NEWS, ART & CLASSIFIEDS 11
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 1 JUNE 2023
Sydney Uni goes deep into Torres Strait culture STORY & PICS BY VELMA GARA A Torres Strait Immersion Day was the first time Torres Strait cultural knowledge was presented to students studying nutrition and dietetics at the University of Sydney last month. Lecturer in Dietetics, Dr Alyse Jai Davies, said there was a need for more information about the Torres Strait. “There was a lack of understanding and knowledge of history, cultural diet and health,” she said. After organising an Aboriginal Cultural Immersion Day in 2022 she said she felt it was appropriate to conduct a similar program this year for Torres Strait Islanders. She was supported by colleague, Dr Bobby Porykali. NAMU Consultancy and 2 Footprints were approached to conduct the Day, which involved cultural workshops on cooking, creation stories, weaving and dance. Consultant, Genus Passi said the day was a success. “It was an awesome day of raising awareness of our eastern islands cultural practices, protocols and customary lore to 80+ Dietetic, local and international students, and staff at the Uni of Sydney,” he said. Mr Passi organised family members from Sydney and Townsville to conduct the workshops. He said he felt honoured and blessed to work with his sons, Genus Jnr and Xavier, along with other family members who were all recognised as emerging leaders of our Torres Strait Island community.
Xavier Passi and Patrina Gara conducted a weaving workshop. ABOVE: Team effort – University of Sydney & Torres Strait community: Back L-R: Aba Bero, Thomas Dow, Jacob Dow, Patrina Gara, Xavier Passi & Andrew Malloc. Front L-R: Dr Alyse Davies, Dr Bobby Porykali, Genus Passi Jnr, Trudi Passi & Genus Passi Snr. LEFT: Thomas Dow, Aba Bero & Genus Passi Jnr conducted a dance workshop.
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Martin to help drive Chamber Music Fest BY ALF WILSON Waiben-born Professor Martin Nakata, vicechancellor Indigenous Education and Strategy at James Cook University in Townsville, has been appointed to the board of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, due to be held in Townsville from 27 July to 6 August. Thirteen international artists will make the trip to Townsville for this year’s Australia Festival of Chamber Music, five of whom are making their Australia debut. Prof Nakata, 65, was born on Waiben and educated at the Catholic Convent, the State Primary School and Tagai College. The son of the last surviving
Professor Martin Nakata. Pic supplied.
of the famous Mills sisters Cessa, 93, he was also a first cousin of Benny Mills, the father of champion basketballer Patty Mills. “It is an honour to be on the board and be part of the coming festival and will be looking forward to meeting the
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists,” Prof Nakata told the Torres News. He said he was passionate about First Nations youngsters getting a good education. “I want as many as possible to go to university and later go back and contribute to their
communities – I didn’t expect to become a Professor,” he said. His extensive academic career has been in Indigenous education, studies and knowledge. As the co-editor of the Australian Journal of Indigenous Education for the past 10 years, Professor Nakata has published extensively in national and academic journals, anthologies and books in Australia and internationally and has presented over 70 plenary and keynote addresses around the globe. His current research work includes two longitudinal studies of the academic preparation of Indigenous students for university studies, and the academic performance of Indigenous school students in maths and science.
Torres Strait Regional Authority Tender No. 7683 Gab Titui Cladding Replacement The TSRA is seeking tenders from suitably qualified and experienced organisations to undertake removal and replacement of existing ACP external cladding and insulation on the Gab Titui Cultural Centre located on Thursday Island, QLD 4875. Tenderers may register expression of interest for the tender documentation via email to tenders@blackm.com. Tenders close at 2.00pm Thursday 22 June 2023 and must be submitted via email to Tenders@blackm.com by the closing time. 93 Digger Street Cairns North QLD 4870 Telephone: 4031 9944 Tender enquiries should be directed to tenders@blackm.com
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