9 October

TSRA News Column
09 – 16 October 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.

Sea Claim Early Evidence Hearings
As you may be aware, towards the end of last month, the Federal Court of Australia began visiting Boigu, Kubin, Badu, Saibai, Mer, and Erub communities to hold early evidence hearings to hear and preserve the evidence of Traditional Owner Elders in the Regional Sea Claim.

Since the Claim was originally filed by the region’s Traditional Owners in the Federal Court in 2001, mediation over several years has highlighted the important need to preserve traditional information.

During this visit the Court Judge will hear first-hand traditional evidence in relation to the Claim. The evidence will be preserved and become part of Court record, and will also help to assist parties to either reach agreement or narrow down some of the issues to be contested.

These early evidence hearings are not the final hearings as more work is needed to progress the Claim further, so I encourage Traditional Owners to continue working and supporting each other until the case is finalised.

I would like to thank the respective Elders, Island Councils, Prescribed Bodies Corporates, and community members for working with the TSRA’s Native Title Office (NTO) to organise and host the hearings.

I also wish to acknowledge the hard work of the TSRA’s NTO, who have assisted Counsel with preparing witness statements, briefing witnesses and the communities in preparation for these Court sittings.

The Regional Sea Claim is a priority for the TSRA’s NTO, and the NTO will continue to assist traditional owners to advance this Claim. By working constructively together, Traditional Owners will be able to secure the best possible outcome for our people.

Computer Training Workshops
From 15 to 19 October, the TSRA in conjunction with Learning Network Queensland, will be hosting a series of computer training workshops.

These workshops are free of charge and are designed to equip local business owners and community members with information technology to enhance their computer knowledge and assist with overall business operations.

Various three hour-long training sessions will be held at the TSRA Conference Room, and include courses on:

- Introduction to Computers/Word              - Internet/Email
- Microsoft Powerpoint                              - Digital Imaging
- Microsoft Word                                       - Microsoft Excel
- Intermediate Word                                   - Intermediate Excel

This is great opportunity to learn new computer skills so I encourage community members to take advantage of these courses.

For more information about these training sessions or to reserve your place, please contact the TSRA’s Economic Development Unit by telephone (07) 4069 0700 or toll free 1800 079 0793. Alternatively, you can also email the team at info@tsra.gov.au or visit them at the TSRA Office, located on the first floor of Torres Strait Haus, 46 Victoria Parade Thursday Island.

The Hon. Warren Entsch Retiring
As the Australian Government elections are anticipated to be announced shortly, this week I would like to acknowledge the work of our out-going Federal Member for Leichhardt, the Honourable Warren Entsch.

After representing the Torres Strait region through the Australian Parliament’s House of Representatives since 1996, Mr Entsch will be retiring.

During his role as the region’s Member for Leichhardt, Mr Entsch worked with our communities to present Torres Strait issues to the Australian Government and in particular, he also worked with the TSRA Board to progress a number of key initiatives. This included providing his support for the TSRA to secure additional funds from the Australian Government to continue the Major Infrastructure Program.

Warren also campaigned and provided support to have the region’s war veterans recognised for their valuable contribution towards protecting Australia.

On behalf of the TSRA Board, I would like to extend a big esso to Warren for his work over the last eleven years and I wish him well during his retirement.


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.