2008 Chair Column

TSRA News Column

For publishing 10 September 2008

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.

Integrated Planning for the Region

On the 22^nd of August I met with the three Local Government Mayors of the region, Cr Pedro Stephen, Cr Joseph Elu, and Cr Fred Gela, to discuss working together to produce an integrated plan for the Torres Strait region. It was acknowledged by all of us that this was an historic event that had the potential to produce real benefits for the Torres Strait people.

We all agreed that community consultation was the first step in our joint endeavour and TSRA will be contacting communities to make arrangements to visit through September into mid October. By consulting with you all we hope to identify priorities and concerns for the future of our communities.

Support for Prescribed Bodies Corporate

The Mabo case, a common law claim against the State of Queensland was handed down by the High Court in 1992.  

Since its recognition as a Native Title Representative Body, the TSRA, through the Native Title Office, is charged with performing native title functions under the Native Title Act and has been efficiently and diligently working to ensure that Traditional Owners native title rights are recognised, protected and endorsed in the Torres Strait. 

The Native Title Office works closely with Traditional Owners and Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) and takes instructions as well as provides advice relating to native title and related legal matters directly from the relevant group of Traditional Owners. The office was established to provide the legal services required to support Traditional Owners and Prescribed Bodies Corporate in this regard.

The Native Title Office ensures that there is linkage between the Traditional Owners and Agencies on any land issues and ensures that the views of the Traditional Owners are heard through the negotiation processes.

One of the key factors that has been identified over the years, and through the recent Local Government amalgamation process, was the need for PBCs to enhance their governance capacity and to assist them deliver programs in the community. These forums are there for the PBC Chairs to work through issues, plan and share information. The TSRA continues to support the PBC Chair’s Forums and workshops.

The TSRA elected arm continues to support PBCs and Traditional Owners as we are Traditional Owners ourselves.

Caring for Country Ranger Initiative

I am pleased to announce our Land and Sea Management Unit are developing a new ranger program to be delivered across Torres Strait over coming years.  The program will be critical to the successful delivery of local on-ground projects in the region, as well as the implementation of community-based dugong and turtle management plans.

Funds have already been secured for the establishment of a ranger program on Mabuiag, with a further proposal submitted to the Australian Government for expansion into eight communities.  The program will build on the good work of existing ranger activities, such as Hammond Island, and will be in partnership with Torres Strait Island Regional Council. 

Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund Grants 2008

The successful applicants for the second round of the 2008 Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund (IRADF) have now been announced. 

The $50,000 Fund is a joint initiative between the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and Arts Queensland and was established to build the skills and economic independence of Indigenous artists in the region. The grants are one-off, short term projects that offer professional arts, cultural and heritage opportunities and it is hoped that they will help broaden the wider Australian community’s awareness of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal arts and culture.

IRADF is offered twice a year and local Indigenous artists from all creative disciplines are encouraged to apply. In this round, music, lino and screen printing, carving, and weaving have all been supported.

The band Northern Exposure received $12,236 to write, compose and record an album; Iama Island received $6,800 to employ Mr Alick Tipoti to teach screen printing and lino printing workshops; Mr William Akee received $4,000 to purchase new tools for his carving business; Erub Erwer Meta Torres Strait Islanders Corporation received $6,550 for Erub artists to attend weaving workshops at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre during the Torres Strait Cultural Festival; and Mr Cygnet Repu from Mabuiag received $28,450 to write, compose and record an album in Mabuiag traditional language – ‘Kala Lagaw ya’.

I would like to thank all community members who submitted an application for IRADF and congratulate the recipients. I am sure their success will help to raise the profile Torres Strait Islander art and keep alive the beauty and traditions of the region’s culture.

Cultural Festival 

The Torres Strait Cultural Festival is coming up next week and on Wednesday 17 September the Gab Titui Cultural Centre is launching Peter Levi’s CD ‘It’s All About Love’, the Music and Dance Audit CD/DVD, and a new weaving exhibition. Come along and join in the celebrations.

Until the next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe.

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.