2006 Speeches

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Address by TSRA Chairman

Mr Toshie Kris

Kubin Arts Centre Opening

28 June 2006

Good Morning/Afternoon, I wish to firstly acknowledge:

  • The traditional owners of this land – the Mualgal People
  • Elders
  • Kubin Island Council
  • Representatives of the Mualgau Minaral Artist Collective
  • Queensland Department of State Development Officers
  • Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to be here today to take part in this significant occasion in your community – the opening of the Mualgau Mineral Artist Collectives Art Centre. 

The TSRA was pleased to provide assistance to Kubin Council and the Mualgau Mineral Artist Collective to upgrade and transform what was the old IBIS Building to this new, modern, Art Centre. 

This is another successfully completed project under the TSRA’s Community Economic Incentive Scheme, which is assisting many of our communities to venture into income generating business enterprises. 

Through programs such as these, we are working towards creating   economic independence for our people. 

This new Centre will be a hub of activity for Kubin, with artists sharing their knowledge and expertise, as well as generating supplementary income and enhancing the community’s economy. 

The TSRA recognises that art is a central part of our unique ailan culture - it is through our paintings, dance and song that our ancestral stories and legends are maintained and passed on to our younger generation, and it is important that projects such as these are supported to assist in the preservation of our culture. 

Only recently has the world begun to experience the rich and vibrant culture and art of the Torres Strait, with our own “home grown” artists now in demand and being recognised nationally and internationally, placing the Torres Strait in the Indigenous Art spotlight. 

This Centre will continue to allow local artists to develop further their exceptional talent and continue the maintenance and emergence of Torres Strait into the arts scene. 

May I take this opportunity to congratulate the Mualgau Minaral Artist Collective and Kubin Council for initiating this project in their community, and I would also like to thank the Queensland Department of State Development, who assisted in funding this Centre.  

It is through collaboration from all levels of government, that we are seeing results such as this, in the Torres Strait. Esso.

 

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