Torres Strait Kaziw Meta held its annual NAIDOC celebration with boarders and their families over the weekend.
During the day, boarders participated in cultural activities and intensive workshops facilitated by visiting parents and cultural practitioners who imparted cultural knowledge and language teachings.
Feasting preparations were underway by Saturday lunchtime for the gala feasting and dance showcase, held at the Thursday Island Sports Complex.
Families travelled from outer island communities to support their children and celebrate the 2025 NAIDOC Theme; The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy which acknowledged First Nations achievements of the past and the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
Co-organisers Dyral Lui and Frank Morseu from Torres Strait Kaziw Meta said the event held culture at its heart and brought a taste of outer island celebrations to Waiben.
‘This year’s NAIDOC was really good,” Uncle Frank said.
“Daryl and I have worked hard to plan every aspect of this event, from flights and accommodation to kaikai and preparing our Kaziw Meta Dance Team to showcase our rich culture to their parents,”
“It was good to see families here to support our children throughout our NAIDOC celebrations,” he added.
Torres Strait Kaziw Meta CEO Thomas Dunsmore praised Dyral and Frank for their efforts in producing the boarding house’s second NAIDOC event.
“This is one of the best weekends of the year Kaziw Meta has had,” Uncle Tom said.
“All the families came to celebrate NAIDOC and culture with the Boarders, and we were so lucky to have over 160 families join us over the weekend and a heap of traditional activities and to celebrating the success of the boarders,”
“Mina big eso to Uncle Daryl and Uncle Frank for organising this amazing event for our boarders and families to enjoy,” he added.
Year 11 Boarder Salome David designed the Torres Strait Kaziw Meta 2025 NAIDOC shirt and was acknowledge at the event. Together with her parents they were gifted with a shirt to honour her deadly artistic skills.
Boarder parent Trudy Lui spoke on behalf of parents and acknowledged Torres Strait Kaziw Meta for bringing Zenadth Kes families together in celebration of culture and identity.
Director of boarding Julie Cubit thanked parents for facilitating workshops and for cooking for the traditional feasting.
After guest performances by Lagaw Titui dance team and Ip Karem Beizam the Kaziw meta boarders danced the rest of the night away in true island sprit honouring legacy and resilience of Zenadth Kes.