17 July

TSRA News Column
17 – 24 July 2007

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.

Turtle Tagging Training Delivered

From 25 to 29 June, the Torres Strait Regional Authority’s (TSRA) Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) in partnership with scientists from James Cook University (JCU), delivered a turtle tagging workshop in the waters surrounding Hammond, Horn and Prince of Wales Islands.

The aim of the training was to equip community rangers and project officers with the skills to undertake community-based turtle monitoring, which meet national reporting requirements and standards.

A total of 15 participants, including Kaiwalagal and Hammond Island community rangers, plus Turtle and Dugong Project officers from across the region attended the training session.

Throughout the four days of training, 30 Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles were caught. Training participants learned how to tag, measure and use a laparoscope to determine the sex of the turtles. The information collected along with the location of its capture, was then recorded in accordance with national guidelines. After studying each turtle, they were released unharmed, back to the sea.

Initial results from this particular research activity, have revealed that the majority of the turtles involved were approximately 15 years old and recently recruited to the reef foraging areas. Reef scientists believe that such turtles have returned to the reef after a 15 year journey from the place where they were born out to the open ocean currents.

From past research, it is estimated that about 90 percent of Torres Strait’s foraging population of Green turtles hatch from the islands, coral cays and coast line of the northern Great Barrier Reef from Raine Island to Bramble Cay.

To build community research capacity and to further improve our understanding of the lifecycle and movements of the region’s turtles, another workshop is being planned for later in the year to examine the research and monitoring of nesting turtles and hatchling success.  This will be another opportunity for our community rangers and project officers to learn new skills to better monitor the health of their individual community’s turtle population.

Feedback from on the outcomes of this recent training workshop is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to participating communities for consideration.

If you would like to find out more about turtle research and training, you can contact the TSRA LSMU’s Turtle and Dugong Project Facilitator, Mr Lachlan Sutherland, by telephone (07) 4069 2957, fax (07) 4069 2967 or email info@tsra.gov.au. You can also write to PO Box 261, Thursday Island, Queensland 4875 and if you are on Thursday Island, you can also visit the LSMU office, located on the corner of Victoria Parade and Blackall Street, adjacent to the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.

Australian Defence Medals Awarded to Community Members

Five members of the Army’s Charlie Company were recently presented with an Australian Defence Medal (ADM) for completing four years of service in the Defence Force.

The Medal recognises the valuable contribution of regular and reserve Australian Defence Force Personnel and on this occasion the following members were acknowledged for their dedication:

- Lieutenant Jason Pascoe;

- Sergeant Rick Freer;

- Corporal Arthur Ketchell;

- Lance Corporal Adam Harvey; and

- Private Guyai Newie.

Being a member of the Defence Force involves hard work and a high level of commitment. Members spend a large amount of time in training, conducting surveillance operations as well as strengthening the Army’s relationship with our communities.

I would like to congratulate these five members for their achievement and I commend the Charlie Company, for their commitment toward keeping Australia’s shores safe.

Become a Member of Gab Titui

Since opening in April 2004 our cultural safekeeping place, the Gab Titui Cultural Centre has earned a reputation as an outstanding cultural and tourism entity. It has been recognised for providing an excellent and authentic service, winning a number of awards, including the 2005 and 2006 Queensland Indigenous Tourism Award.

The Centre has also become a must see attraction for the region and has been the feature of various television shows and documentaries.

With more new and exciting exhibitions and events planned for the year, I would like to invite you to consider becoming a member of Gab Titui and to take part in this exciting stage of the Centre’s growth.

There are currently two membership options that you can take advantage of, Annual Membership and the Wongai Return Pass.

Gab Titui Annual Membership costs $25 a single or $45 for a family. Annual Membership gives you unlimited entry, discounts to the Gift Shop and Cafe, regular updates and special invitation only passes to Gab Titui events and functions.

The Wongai Return Pass costs only $6, and for this option, you will be entitled to unlimited entry to Gab Titui to view local and visiting exhibitions.

For this month only, the Centre is running a special offer where you can obtain two Annual Memberships for the price of one. To obtain more information about becoming a member of Gab Titui and to take advantage of the special offer, phone the Centre’s friendly staff on (07) 4090 2130.

Any feedback for on this column can be sent to:

 Mr. John T. Kris

TSRA Chairperson

PO Box 261

Thursday Island QLD 4875

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

John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson