28 August

TSRA News Column

28 August - 04 September 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.

Condolence Message

Last week I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Donald Mosby. Mr Mosby was the Chairperson of Yorke Island Council and a valued Member of the Torres Strait Regional Authority’s (TSRA) Board.

Mr Mosby was an avid supporter of enterprise and employment development for the Torres Strait. Through his role as the TSRA’s Portfolio Member for Small Business and Economic Development as well as Marine and Fisheries, he strived to create opportunities for both individual and community economic independence.

He actively worked in partnership with the TSRA Board and Administration, our communities and relevant government agencies to formulate business and economic development initiatives and programs for our region.

In addition, he worked in partnership with our community fisher representatives to ensure that the aspirations of community fishers were heard at consultative forums, including at the Protected Zone Joint Authority level, and endeavoured to obtain the best possible outcomes for our people.

On behalf of the TSRA Board and the Administrative Arm, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the families who are mourning the loss of Mr Mosby. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow.

Anniversary of 1937 First Councillors Conference

Thursday 23 August marked the 70^th Anniversary of the inaugural Councillors Meeting held on Masig Island in 1937.

It was a day to remember the work of our past leaders who strived to obtain a greater role in managing Torres Strait affairs. This important struggle along with the historic 1939 Maritime Strike, resulted in the Queensland Government establishing the Torres Strait Islanders Act in 1939. The Act gave our people a greater role in community governance.

Now 70 years on, this generation of leaders is facing a new challenge. The Queensland Government is amalgamating our individual Island Councils to become the Torres Strait Islander Regional Council (TSIRC) and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC). This change poses a threat to individual island identity, individual island authority and the foundations laid by our forefathers for the empowerment of our communities.

This year’s anniversary theme, ‘Survival in Unity,’ highlights the fact that we must all work in partnership to rise to this new challenge. We must reflect on the achievements and determination of past leaders and draw inspiration from history to move forward and to face these new reforms.

Though the formation and role of the TSIRC and NPARC has been determined, the Queensland Government is open to submissions on the structure of Community Boards. I encourage current leaders and community members to take this opportunity and work together to present a united position to the Premier before the next round of legislation is passed.

This is an important time in our region’s political history and it is imperative that we work together to ensure that the voice of the Torres Strait is heard and considered by the Queensland Government and our identity is not lost.

MIP Moa Sewerage Project Underway

I would like to inform you that construction of a new sewerage system for Moa Island’s Kubin and St Pauls communities is well underway. Works began in June this year and it is expected that construction of the project will take approximately 85 weeks.

This $20 million project is being funded by the region’s Major Infrastructure Program (MIP), which is delivered by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and the Queensland Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation (DLGPSR) – representing the Australian and Queensland Government’s commitment towards improving environmental health infrastructure in the region.

The Sewerage Project will replace existing septic systems with fully reticulated sewerage systems in both Kubin and St Pauls communities. This will result in a more modern and efficient way in the treatment of the communities’ sewerage and also contribute to enhanced environmental health outcomes for Moa Island’s people.

Training and employment opportunities will be offered to community members throughout the construction phase. In addition, when the Project is complete, selected community members will receive accredited training to become specialist plant operators.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mualgal Land Trust and the respective community councils of Kubin and St Pauls for working in partnership with the TSRA and DLGPSR to implement this important project.

As a result of the MIP delivered environmental health infrastructure, Indigenous living standards in the Torres Strait are being dramatically improved. However, in order to allow MIP to continue beyond 2009 and to build on the sound environmental health base already established, it is vital that the Australian Government’s commitment to MIP matches the current four-year $56 million commitment by the Queensland Government.

Congratulations Dennis Nona & Alick Tipoti

Two Torres Strait Islanders were recently recognised as being amongst the best of Australia’s Indigenous artists at the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards held in Darwin on 10 August.

Mr Dennis Nona was announced winner of the 2007 Telstra Award for his 650 kilogram bronze crocodile piece, Ubirikubiri. The large crocodile, with a man on his back, depicts a legend from the west coast of Papua New Guinea.

Mr Alick Tipoti was recognised for his detailed and intricate linocut, Gubau Aimai Mabaigal, showing the seasonal calendar of his people. He won the title of best Work on Paper.

I would like to congratulate both these artists for their outstanding achievement. They have increased the profile of Torres Strait art in both the national and international arts market and have also kept our region’s stories and history alive.

Any feedback 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.