With Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson, John Toshie Kris.

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal, on whose land I am writing from and all other traditional owners and elders throughout our region.

TSRA 2006-2007 Budget Announced

You maybe aware that the Torres Strait Regional Authority’s (TSRA) Board recently announced its budget for the 2006-2007 financial year. A total of $56,832,500 will fund initiatives through the TSRA’s six output areas.

These include, the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP), Fisheries, Dengue Prevention and Eradication, Arts and Culture, Economic Development, Heavy Equipment Management Training Program (HEMPT), and Airstrip and Marine upgrades.

With a whole of government approach, including direct input and participation from our communities, the TSRA aims to work together in partnership, to achieve positive outcomes for our people.

May I take this opportunity to thank the TSRA Board who contributed towards producing this budget, and I look forward to working with our community members and other Government agencies in this new financial year.

CRC Torres Strait Closing

I wish to inform you that after three years of intense research in the region, the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Torres Strait Program has ceased operations in the region.

CRC Torres Strait has been instrumental in conducting and coordinating various studies of our marine ecosystems and environment, like the monitoring our tropical rock lobster fishery and the Masig Sea Sponge project.

Most of our communities were involved in the $20.2 million Program, with researchers visiting and community members taking part in the many research projects.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the agencies who supported this valuable Program with the TSRA – Australian Fisheries management Authority (AFMA), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), CRC Reef Research Centre (CRC Reef), CSIRO Marine Research, Geoscience Australia (GA), James Cook University (JCU), National Oceans Office (NOO) and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F).

In particular, I would also like to acknowledge and esso the communities who welcomed CRC Torres Strait and assisted research officers in their communities, without your contribution this Program would not have been possible. I invite communities to access and use the information from the Program to assist in sustainably managing the region’s marine environment.

Information about the 3 year Program is available with a booklet called “CRC Torres Strait 2003-2006 Highlights,” recently published and currently being distributed to communities by the CRC Torres Strait Liaison Officer Mr Toshi Nakata. Should you wish to obtain a copy of the Booklet or access information about the various research projects conducted during the life of the Program, please contact Mr Nakata at the TSRA on 07 4069 0700, free call 1800 079 093 or visit www.crctorres.com.

Kubin Arts Centre

On the 28 of June I was pleased to be part of the opening ceremony of the Mualagal Mineral Artists Collective (MMAC) Art Centre at Kubin Community, which was jointly funded by the TSRA and the Queensland Department of State Development and Innovation.

I would like to thank the Council of Kubin and the MMAC for inviting the TSRA to be present at this significant event in their community.

The Torres Strait has now gained national and international recognition with our art in demand, and this Centre will ensure that our unique art and culture is not only promoted and shared with the world, but also preserved and maintained for our future generations to learn from and practice.

Any feedback for my column can be sent to:

Mr. John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson
PO Box 261
Thursday Island QLD 4875

Alternatively, feedback can be sent to me through the TSRA website via the media contact in the ‘contact us’ segment of the site.  Until my next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe.

John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson