Celebrating local champions at the 2026 Torres Strait NAIDOC Awards
Published on 20 July 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
The Torres Strait Community came together for the 2026 Torres Strait NAIDOC Awards on Friday, 17 July at the TI Sports Complex Stadium on Waiben. The sold-out event, themed Fifty Years of Deadly, marked the milestone 50th anniversary of NAIDOC.
The evening commenced with the blessing by Rev. Father Tom Stephen and the Welcome to Country by Enid Tom.
In her opening address, Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat OAM welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the milestone anniversary and the importance of properly recognising the people who hold this community together.
Mayor Seriat then welcomed Master of Ceremonies Sylvia Tabua, who guided guests through an evening celebrating culture, achievement and community pride.
The program opened with a vibrant performance by the Lagaw Titui Dance Team, followed by dinner and entertainment from Northern Xposure and Keeáhn the presentation of this year’s prestigious NAIDOC awards.
Two Special Recognition certificates were presented to exceptional young Torres Strait Islanders.
Trainee Sherkoda Uta was recognised for making history as the first female Torres Strait Islander carpentry apprentice with Matt Birney Builders on Thursday Island, mastering skills across framing, concreting and wet areas since completing her Certificate II through TagaiTECH. By confidently entering a male-dominated trade, Sherkoda is breaking down barriers for young women across the region. In addition to being celebrated at the awards on Friday evening, her story has been recognised in both the Koori Mail and Torres News.
Micairee Bin-Awel received special recognition for his outstanding sporting skills. He has represented the Torres Strait in basketball since the age of 15, competing nationally with Wongai and Norths Basketball and, most recently, representing his New Zealand heritage at the Global Hoops Tournament and NBTC Live in Manila. His talent and work ethic mark him as one of the region’s brightest young sporting prospects.
The Youth of the Year award, sponsored by Babcock Australia & New Zealand, was awarded to Tyrell Whap, a familiar face at community events across Thursday Island and Mabuiag – a Navy Cadet, volunteer firefighter, and passionate advocate on national youth advisory forums. Having secured entry into the Australian Defence Force to train as a Medic, Tyrell combines service, faith and leadership with a maturity beyond his years, marking him as a rising leader for the future of the Torres Strait.
The Elder of the Year award, sponsored by CEQ was presented to Jennifer Jill Thompson Wymarra. For more than 30 years, “Jennifer” has given her time voluntarily to Thursday Island’s Community Justice Group, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families through the justice system with unwavering compassion. A trailblazer as the first Aboriginal female Elder applicant in her Gudang Yadhaykenu Sea Claim, she has championed her people’s rights over land, sea and reef for the benefit of generations to come. Her life’s work stands as a model of service, resilience and community leadership.
The Sportsperson of the Year award, sponsored by Ports North was presented to Jimmy O’Cloudy. When funding constraints threatened the future of the Battle of the Islands Touch Carnival, Jimmy O'Cloudy stepped up – setting aside his own Jokers Touch teams' campaign to take on the challenge of reviving the carnival. Through months of advocacy, he secured government funding and local sponsorship, delivering a 2026 carnival that brought together 17 men's and 7 women's teams from across the region. Jimmy's leadership and selflessness ensured this cherished community tradition continued.
Trainee of the Year was awarded to Phillip Takai-Bowie. At just 23, Phillip has completed his apprenticeship with Sea Swift to become a fully qualified Diesel Fitter/Mechanic – a significant achievement built on years of hard work through hands-on training and TAFE study. Known for his reliability, professionalism and positive attitude, Phillip is proof to younger Indigenous men that determination and the right attitude can build a successful career in the trades.
Artist of the Year sponsored by Reel Planning was presented to Louis “Wilky” Fauid a master wood craftsman of the Kulkalgal people, whose meticulous carvings – kulap shakers, dugong figures and warup ornaments – carry forward a craft passed down from his grandfather since the 1990s. A long-standing artist with the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, his work is sought after across the region and beyond, admired equally for its precision and its cultural integrity. Tonight we honour Wilky’s decades of dedication to keeping Torres Strait woodcraft alive and thriving.
Community Event of the Year, sponsored by Coral Sea Concrete, was awarded to the 1936 Maritime Strike 90th Anniversary Commemoration. The award, presented to the Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK) who, in January 2026, delivered the landmark gathering on Waiben honouring the Islander maritime workers whose collective action reshaped labour rights and self-governance across the Torres Strait. From the community march to the Welcome to Country and cultural performances, the event connected generations, brought national recognition to a defining chapter of Torres Strait history, and set a course toward the 2036 centenary.
The Business of the Year Award was presented to Lola Digital. Led by CEO Kantesha Ward and operated entirely by a local female team, Lola Digital has grown from a Thursday Island start-up into a thriving Indigenous-owned digital marketing business. Beyond commercial success, Kantesha has opened doors for young Torres Strait Islander women through workshops and traineeships, proving that business growth and community empowerment can go hand in hand.
The Torres Strait Person of the Year, sponsored by Torres Shire Council, was presented to Joey Laifoo, a proud Kala Lagaw Ya man from Badu Island, Joey Laifoo has carried Torres Strait culture onto the world’s biggest stages — from the Commonwealth Games to the World Expo — where his visual art hangs in the National Gallery of Australia. Through his enterprise Island Stars and his Young Warriors Mentorship Program, Joey has trained seven generations of young cultural performers and dozens of qualified baristas, turning culture into pathways to employment, pride and purpose for Torres Strait youth.
Torres Shire Council also acknowledged the generous support of the 2026 Torres Strait NAIDOC Awards sponsors, including Babcock, CEQ, Ports North, Reel Planning, Coral Sea Concrete and Torres Shire Council, together with Event sponsors TSRA, Babinda Electrics, Ergon Energy, DREADSOUND, Preston Law and TSIMA, whose contributions helped make the evening possible.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement the 2026 Torres Strait NAIDOC King and Queen, with Louis “Wilky” Fauid and Annie Warria receiving the honour from Mayor Seriat and Deputy Mayor Nakata.
Following the presentations guests enjoyed music by the talented 2026 NAIDOC Band - singers Deb Lowah Clark, Mercy Clarke, Daniella Williams, Margaret Gabey, Susie Bon and Kee’ahn accompanied by Dave Clarke, Dimple Bani Jr and Josh Toloui-Wallace - who performed a variety of songs including popular and local songs with everyone joining in for Frangipanni Land.
Closing the evening, Mayor Seriat congratulated all award recipients and nominees, thanking sponsors, Master of Ceremonies Sylvia Tabua, performers, volunteers and Torres Shire Council staff for delivering another memorable celebration of Torres Strait excellence.
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Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat OAM “NAIDOC is about recognising the strength of our people, honouring our history and celebrating those who continue to make our communities stronger every day. Every nominee and every award recipient represent the resilience, leadership, culture and generosity that define the Torres Strait. On this milestone 50th anniversary of NAIDOC, we are proud to celebrate those who inspire future generations to lead with courage, pride and purpose”
Media Contact: CEO Mary Bani mary.bani@torres.qld.gov.au