As part of Queensland's 150 years celebrations, Tagai TAFE art students were invited by Torres Shire Council to work on two large tiles, which will form part of a large mural to be exhibited in Brisbane in June.

All councils across Queensland were sent two tiles and asked to decorate one with images of the past and one to represent ideas for the future. Two students from Tagai State School, George Gabey and Carmen Tapau, worked with TAFE Art Teacher Diana Abiad to produce the two mural tiles. Painted with acrylic paint and using collage techniques the historical tile has images from the past including the pearling industry, the South Sea Islander influences, the Coming of the Light as well as cultural references to represent Islanders strong ties to the past before Europeans arrived.

After workshopping ideas for the future the students decided that no future would be worth living in without maintaining and preserving strong cultural influences and customs. Accordingly the future tile contains images directly relating to the sea, animals and food, culture and lifestyle. The tiles will be on display in Brisbane from June and will give Torres Strait great representation during this historic year.

From Left: Mayor Pedro Stephen, Diana Abiad, Deputy Mayor Napcia Bin Tahal, Carmen Tapau, Cr. Bill Shibasaki