The eastern Torres Strait Islands

The eastern Torres Strait Islands is the realm of the Meriam speaking people of Murray Island (Mer), Darnley Island (Erub) and Stephen Island (Ugar); the latter island is the most isolated, as there is no airstrip and access is by boat from Darnley Island.

Darnley Island, also known as Erub, is the largest volcanic island in the eastern Torres Strait with a population of around 375. On 1 July 1871, Darnley became the stage for the Coming of the Light - where the gospel was first introduced, by the London Missionary Society, to the Torres Strait region.

Before the Light came, pearlers and beche-de-mer gatherers began visiting the island. Over many years, these industries attracted an influx of seamen from the Pacific Islands, the Philippines and Malaya, many of whom married local women and settled on the island.

Early in the twentieth century, the Queensland Government started installing various facilities such as a school, medical aid, post office and an Island Industries Board store. Darnley people have been at the forefront of the movement for adequate recognition of Torres Strait Islanders' rights, with George Mye among the most prominent advocates of Islander interests from the 1960s to the 90s and Carlemo Wacando among the first to challenge the legal notion of terra nullius.

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