6 November

TSRA News Column
06 – 13 November 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
On behalf of the Board Members of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), I would like to extend our sympathies to families who are currently mourning the loss of a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Horticulture Graduates
I was pleased to hear that on 18 October, ten community members graduated with Certificates (II) in Amenity Horticulture.

The graduation ceremony was hosted by Hammond Island Council and was attended by the Chairperson of Hammond Island Council Mr Fred Gela, Deputy Chairperson Mr Seriako Dorante, Councillor Mr Thomas Sabatino, TSRA’s General Manager Mr Wayne See Kee, TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit Manager Mr Damian Miley, along with the trainers, graduates and community members.

The training was delivered over twelve weeks, through the TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit’s Training and Capacity Building project, with support from the Natural Heritage Trust and Hammond Island Council, who hosted the course.

Landcare team members from Hammond, Mer, Erub and Masig Islands as well as representatives from the Horn Island Aboriginal Corporation and Torres Shire Council participated in the course and after three months of study, the following community members graduated:

Hammond Island Nursery:
? Ms Salu Dorante
? Ms Anima Pearson
? Ms Elizabeth Dorante
? Ms Loretta Adidi
? Ms Brancis Baira

Masig Landcare Team leader:
? Mrs Edna Nai

Mer Landcare Team leader:
? Mr James Zaro

Horn Island Aboriginal Corporation:
? Ms Kema Aitken
? Mr Cornwall Wasaga

Torres Shire Council:
? Mr Richard Abednego

The skills and qualifications gained will provide these graduates as well as the communities that they represent with the confidence and capacity to advance further land management activities on their islands.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the graduates, your hard work and knowledge can now be used to sustainably manage our region’s unique environment.

New Exhibition and Workshops At Gab Titui
From Tuesday 6 November until Sunday 16 December, the Gab Titui Cultural Centre will be hosting a new exhibition titled, “Culture Cullt Clan,” by Erub Island descendent, Ms Janice Peacock.

Ms Peacock’s collection of artwork includes a series of contemporary styled artwork, exhibiting a modern interpretation of technology as well as cultural items and issues.

In addition to the artwork, there will also be a photographic display of some of Ms Peacock’s earlier works, including a sculptural piece titled “Crates and Traits in the Straits.”

Along with her exhibition, Janice will also be sharing her artistic knowledge and skills with the community by delivering:

? An art workshop for primary and secondary students on 6 November
? Three-day workshops for Indigenous artists, from 7 to 9 November
? A presentation about “Culture Cullt Clan” on Saturday 17 November

I encourage community members, particularly our artists and crafts-people to take advantage of the workshop and presentation, as it is an opportunity for further skill development as well as to see and hear first hand of the experiences of this nationally renowned artist.

For more information about this “Culture Cullt Clan,” please contact the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, by telephone 07 4090 2130, email info@tsra.gov.au or visit the Centre, located on the corner of Blackall Street and Victoria Parade, Thursday Island.

Seisia Council Opens New Administration Centre
On Monday 29 October, I had the pleasure attending the opening ceremony of Seisia Community Council’s Daniel Maneka Elu Administration Centre.

The new Council Administration Centre on the Seisia esplanade, provides much needed office space as well as modern facilities to assist the local Council to deliver its services to its community.

I understand that Council oversaw the construction of the new Centre and also utilised the local workforce by involving participants from its Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) to take part in the works.

The new Administration Centre has arrived after a long wait by the Seisia Council and its people, and I commend the Council for their persistence and commitment toward establishing this much needed resource, which will be utilized by both the Council, community and visitors.

This opening ceremony also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Seisia Council as well as the 10th birthday of the Seisia Supermarket, which was a further cause for celebration.

I would like to congratulate the Seisia Council and Community on their new facilities and anniversaries and in particular, I would also like to extend a mina big esso to the Council’s Chairperson Mr Joseph Elu, for inviting me to participate in the opening.

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.