Dauan and Boigu, northern Torres Strait Islands

Like Saibai, Dauan and Boigu belong to the top western group of islands, located about 120km north of Thursday Island. The language spoken is KKY (Kalaw Kawaw Ya), and there are strong traditional kinship ties between the islands.

Dauanis a small island just to the west of Saibai. Mount Cornwallis is the most northerly granite peak; it is actually part of the Great Dividing Range. The soil is relatively fertile and supports local family gardens. It is noted for its cool, freshwater permanent springs. The surrounding waters yield abundant fish. Dauan is serviced by boat, barge and helicopter; the nearest airport is on Saibai, 6km to the northeast. The community is built along the narrow coastal lowland, backed by steep granite peaks. Like other islands of the Torres Straits, municipal services are provided by the local Community Council of Dauan Island.

In 1871 two brothers, Garmai and Jawai (Dheobau Clansmen), accompanied missionaries from the London Missionary Society to Saibai and influenced the islanders to accept the missionaries. During the pearling era most of the men worked on pearling luggers, and enlisted with the Torres Strait Light Infantry when World War 2 broke out. In July 2000 it celebrated its successful Native Title Land Claim to the island.

Boiguis Australia's most northerly inhabited island, 6 km from the Papua New Guinea coast. Like Saibai, the island is swampy with surrounding mangroves. There are six clans - Samu (cassowary), Dhoeybaw (yam), Koedal (crocodile), Baydham (shark), Thabu (snake) and Karbay (heron).

According to tradition, Kiba and his brothers were the first men on Boigu. Missionaries from the London Missionary Society came to the island on 8 July 1871, but were not welcomed by the Islanders. The men of Boigu worked on luggers and cutters as swimmers, not divers. During the Second World War war the men worked as labourers, but they were not happy doing this, so together with other men from the top western islands they formed a company of the Torres Strait Light Infantry. Every year on 10 June, ex-service people celebrate the end of their army careers.

(This information is courtesy of Torres Strait Island Missions and Communities, © State Library of Queensland 1995-2003...