22 May

TSRA News Column
22 - 29 May 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.

Mabo Day

The 15^th anniversary of the historic Mabo Case will be marked next Sunday, 3 June. This is an occasion for Indigenous people across Australia and the Torres Strait to commemorate the first successful Native Title case, won by the Meriam people and led by the late Mr Eddie Mabo.

As a result of this case, the High Court of Australia produced a landmark judgement in 1992, which transformed Australian Common Law and legally acknowledged that the Late Mr Mabo and his fellow claimants were “entitled as against the whole world, to possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the lands in the Murray Islands.”

It was formal recognition that Indigenous people had rights to land, even before colonisation, and that those rights were still in existence today, overturning the notion that Australia was “terra nullius” when Captain Cook first arrived. The decision reaffirmed Mr Mabo’s claim that the Meriam people had occupied the islands of Mer, well before British arrival.

Since this pioneering outcome, Indigenous land rights have progressed across Australia. In the Torres Strait, 26 traditional land owner groups have followed the same path and received Native Title recognition over inhabited and uninhabited islands. Nineteen of which were achieved with assistance from the TSRA’s Native Title Office.

Receiving Native Title has empowered our traditional owners to take part in negotiations which affect our region’s natural assets, as well as on matters that improve infrastructure and service delivery in our communities. It has also assisted our people to maintain their strong cultural bonds with the land and sea.

This Mabo Day, I encourage you to take part in community celebrations and remember the outstanding achievement reached in 1992 by the people of Mer.  Through their persistence and determination, they achieved the unprecedented and changed an important piece in Australia’s history.

Local Government Changes

As you may be aware, the Queensland Government has recently made an announcement to amalgamate Councils across the State.

In the Torres Strait, a single regional council has been planned. The Queensland Government’s proposal is to merge the existing 17 Island Councils into a Torres Strait Islander Regional Council, replacing individual Island Councils with Community Boards.

The State Government has stated that this reform is needed ensure the financially viability, accountability and transparency of local governments throughout Queensland.

A number of our Councils as well as community members have raised their concerns over this move and I wish to inform you that I have taken their concerns on board and have recently travelled with other community leaders to meet with the Queensland Government Minister for Local Government and Planning.

The Minister was informed on a number of the region’s issues, particularly on the need for individual Councils, the timing of the announcement, the consultation process and the potential cultural and practical ramifications.

At this point in time, I can tell you that I am working with the Island Coordinating Council’s Chairperson, Mrs Margaret Mau, to develop a united position which we can present to the Queensland Government.

This has been is a major decision - one that will affect the way our communities are governed and it is important that our communities are consulted as well as informed by the State Government throughout the whole process. I will endeavour to maintain dialogue with the Queensland Government and continue to update you as soon as more information on the matter is available.

Congratulations Neguams Womens Rugby League Team

I would like to congratulate the Neguams Women’s Rugby League Team (NWRLT), who are Torres Strait’s first womens representative side for rugby league.

The team recently travelled to Cairns to participate at the Veronica White Cup and from 5 to 6 May, the 23 member squad played against teams from Innisfail, Cairns and Brisbane.

The NWRLT reached third position at the end of the carnival, a great achievement considering that this was their first competition outside of the Torres Strait.

This team has demonstrated that women of the Torres Strait have the confidence and talent to change the norm. In this case, they have successfully participated in rugby league, a sport which is usually male dominated.

The TSRA is an avid supporter of healthy lifestyles and good sportsmanship. We also realise that our remote location often limits the experience that our sporting teams can gain, and on this occasion we were pleased to support the Neguams Womens Rugby League Team.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all members of the NWRLT for their time and effort in preparing for and participating at the carnival. In addition I would like to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of Ms Elsie Seriat and Ms Ruth Bon, who after the carnival were selected as part of the Queensland Merit Team and Ms Kinam Salee, who received the Selectors Encouragement and Rising Star Awards.

 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