TORRES STRAIT FLAG DAY 03
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 1 JUNE 2023
Torres Strait Flag Day a nod to proud history Warmed by the sun with the smell of the salt air and the blue waters of the Torres Strait framing the ceremony, Torres Shire Council hosted the 2023 Torres Strait Flag Day on Monday, MC’d by Deputy Mayor Cr Gabriel Bani. The day began with the raising of the flag on Victoria Parade by the son the late Bernard Namok (Senior). Bernard Namok Jnr reminded everyone the flag his father designed had flown in the Federal Parliament in Canberra and State parliaments throughout Australia, in government and public buildings throughout the length and breadth of the country, as well as on Australian embassies around the world. “I was at the United Nations in New York and am very proud that the flag is flown there and that Dad’s vision has been realised in bringing our flag, the Torres Strait flag, to the world,” he said. The sounds of the bu shell then went with a march to ANZAC Park where Torres Shire Council Mayor Yen Loban welcomed the community to the ceremony. He reminded everyone of the importance of the upcoming national referendum to enshrine the Voice to Parliament in the constitution. “I invite you to join with me and vote ‘Yes’ at the referendum,” he said.
Other speakers included Torres Strait Island Regional Council Deputy Mayor Cr Getano Lui, who was an original member of the Island Coordinating Council (ICC). He explained the history of the fight for self-determination from the ICC until this day: from the 1936 maritime strike to the first Islanders Conference at Masig Island in 1937, to the creation of the only entirely Indigenous battalion in the 1940s to defend the Torres Strait during
the Second World War, to the Masig Statement, expected to be discussed at length at this week’s Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival, from Tuesday until tomorrow night. “We are at the beginning of the beginning,” he said. Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chair Napau Pedro Stephen AM said self-determination and sovereignty was important to the peoples of the Torres Strait, and
Churches combine for prayers and blessings More than 300 community members attended a combined church service held last Sunday at ANZAC Park to launch the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival week with prayers and blessings. The event was hosted by the Torres Shire Indigenous Advisory Committee chaired by Cr John Abednego with Mayor Yen Loban, Cr Gabriel Bani, and Elders Uncle Pedro Stephen, Aunty Silen David, Ama Denna Nona and Uncle Alo Tapim with Torres Shire Council CEO Dalassa Yorkston. On the day a donation bowl was passed around for the family of missing kayaker Denne Bourke, which was presented to Tari Sagigi by Aunty Silen after the service. A light lunch was also provided by Torres Shire Council.
called on all government agencies to develop and grow local talent and local leadership. “Our people should be filling these positions,” he said. He told the school-age children present they were the leaders of tomorrow who would carry the fight forward. Uncle Bongo Sagigi also spoke. Torres Shire Council Cr John Abednego, with Cr Bani, was a member of the Indigenous Advisory
Committee (IAC) who helped develop this year’s theme and content for the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival. He said the theme – The Masig Statement - Malungu Yangu Wakay (Voice from the Deep) – was important. The final speaker Phillip Mills talked about sovereignty and made it clear it was never ceded. “We do not need to ask for sovereignty,” he said. “It is ours. “It cannot be given by a colonial power, when it had never been given away.” After the cake was cut, the community were given a taste of what was to come during the Cultural Festival, with performances including Neguams Dance Troupe from Mer, Dhamuw Koedal from Badhu, and dancers from Masig Islands. “This flag day truly feels like we are not only celebrating our culture and our history, but we are at the beginning of a change the peoples of Zenadth Kes have struggled for so long to achieve,” Mayor Loban said. “It feels very special and important.” Pic by Tari Sagigi. More pics P 8 & 9 N Torres News will have full coverage of the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival in our next issue J
2023 GAB TITUI
ART AWARD
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Share in over $37,000 worth of prizes
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Committee members Gabriel Bani, John Abednego & Silen David present Tari Sagigi with the proceeds of the donation bowl collected at the combined church service. Pics supplied.
Monday 17 July 2023 | Cut-off to arrange freight Friday 21 July 2023 | Entries Close
All works entered into the exhibition are professionally photographed and published in an exhibition catalogue distributed nationally. They are also eligible to take out the major prize of Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award winner. The 2023 Award exhibition will open on 2 November 2023, with all works on display until Saturday 16 December 2023. The combined church service at ANZAC Park on Sunday.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Leitha Assan, TSRA: 07 4069 0888 | info@gabtitui.gov.au
