader

audience, as well as the island kids who were raised on the mainland, an opportunity to connect.

Aaron said one of the things that really stuck with him was the books he read during primary school.

He recalled two books from his own childhood which had taken him to those imaginary places within the pages – they were Charlotte’s Web by EB White and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

“Because, I guess, it was a form of escapism when they were read to us by teachers,” he said.

“They were almost sacred because we had an hour where we were going to escape into these worlds.”

Aaron vividly remembered that same feeling of ‘escaping’ when family at Saibai would tell him stories.

He said he recalled his great-grandfathers sitting him down and yarning about the last battle with the great warrior, and when he went head-to-head with

the warriors from across the border.

“Allowing my imagination to run wild and vividly seeing these and imagining these warriors and having these great battles,” he said.

Aaron hoped a wider audience would get to imagine themselves in the Torres Strait – to see what sort of mischief 12-year-old Ezra and his best friend Mason get up to.

“I think for us, more importantly, many Torres Strait Islanders have left now because of employment opportunities on the mainland,” he said.

“But through books and literature is an opportunity to reconnect.”

“So I think for me, whatever I’ve created, film, television in this space, in literature, it’s to pay homage, and that’s the depth of the story.

“But secondly, it’s for those of us who don’t reside in the homeland on a full-time basis to be able to have access, and that’s really important.”

Spirit of the

Crocodile is a fictional story about Ezra and his friend Mason, and their adventures, which also has a coming-of-age thread through it.

“But he just happens to live in this very beautiful part of the world, surrounded by lots of love and lots of community,” Aaron said.

“And also it’s giving non Indigenous community an opportunity to actually see themselves in the Torres Strait.”

Aaron said there were talks of future literature projects in the kids’ space, which he was excited about.

He also shared some news of feature film projects in the pipeline for the end of 2026 and into early 2027, as well as about his television series, Strait to the Plate.

“I’m really excited about the coming months because we’re in the midst of financing the third season of Strait to the Plate, and working with co-host Christine Anu,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to that.”

Flu vax ready to protect families With the cooler months fast approaching, now is the best time for Queenslanders to protect themselves against common winter respiratory illnesses.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll has issued a warning to say flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19 cases are likely to rise as temperatures drop – but a trip to hospital can be avoided through vaccination.

Dr Carroll said vaccines for flu, RSV and COVID-19 were safe, effective and prevent serious illness.

“Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 are already circulating in Queensland and case numbers will continue to climb as we head into winter, so now is the perfect time for Queenslanders to get themselves and their loved ones vaccinated,” Dr Carroll said.

“Already this year

we’ve recorded more than 13,600 cases of influenza - that’s 35 per cent higher than the same period last year, and we’re still a few months away from the peak of flu season.”

Dr Carroll said more than 264,000 Queenslanders had been vaccinated already against the flu this year, and it was essential more people received the jab.

“While some might say it’s just the flu, the reality is that people die from flu every year and we don’t want to see a repeat of last year when nearly 200 people died – many of whom were unvaccinated,” she said.

“While most deaths occurred in people aged over 65, there were also 39 people aged between 30 and 65 in Queensland who died from the flu last year.

“Children under five and adults over 65 are among those most vulnerable to severe flurelated complications.”

Dr Carroll said it was

essential people were vaccinated against the flu this year, even if they received the vaccine in 2024, and they remained up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Flu strains constantly evolve, and people’s immunity reduces over time, so they need to be vaccinated every year to be protected against current circulating strains,” she said. “Flu vaccination is free and easily accessible.

“Taking 15 minutes out of the day to get vaccinated against the flu could prevent people from spending days or weeks at home sick, or worse, in a hospital bed.

“COVID-19 also is not going away, and we continue to see people being hospitalised with the virus who are not up to date with their vaccinations.

Dr Carroll said it was important pregnant women and eligible infants and children were vaccinated against

Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker

XTREMECARE AUSTRALIA ‘THE FNQ’S LEADING NDIS PROVIDER’ Xtremecare Australia offers NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management services in the Torres Straits (including Outer Islands) and NPA communities.

Do you live in the NPA or Torres Strait Region and want Xtremecare to be your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager?

Visit our Thursday Island office or phone us on 07 5514 6500.

07 5514 6500

XTREMECARE THURSDAY ISLAND OFFICE 53 Douglas Street, www.xtremecareaustralia.com.au THURSDAY ISLAND QLD 4875

­ Dr Heidi Carroll Pic supplied.

RSV to protect the youngest Queenslanders from potentially lifethreatening complications.

“RSV remains the most common cause of hospitalisation among infants and young children,” she said.

“In 2024, Queensland recorded 11,300 RSV cases among children under two, with more than 2,200 little ones hospitalised due to the virus.

“This year to date, we have already recorded more than 2,000 RSV cases and 300 hospitalisations among children under two.”

LOCAL FARE SUBSIDY SCHEME LFS Fare Class (one way) • Conditions Apply

• See our website for Torres Strait Schedule www.hinterlandaviation.com.au

For LFS bookings J E H LFS@flyhav.com J P H 1300 FLY HAV

14 NEWS

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

TN0461 • 24-04-25

In April 2020: “The most proudest and happiest day of my life, when I received my Law Degree from Griffith University Chancellor,” Isaiah said. Pics supplied.

Isaiah proud to make history after long journey into legal profession

BY FLORA WARRIA

BOOK ONLINE: WWW.REBELTOURS.COM.AU

THURSDAY ISLAND/HORN ISLAND FERRY TIMETABLE (28/10/2024) Thursday Island/Horn Island Ferry Timetable - Public Holiday

WATER TAXIS AND CHARTERS AVAILABLE. CONNECTIONS WITH ALL QANTAS, Skytrans AND CHARTER FLIGHTS

From

Thursday 25/04/2025 ANZAC Day

TI

06:15

HIW

06:25

TI

08:00

HIW

08:15

TI

09:00 QF

HIW

09:15

TI

10:30

HIW

10:45 QF

HIW

11:45

TI

12:00

TI

13:45 QF

HIW

14.00

TI

15.15 QF

HIW

15.30 QF

TI

17:00

HIW

17.15 QF Thank you for choosing to travel with us!

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

Please note subject to change WITHOUT NOTICE, bookings are highly recommended!

P J 07 4069 1586 • Ftimes J 07are 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.

Boigu Island’s first lawyer, proud Koedal (crocodile) man Isaiah Banu, was officially admitted into the legal profession at the end of last year when he was presented with a certificate to enable him to practice law in any Australian jurisdiction.

“It was a monumental moment I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said.

“When the President of the Court of Appeal in Queensland, the Honourable Debra Mullins AO, gave her speech at the end of the admission ceremony, Her Honour urged us to give thought to what it means to be a professional throughout our careers in law.”

For Isaiah, being a professional meant more than just adhering to a set of rules or standards.

“It’s about embodying a set of core values in every aspect of my life, including in my career,” he said.

“It involves having a deep respect for the people I will interact with, whether they are clients, colleagues or opponents.

“It’s about recognising our field of work that is ever evolving and there is always room to grow.

“It is also about balancing confidence with humility – being confident in my skills and knowledge while also remaining open to feedback and being willing to acknowledge my limitations and working on them to improve.”

Since graduating with a law degree in 2019, Isaiah continued his studies in the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, which he completed in 2024.

During that time, he had the opportunity to participate in a mock trial in the Federal Court in Brisbane in front of some of Australia’s top judicial minds.

He was mentored

by Barristers Joshua Creamer and Dr Heron Loban, both of whom attended the mock trial.

He was also at the World Indigenous Law Conference in Canada in 2018, where he had the opportunity to lecture alongside Dr Loban.

He said he was excited to be admitted.

“I am the first Boigu Island man to be admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a qualified Australian lawyer,” he said.

Isaiah said he saw his journey into law as a personal achievement and a demonstration to his community that Indigenous people can succeed in all areas across society.

“Anything is achievable if you want it bad enough, you just have a little faith in yourself and don’t stop believing and never give up on your dreams for they are possible to attain,” he said.

He said he hoped achieving his longterm personal and professional goals would set a precedent for his family, his community and future generations.

He also attributed much of his success to his late father, Masepah Banu, an Anglican priest for more than 30 years in the Torres Strait and on mainland Australia, and his mother, Maryper Levi Banu from St Paul’s (Moa Island).

Both were a strong influence in his life.

“My mum and my dad instilled a strong sense of culture and community in me,” he said.

NEWS & CLASSIFIEDS 15

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is a Commonwealth statutory body dedicated to delivering programs across the Torres Strait region.

Our vision is Yumi pasin – yumi Ailan Kastom. Strong in culture, unified partnerships to achieve a sustainable future..

Project Support Officer APS4 SALARY RANGE $75,022 - $81,775 LOCATION – THURSDAY ISLAND NON – ONGOING / ONGOING OPPORTUNITY Affirmative Measures (role open to Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal people only) Plus 15.4% superannuation, district allowance, housing subsidy, and leave fare allowance (payable after 12 months’ service).

IF WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT YOU ENJOY, PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM! The TSRA Sea Team, Environmental Management Program is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated worker.

This exciting role will provide administration support to the Sea Team and supporting the Sea team activities, workshop and operations. The Project Support Officer will work closely with the Project Manager and rangers to coordinate logistical requirements and operations for regional work.

This position is based on Thursday Island but may need to travel across the Torres Strait Region and Northern Peninsula Area.

Applications close at 11:30pm AEST, Thursday 1 May 2025.

To Apply: • View this vacancy and apply online at www.tsra.gov.au/jobs • If you do not have access to the internet please contact the HR Team on (07) 4069 0700.

For more information please contact Daniel Beard on 07 4069 0700.

Isaiah Banu and Barrister Tom Keely (Senior Counsel and Mentor)

“They taught me about the importance of education from a young age, sending me to Townsville Grammar School, where I continued my education and worked hard to obtain a pathway to university,” Isaiah said.

“I was drawn to the idea of dissecting complex problems and finding solutions within structured frameworks.

“Law provides a platform where analytical thinking and debate can directly impact real-world outcomes.

“This career allows me to channel my passion for problemsolving and empathy into something profoundly meaningful.

“It’s about engaging with diverse perspectives, advocating for justice and fairness, and constantly evolving both as a professional and as a person.”

He said he had always had a thirst for learning.

“I remember being a young child sitting with the Elders of Boigu Island talking to them about life,” he said.

“It was the Elders who first planted the seed that anything is possible.

“I listened to their life

experiences and their advice, and I listened to their stories, which have always stayed with me throughout my life.

“I am thankful to my parents and my community Elders as they have all played a part in moulding me into the man I am today.”

Isaiah said he also wanted to thank colleague Tom Keely SC, a barrister from the Victorian Bar in Melbourne, who moved his admission.

Isaiah said he had a lot of respect for Mr Keely, who represented everything Isaiah aspired to become as a practising lawyer.

“Mr Keely has consistently supported and mentored me from day one, offering guidance and constant encouragement every step of the way,” Isaiah said.

“From our very first interaction in my interview for the Indigenous clerkship in Melbourne, Mr Keely has been a constant source of inspiration, showing me what it truly means to be a dedicated and compassionate lawyer.

“I value his friendship and his guidance, as he has not only deepened my legal knowledge but also reinforced my

commitment to the values and principles that matter most in this profession.

“He has taught me to strive for excellence and to serve my clients with passion and integrity.”

Isaiah said he also wanted to acknowledge and thank all those who had supported him over time to achieve his milestone.

“To those who have helped me at the Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University and Deakin University, thank you for your guidance and your supportive learning environments,” he said.

“I also acknowledge and appreciate the Law Society of Queensland and the Board of Examiners for helping me to navigate the admission process and the justices of the Supreme Court for approving my application for admission.

“I understand the privilege of being an officer of the Court and look forward to making a valuable contribution to the legal profession.

“My journey has been a lonely one at times, and sometimes the road was quite rugged.

“It was sometimes difficult for others

to understand, but perseverance prevailed.

“The years of studying have seen me through a lot of highs and an equal number of lows.

“But I don’t regret any one of them because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today, mentally, spiritually, emotionally or physically.

“For other Indigenous peoples interested in studying law or pursuing a career in the justice system, I encourage you to take up opportunities outside the box.

“Find places within the community and places that may not always be traditional places for lawyers, but where Indigenous people can make a difference from the inside out.

“It is important for more Indigenous people to join the legal profession, as it is crucial for our people to have representatives in the profession who understand issues from a community perspective and who can be game changers that make a difference inside and outside of their communities.

“Keep your eyes on your goals and never give up, and you can achieve your dreams.”

Merit Pool established through this selection process may be used to fill future, similar ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies. Merit pools are valid for up to 18 months from the advertised vacancy date.

The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is a Commonwealth statutory body dedicated to delivering programs across the Torres Strait region.

Our vision is Yumi pasin – yumi Ailan Kastom. Strong in culture, unified partnerships to achieve a sustainable future..

Project Officer, Island Invasives APS6 SALARY RANGE $94,563 - $105,910 LOCATION – THURSDAY ISLAND OR CAIRNS NON-ONGOING OPPORTUNITY Plus 15.4% superannuation, district allowance, housing subsidy, and leave fare allowance (payable after 12 months’ service).

IF WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT YOU ENJOY, PLEASE JOIN OUR TEAM! The TSRA Land Team, Environmental Management Program is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated worker.

This exciting role will be focussed on the Land team’s Invasive Species projects.

The Project Officer will require to work closely with Traditional Owners, Rangers, researchers and other stakeholders to deliver island-scale pest eradication projects.

This role is Identified which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You are required to build and maintain strong relationships with Traditional Owners to deliver invasive species management and/or eradication initiatives in partnership with TSRA. This position is based on Thursday Island but may need to travel across the region and Northern Peninsula Area.

Applications close at 11:30pm AEST, Thursday 1 May 2025.

To Apply: • View this vacancy and apply online at www.tsra.gov.au/jobs • If you do not have access to the internet please contact the HR Team on (07) 4069 0700.

For more information, please contact Simon Tedder on 07 4069 0700.

Merit Pool established through this selection process may be used to fill future, similar ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies. Merit pools are valid for up to 18 months from the advertised vacancy date.

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TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

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SPORT 17

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

AFL a happy holiday hit!

Badu

The school holidays are over, and the AFL action has not stopped in the Torres Strait, as holiday programs kicked off on Warraber, Badu & Horn Islands. In the first week, more than 65 young people joined our Badu Holiday Clinic on the community Oval before we teamed up with Torres Health & Queensland Police for an afternoon of footy fun at Horn Island Stadium.

Warraber

Warraber

Badu

Horn Island

Horn Island

Horn Island

Badu

18 SPORT

THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025 TORRES NEWS

Fly high try by Seb

Ty takes on Cowboys NRLW leadership/mentor role

BY ALF WILSON

Seb, after scoring a try as teammates celebrate. Pic Canberra Raiders.

BY ALF WILSON High-flying centre Seb Kris scored a spectacular try which sparked the Canberra Raiders to a 30-20 win over the Gold Coast Titans at C-Bus Stadium on Saturday.

Scores were locked at 16-all at halftime and four minutes after the break, athletic Seb jumped above a Titans’ back to grab a Raiders kick and score his sixth try of the season.

The Raiders then led 22-16 after the Titans had bolted to an earlier 16-nil advantage.

Commentators praised Mabuiag Islander Seb, declaring he was in the “best form of his career”.

Winger Xavier Savage looked likely to have crossed for a four-pointer last in the game, but the referee ruled a knock-on had occurred, which the bunker ratified.

The Raiders have moved to third on the ladder and meet the Dolphins in round eight at Canberra.

Titans’ blockbusting second rower David Fifita missed the game due to a minor hamstring strain.

The Titans travel to Townsville to meet the Cowboys next Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Gehamat stars Centre Gehamat Shibasaki was one of the Brisbane Broncos’

best in their heartbreaking golden point 20-18 loss to the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.

Scores had been deadlocked at 18-all when the siren sounded for normal time and a 50m penalty goal in extra time sealed the Warriors’ win.

That came after a Reece Walsh kick-off, which went too long, resulting in the Warriors getting a shot at goal from halfway.

Once again, Gehamat shone for the Broncos and made one brilliant line break, and he tackled well.

In his 37th NRL match and his seventh this season for the Broncos, Gehamat has proven to be one of the most consistent centres in the 17-club competition.

Hammer’s Good Friday Good Friday proved to be just that for the Dolphins when they scored an upset 42-22 win over premiership favourites the Melbourne Storm at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Seven second-half Dolphins tries paved the way for the handsome victory, after the Storm had led 18-12 at the break.

Earlier on, the Storm had charged to a 16-2 and looked set to register another percentageboosting victory.

But the never-say-die attitude of the Kristian Wolff-coached Dolphins came to the fore.

Champion fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, known as the Hammer, didn’t score a try this week but set up a spectacular

to helping grow women’s rugby league in North Queensland,” he said. “As well as helping Rick with the NRLW team, this role is about ensuring the women within our footprint have the best opportunity to fulfil their potential as well as creating a clear pathway from grassroots rugby league through to the NRLW.” He said the future of the female game was exciting.

“I was fortunate to work in the male game as a coach for a long period, but when the opportunity came up to work with the Cowboys in the women’s space, it was something I jumped at because I’m passionate about this area and this club,” Ty said.

Cowboys Head of NRLW and Women’s Elite Pathways Anita Creenaune said the club was delighted to welcome Ty back to the club.

“As an ex-Cowboys player from North Queensland, he has been through the development pathways in our organisation,” she said.

“Having someone who has experienced the same journey helping to form our women’s pathways is going to be an enormous asset to our club.

Ty Williams with players including Samara Luta, third from left, Essay Banu to right of him and Jairel Martin-Savage third from right. Pic Cowboys.

Assariah impressive in start for Blackhawks

BY ALF WILSON

Assariah Lenoy-Sam). Pic Blackhawks.

four-pointer.

Hammer jumped high to catch a bomb kick and then fired out a flick pass to forward Ray Stone to cross at the 59th minute.

The Storm defenders tried valiantly to restrict the Hammer, who, towards the end of the match, had an on-field verbal “disagreement” with Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster.

“We are both competitive, and what happens on the field stays on the field,” Munster said.

Hammer and Munster were teammates for the Australian Kangaroos against Samoa in Townsville.

Shark attack on Knights The Cronulla Sharks rolled a Newcastle Knights side which included veteran centre Dane Gagai 34-14 on Easter Sunday.

Dane was solid in defence and attack in the game at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

Other games The Sydney Bulldogs remain the only undefeated side in the 17-club comp after thrashing the South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-nil in the first of Good Friday’s double header.

St George Dragons defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 20-18 on Thursday night.

The premiers Penrith Panthers returned to form with a 40-12 win over the Roosters.

In the other match of the long weekend, Parramatta Eels 38 d West Tigers 22 on Monday afternoon.

The appointment of former star Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin winger Ty Williams as NRLW Senior Assistant and Development Coach of Women’s Elite Pathways is a major boost for the club’s rising players.

Ty, who was Cowboys NRL player number 140, has already started work at the Cowboys and will mentor the region’s next generation of female rugby league players.

Originally from Innisfail, Ty was one of the greatest try scorers in Cowboys history during his 151 games across nine seasons, scoring 85 tries, a figure which ranks third in club history behind Kyle Feldt and Matt Bowen.

He was set to drive the Cowboys’ strategic plan for women’s pathway development in North Queensland, which included coach education and player development, to build a sustainable talent pool that would form the main recruitment area to feed into the Cowboys’ NRLW program.

Ty was also set to work with the NRLW

team as head coach Ricky Henry’s senior assistant.

The Cowboys NRLW side included regulars Tallisha Harden, Tahlulah Tillett, Essay Banu, Sareka Mooka and Jasmine Peters.

Jairel Martin-Savage and Samara Luta were two other quality players who looked set to line up for the NRLW Cowboys.

There are many rising stars in the Queensland Statewide women’s comp as well as Hervey’s Norman under-17 and -19 comps.

Ty has a great affinity with the Torres Strait and was a very popular special guest at the 2011 Island of Origin on Badu.

At the time, Ty, another Cowboys player Rod Jensen, rugby league immortal Artie Beetson and champion ex-Broncos forward Sam Backo were cheered as they drove around the Badu Oval in the back of a ute.

Ty has worked extensively in coaching post his playing career, including a successful stint as head coach of the Northern Pride’s Queensland Cup side.

“I am passionate about this club and women’s rugby league and am looking forward

Rising young rugby league star Assariah Lenoy-Sam, who has Darnley and Palm Island family connections, has a bright future in the sport.

Assariah was in his second year of a Cowboys Young Guns scholarship and played a pre-season trial with the NQ Cowboys team in Cairns in February.

Aged just 20, Assariah looks well on the way to achieving that aim of making the full-time squad

after starring this season for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup competition.

Lining up at centres in just his second Q-Cup match, he was named man of the match for the Blackhawks when they beat the CQ Capras 20-18 in Townsville on 5 April.

A week before in his Blackhawks debut, Assariah played the full 80 minutes when the side rolled Cairns Northern Pride, 28-14.

His proud mother Renee Grinfelds said she was very

proud of Assariah.

“I always talk to him and many people on Palm follow him as well,” Renee said.

As a youngster, Assariah travelled a lot with Renee, a single mum and a member of the Army.

“He went to school in Brisbane and Darwin and also at Southern Cross College in Townsville,” Renee said.

“His high school years were at Columba College in Charters Towers.”

Whilst there Assariah played A-grade for the

Charters Towers Miners in the Townsville and District competition.

Assariah captained Columba Catholic College to NQISSRL and Confraternity Cup Division II glory and also represented the North Queensland Schoolboys.

Last year he played Mal Meninga Cup Colts matches for the Cairns-based Northern Pride before joining the Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks coach was former Canberra Raiders champion Terry

Campese, who has taken Assariah under his wing.

Another big Assariah fan was Blackhawks teammate, hooker Jayden Hodges, who has played NRL games for Manly and the Cowboys.

“I was impressed with Assariah against the Capras and he was solid defensively when he marked a good opponent who has been a PNG representative and showed good speed,” Jayden said.

Assariah has also formed strong bonds with Blackhawks winger Dudley Dotoi.

SPORT 19

TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

New phone app rates sporting potential The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and the Queensland Government have launched a worldleading AI-powered app to help discover the state’s next sporting champions.

The YouFor2032 App, supported by a partnership with RACQ, uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to assess the abilities of Queensland’s aspiring athletes from the

comfort of their own homes.

The app is the first known talent-search technology in the world to include Para sports, ensuring athletes of all abilities have the chance to be discovered.

Young Queenslanders aged 13 to 23 years for Olympic sports and 13 to 30 years for Para sports can complete virtual tests through the app.

Results are reviewed by the QAS YouFor2032 Talent Team.

VELMA

GARA’S

Athletes who show strong potential will be invited to take part in face-to-face YouFor2032 testing sessions and may then have the opportunity to be put on a pathway to elite sport.

The QAS has so far tested young athletes across 40 locations including 26 regional centres from Warwick to Emerald, and the Gold Coast to Yarrabah.

More than 2000 athletes have been identified and progressed into the three-month trial

phase, with 422 invited to a 12-month targeted development program and 40 selected for high-performance state or national programs.

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the app was a gamechanger for young Queenslanders with big dreams.

“We want Brisbane 2032 to be our most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games ever, and that begins

with identifying and supporting the next generation of talent,” Minister Mander said.

“This world-leading app removes geographic barriers, giving every young Queenslander, no matter where they live, the chance to be discovered.

“It’s also a terrific resource for the QAS Para Sport Unit, which launched earlier this year, to start finding athletes with a disability who have flown under the radar until now.”

RACQ Managing Director and Group

Logan Thunder U16 State Champs. Pics Basketball Queensland.

velma@torres.news

Regular Season tip-off All the best to players of the Kittyhawk Basketball Association as their local season started this week.

There are about 15 rounds of games for the regular season in the Cape with playoffs in September.

Preseasons at various regions are complete, and it’s time for the main seasons to start.

Hopefully, this column in the future can give some updates on teams and clubs, as well as profiles on players – those of us who love the game.

New date for AGM Wongai Basketball Association had rescheduled their Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday, 26 April at 6pm at the TSY&RSA office.

End of U18 Nationals Queensland teams did well at the event, with them all finishing in the top eight – North Women (5th), South Men (6th), North Men (7th) and South Women (8th).

Victoria has always been strong at junior championships and this year was no different as they are the Champions in both Women’s and Men’s grand finals,

played against South Australia Metro and New South Wales Metro respectively.

Quarterfinals results – all Queensland teams made it to the top eight in both women’s and men’s competitions, yet couldn’t produce the goods to win their games and play in the semi-finals.

All teams played in classification finals for positions at the championships in fifth to eighth places.

In recent editions, I missed another First Nations player within the Queensland team – Macey Lahrs, who played with the North Women’s team So, this sunshine state did well to have a large number of First Nations basketballers in its four teams.

From my research on a couple of other states’ rosters, there were also First Nations players Nate Langmaid at Victoria Metro and Zemes Pilot Holmes with South Australia Metro.

Leaders of stats Now that the U18 Nationals have closed, it was time to check the stats and great to see some players were selected in the Teams of the Tournament: • Taryn Bond and Mya Moke were

sporting pathways.”

Further details on the YouFor2032 program can be found at https:// www.qasport.qld.gov.au/ youfor2032.

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Chief Executive Officer David Carter said RACQ was proud to support the YouFor2032 initiative.

“Queensland is one of the country’s most decentralised states and the YouFor2032 Talent Search ensures all aspiring athletes, regardless of where they live, have the opportunity to showcase their sporting abilities,” he said.

“RACQ is proud to be working with the QAS to support a program which will help enrich the lives of young Queenslanders through inclusive and accessible

 EMAIL: editor@torres.news included in the First Team.

• Isabel Smith – Third Team • Cheyenne Bobongie – Fifth Team Taryn and Isabel were in the top five for points; Mya led in the assists with Cheyenne also in the top five; Taryn led in the steals and Mya was third in 3-points made (17).

These players had outstanding performances at an elite level of competition.

U16 State Champs Logan Thunder got the double when they won both the boys’ and girls’ grand finals.

It would have been a busy school holidays for the Sebasio family when Jema played in the Queensland South U18 team and then a week later, younger sister Jay played for Logan at the U16 carnival.

Congratulations to Jay for being a state champion with her team.

Another Cedar in town Townsville has signed Chris Cedar, younger brother of Michael, to play with Heat for the 2025 NBL1 North season (as reported by Alf Wilson for Torres News).

Michael has moved away to southeast Queensland, and an opportunity emerged to have another guard take his place and a top-quality one too.

It’s been a while since Chris has played for Townsville, and his experience would be very valuable not only as a player but as a mentor to the younger teammates.

Personally, I’m happy for Chris to be back in town to not only play but also do some work off the basketball court.

The Cedar Brothers

and I are part of the Cedar Gara Foundation, which offers financial assistance to local Townsville First Nations young people aged 8-18 years old who love the game of basketball.

Assistance for registration fees to play in local competition or scholarship contribution towards representative level at the state or national level.

The Foundation started in 2021, and there have been many junior players and their families who have accessed some funds.

We’re looking forward to the First Nations Round in the NBL1 North season in July, when new uniforms are designed by First Nations artists and auctioned off.

Those funds will support the Foundation in supporting our young people who enjoy playing basketball.

Queensland North U18 Women’s Team and Coaching Staff

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THURSDAY 24 APRIL 2025

Reuben goes pro Inset: Leah Reuben next to the Torres Strait flag. Pic Michael Healy + Main pic by Stephen Deller

BY ALF WILSON After a successful amateur boxing career, Leah Reuben, who has Badu Island family connections, fought her second professional bout in Brisbane earlier this month, at a tournament dubbed “Indigenous Rounds in the Ring”.

At 58.9 kilograms, 24-year-old Leah lost to a heavier opponent, Mariah Turner, for the Australian

Super Featherweight Title but fought strongly for eight rounds before losing on points.

“It was a tough fight, but I gave away weight and was happy with my performance,” Leah told Torres News the next day.

It was her second pro bout after she travelled to Hobart in March, where she lost her debut contest, also on points.

“I had more than 30 amateur bouts before turning pro and won more

than half of them,” she said.

“It was very cold down in Tasmania for a north Queensland girl.”

Stephen Deller from the Fortitude Boxing Gym said he was delighted Leah had fought a great fight, taking it to Mariah all the way.

“We now have Leah training alongside Mariah Turner at Fortitude Gym,” he said.

“First Nations Sports

Academy directors Justin Hodges and myself are proud to say that Leah has now joined our team, and we look forward to helping Leah achieve her goals not only in boxing but also in life.”

Townsville-born Leah was training at Edmonton for the ‘Do It Boxing’ gym, where club President Zap de Jong described her as a talent who was going places in the world of female boxing.

“Leah has been with

the club since she was aged 14, she has turned her life around and will win plenty of bouts,” Zap said.

As a young teenager, Leah spent time at Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

“I got in a lot of trouble and it wasn’t working out for me in Townsville, so my mum moved me to Cairns,” she said.

It was a positive move and, as an 18-year-old, Leah won

TN0529 10x7 – 7/3/24

the Australian under-19 women’s bantamweight (54kg) title with a dominant unanimous points decision over South Australian Cooper Racic-Mills.

In 2019, Leah won gold medals at the State and National Boxing Titles.

Leah was also a genuine role model for younger boxers in her gym and she has become a youth worker.

Quietly spoken outside

of the ring, Leah has connections to Badu, where her grandfather was born, and also on Palm Island.

“There are many Reuben family members living around the Torres Strait and in Cairns and Townsville,” she said.

“My Palm Island connection is with the Blanket family.”

Leah said she was looking forward to more pro bouts in the not-toodistant future.

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