TSRA NEWS No.71 February 2006

Our Vision: To empower our people to determine their own affairs based on our unique Ailan Kastom bilong from which we draw our unity and strength. www.tsra.gov.au

Seaman Dan recognised for contribution to Patrons provide valuable feedback to cultural cafe Rosie Barkus awarded arts appointment culture Seaman Dan honoured with Red Ochre Award

Torres Strait Islander singer and "Seaman Dan has earned a national said it was extraordinary to think that songwriter Seaman Dan was and international reputation as a Seaman Dan made his first honoured in December with the captivating musician whose songs recording just five years ago and Australia Council for the Arts' 2005 convey the salty, sun-drenched since his debut had performed in Red Ochre Award. lifestyle of the Torres Strait," said Mr Japan, The Netherlands and The $50,000 Red Ochre Award Sarra. throughout Australia. recognises and pays tribute to an “While he has dedicated his life to Indigenous artist who has made an entertaining, what he has been able outstanding contribution to the ...he will continue to achieve in his short professional development and recognition of to delight audiences career is remarkable,” Mr Kris said. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “He sings about our everyday life arts and culture, both nationally and across the globe... and what's meaningful to Torres internationally. Strait people so while he shares our Chair of the Australia Council's culture with the world, his lyrics also Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Seventy-six-year-old Seaman Dan is remind us of what is truly unique and Arts Board, Dr Chris Sarra, said the dedicated to sharing and special about the TorresStrait. maintaining Torres Strait Islander Board was delighted to confer the “On behalf of the TSRA I culture through music. He says that 2005 Red Ochre Award on Seaman congratulate Uncle Seaman, he is an he hopes younger generations leave Dan. inspiration to Torres Strait people his performances saying, 'That old "A charismatic and consummate and I think there's little doubt he will fella, he's 76 years old and he's still performer, Seaman Dan blends continue to delight audiences across singing. If he can do it, we can do it traditional Torres Strait Islander and the globe and further generate a also!' pearling songs with jazz, and respect and appreciation of life in the blues." TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris TorresStrait."

CONTENTS

Seaman Dan honoured with Red Ochre 1 Well done Napcia 2 CRC Update - Turtles touch down! 4 Award High ratings for Gab Titui Cafe 3 Annual Report 04/05 Available 4 Appointment to ATSIAB 2 Good luck and thank you 3 Prevent Dengue Fever! 4 02. TSRA NEWS

Appointment to Australia Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board

Torres Strait textile artist Rosie represent the Torres Strait is a credit Her works, which are inspired by her Barkus has been appointed to the to her extensive experience and culture, the maritime history of the Australia Council's Aboriginal and dedication to her profession and the Torres Strait and marine and island Torres Strait Islander Arts Board industry. environment that surrounds her, (ATSIAB) for a three-year term. “It has come at a time when the have been exhibited extensively ATSIAB supports the development Torres Strait is striving to establish both nationally and internationally. and promotion of traditional arts an integrated arts and craft industry practices, as well as the generation and Mrs Barkus will be poised to of new forms of cultural and artistic provide valuable insight on how we expression among Aboriginal and can best take advantage of TorresStrait Islander people in urban opportunities for the benefit of our and regional areas, across all art Indigenous artists. forms. “The TSRA Board extends its TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris congratulations to Mrs Barkus, she congratulated Mrs Barkus as the first has worked hard to reach a pinnacle woman to represent the Torres Strait in her career and will no doubt be a on ATSIAB. source of inspiration and guidance in “Mrs Barkus' appointment to the her new position.” Board is an important achievement Rosie Barkus is a self-taught textile on many levels,” Mr Kris said. designer and printer and is based on Rosie Barkus, developing opportunities for Torres “To become the first woman to in the Torres Strait. Strait arts

TSRA Field Project Officer, Napcia “Professional development is really Well done Napcia Bin Tahal is the most recent staff important and keeps you member to complete her tertiary competitive in the jobs' market, as education. well as opens opportunities and for Ms Bin Tahal graduated from me, I gained a lot of personal Tropical North Institute satisfaction.” of TAFE with a Diploma of Business TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris (Frontline Management) and is congratulated Ms Bin Tahal on her excited about her new qualification achievement. and the opportunity to put her skills “It's never too late to pursue your to work. ambitions or just expand your knowledge and Napcia is another example of TSRA staff showing ...it's never too initiative.” late to pursue “I finished Leadership Development your ambitions... studies through the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation just last year and although study is always “Studying while working full-time challenging, particularly when takes planning and some balancing other roles, it's really compromises, but if you're important that more Indigenous people take this extra step to Napcia graduates with Business Diploma determined and focussed and remember why you started then develop their unique skills and that's enough to keep you going,” Ms apply this knowledge in their Bin Tahalsaid. communities,” Mr Kris said. 03. TSRA NEWS

High ratings for Gab Titui Cafe

Customer feedback is showing that of the Torres Strait and the tranquil Gab Titui Cafe is making an landscaped courtyard seem to relax impression on Thursday Island and inspire and with works from patrons and visitors with fresh some of Torres Strait's best artists as produce and creative dishes, not to a backdrop, it's not surprising. mention the decadent coffees and “The whole cafe team is thrilled to locally-made cakes! have such good feedback, but The Cafe, which re-opened in knowing what we can improve on is November with new Chef Freddo just as important. All ideas are Friolo, has been surveying patrons to welcome, so it's quite likely that assess whether its menu, service regular patrons will start to see their and ambience is meeting diners' suggestions put into action,” he said. expectations and the results could TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris not be better. thanked Thursday Island and “The feedback has been excellent neighbouring communities for and the Cafe couldn't have hoped supporting the Cafe and encouraged for more positive comments - TI their ongoing contribution through residents and visitors have really feedback forms or in person. taken us in,” Mr Friolo said. “The Gab Titui Cafe is aiming to be “The quality of food has been given dynamic and creative while top billing and the selection has also complimenting the award-winning rated very high. It has been noted Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Their that a few patrons are keen to see enthusiastic team and talented chefs more seafood and that's been an are making quite an impact. easy request to fulfil, considering Congratulations to them on their how lucky we are to have such great start.” excellent produce caught just offshore. “Patrons are telling us that it's not just the food but our ambience that they really appreciate. The unique tunes

Good luck and thank you

As legend has it, they have eaten the Coordinator has been instrumental in Wongai fruit and are bound to return the ongoing development of major to the Torres Strait. TSRA infrastructure throughout the Torres management and staff are not saying Strait's outer islands, through the their goodbyes to Mary Lawler and Major Infrastructure Program. His Lamickey Pitt, instead they are contribution to regional health wished every happiness and initiatives and housing policy has thanked for their years of service to been significant and has positively the people of this region. impacted on decision making for As the Corporate Services Manager, planning of these vital services. Mary has overseen the needs of The TSRA extends its gratitude and TSRA's human resources and assets well wishes to both Mary and and maintained its strict financial Lamickey on their move south. Mina accountability. Big Esso. Lamickey in his role as TSRA's From the TSRA Board and Housing and Infrastructure Policy Lamickey Pitt and Mary Lawler Administration 04. TSRA NEWS CRC Update Turtles touch down! TSRA Chairperson, Mr Toshie Kris stakeholders to produce culturally said the Torres Strait shared its turtle appropriate community based The travels of four Torres Strait population with South East Asian management initiatives for turtles, turtles are gaining international countries, Pacific Island nations, as well as dugongs. coverage through the world- Papua New Guinea and Australian “We aim to achieve this by working wide-web as researchers and Aboriginal communities as far west towards a regional turtle and dugong communities monitor their progress as the Kimberly, North East Arnhem program, as well as having a to better understand the behaviour Land, the Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape facilitator position based at the TSRA and movements of the region's York Peninsula and south to Moreton to work in collaboration with migratory species. Bay. communities to create suitable The celebrity turtles are affixed with “The ongoing results of the research community management practices satellite transmitting devices, which is having a very positive impact on that are unique to the TorresStrait.” have revealed good results. communities and students by being The turtle monitoring project is co- The three females are still in the able to monitor and learn turtle funded by Cooperative Research vicinity of their nesting beaches, migration patterns,” Mr Kris said. Centre (CRC) Torres Strait, the while "Crush", the adult male is still “I commend Hammond Island Natural Heritage Trust and James within the inner islands of Torres Council, TRAWQ Community Cook University. Strait slowing his pace now the Council and both their communities breeding season is over. for participating in the project and Researchers have reported that being one of the first to release "Waru" was seen on Raine Island satellite monitored turtles into the trying to find an empty space to lay a sea for this study. clutch of eggs which may be just one “I am sure it was a great thrill for the of a number of clutches this season, children of Hammond and Thursday as she has spent most of her time Islands to return to school in January close to Raine Island. and find out how busy their turtles And Waru is not the only star of the have been over the school holidays - group; it appears "Toni" has now laid what a way to learn! six clutches for the season (Nov 2, “The TSRA recognises the Waru, nesting over Christmas Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 10, Dec 26 and importance of preserving this Courtesy of CRC Torres Strait Jan 11). species and is working with

Access to daily updated tracking maps and information on all three turtles is available via the www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=100 website under the Kaiwalagal Marine Turtle Project, courtesy of SEATURTLE.ORG. Follow the above link, and click the "I agree" button regarding copyright conditions to see each turtle's progress.

Annual Report Out Now Prevent Dengue Fever!

The TSRA's Annual Report for Dengue Fever is a disease spread by Support Health and Council Officers 2004 - 2005 is now available a specific mosquito and found in and protect your property, your from the TSRA Office on Victoria tropical areas across the world. family and community. Maintain our Parade or by calling the TSRA Each wet season Torres Strait vigilance. toll free on 1800 093 079, we can residents are asked to be vigilant and For further information follow arrange for a Report to be protect themselves with repellent the link on TSRA's website posted to you. and reduce possible breeding sites (www.tsra.gov.au) or contact your around their homes and yards. Council or Environmental It's vitally important that residents Health (Queensland continue to make this collective effort to eliminate the risk of an Health) on outbreak this year. The key to 4069 0436. preventing the disease is to ensure vessels and structures, which can harbour water, are regularly emptied or removed so the breeding cycle is broken.

BUSINESS ADDRESS CONTACT DETAILS

1st Floor,Torres Strait Haus PO Box 261 Telephone:(07) 4069 0700 Victoria Parade Thursday Island Queensland 4875 Fax: (07) 4069 1879 Thursday Island www.tsra.gov.au Toll Free Number: 1800 079 093