2006 Speeches

Address by TSRA Chairman

Mr Toshie Kris

Stephen Island Ferry & Freezer Blessing

14 July 2006

I would like to acknowledge:

• The traditional owners of Ugar and nearby islands
• The Ugar Elders 
• Ugar Island Council 
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for inviting me here to your beautiful island community to be part of the blessing ceremony that will launch this new vessel and freezer facility to serve the people of Ugar.

The TSRA was pleased to apply its Municipal Support Program and Community Economic Incentive Scheme to assist the Council of Ugar to purchase this new ferry and freezer.

Through the delivery of such programs, the TSRA aims to help our communities to access facilities and benefit from appropriate essential services.

We also aim to create economic opportunities for our communities by supporting ventures that will generate positive social, cultural, and economic outcomes.

This new ferry will generate a number of positive outcomes for Ugar Community, which include safe, fast and inexpensive transport for residents and visitors; it will assist to reunite families and friends at cultural events; and, I understand that Council is coordinating appropriate training for the crew and subsequent employment.

With a large scale freezer service on the island, local fishermen can now return to their home community to store and sell their catch locally, instead of taking it elsewhere, and these two new facilities will also generate income and enhance the local economy.

I wish to thank the Council of Ugar for working with the TSRA to help improve the wellbeing of our people in the Torres Strait.

On behalf of the TSRA, I would like congratulate the people of Ugar on your new freezer, and I wish you safe and pleasant journeys on the ferry. Esso.