08 NEWS
THURSDAY 2 MARCH 2023 TORRES NEWS
Infantry anniversary celebrations on track in Townsville
As he strummed on his trusty guitar Tom Neliman enchanted the room with his rendition of Nitha Ngalmun. He was singing at a practice at Townsville’s Flexible Learning Centre on Saturday 26 February for the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion. “This is an ode to the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion,” renowned entertainer Tom said. About 20 volunteers were there, including another well known singer and quality guitar player Alma Pilot, and Eddie Savage, who brought along his Warups. The Torres News was there and also saw Danny Ghee, Kappie Cloudy, Morris Cloudy, Angie Akee, Madeleine and Russell Philpott, Edith Mareko, JJ Parsgaard, Jim Akee, Therese Cowley, Olive-Rose Pearson and Matthew Pearson. Planning for the Townsville celebrations have been ongoing after
Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion
80th Anniversary News STORY AND PICS BY ALF WILSON
Tom Neliman and his trusty guitar. fine tuning at a meeting of about 20 Torres Strait Islanders held at Townsville’s Aitkenvale Library on Saturday 11 February. At the meeting a
large banner about the celebrations held pride of place. The Light Infantry (1942-46) was Australia’s only Indigenous Army
Battalion, formed to defend the far north from a possible Japanese invasion. A total of 830 men enlisted with the Battalion during WWII with just two survivors – Private Mebai Warusam (Saibai Island) and Private Awati Mau (Bamaga, a resident at the Star of the Sea Home for the Aged on Waiben) – now aged in their nineties. There will be many events between Saturday 18 March and ANZAC Day on 25 April, including visits to schools by volunteers, a family day and a march. At the meeting a list of schools for volunteers to visit was written up. “We hope to visit five primary schools and five secondary schools over the period and they will be both Catholic and State ones,” organiser Theresa Cowley said. “Boarding schools such as St Pats in Townsville, Columba in Charters Towers and Abergowrie, near Ingham, all have students from the Torres Strait so
they will be ideal.” She said the official launch, which members of the public will be invited to attend, will be on Friday 17 March at the Jezzine Barracks site near the Strand. “The three military services – Army, Navy and Airforce – are supporting this and will provide vehicles as displays,” she said. “The children will love this.” Another much anticipated event will be a family day at the Flexible Learning Centre which is expected to be attended by hundreds including many elders. “It is great to be able to have this indoor facility in case of rain and heat outdoors,” she said. “We thank the Flexible Learning Centre.” Interest in the contingent, which will take part in the ANZAC Day march along Townsville Strand Road and is traditionally watched by 40,000+ on lookers, is already high.
Eddie Savage and his warup drums.
Alma Pilot and her guitar.
Arts support for Torres Strait & NPA Regions Need help finding out about funding your arts projects? Want to be part of the Torres Strait Performing Arts Collective? Want to use TSIMA Studio and create music? Got an idea for an arts project? As part of Arts QLD Regional Arts Services Network (RASN), Torres Strait Islanders Association partnership with Regional Arts Services Network Tropical North has a regional arts officer based on Thursday Island to support your creative and artistic needs. For more information, contact Diat Alferink, CEO TSIMA 0497 618 738
07 4069 1524
ceo@tsima4mw.org.au
Regional Development Australia Tropical North in collaboration with Cook Shire council is the RASN Provider for Far North QLD Region.
ABOVE: Top: Danny Ghee, Alma Pilot, Kappie Cloudy amd Morris Cloudy. Above Left: Jim Akee. Above Right: Edith Mareko, JJ Parsgaard and Patrick Neliman. Below Right: Peter Adai amd Allan Kaniu.
