RACQ Foundation’s ‘blue army’ helped boost food security, taught transport safety and learned about Indigenous culture in the Torres Strait.
It is described as Australia’s hidden pearl and once you arrive in the Torres Strait, or Zenadth Kes as it’s known by Traditional Owners, it’s easy to understand why.
This pristine blue passage and its islands between Australia’s mainland and Papua New Guinea was the setting for the RACQ Foundation’s 24th community assistance project during NAIDOC Week 2024.
Manager Foundation Bridgette Muller said the aim of the 38 volunteers was to enhance the community’s food security through two key projects including restoring the Frog Gully Community Gardens on Thursday Island and building an aquaponics system on Horn Island.
“These projects are important to ensure locals have access to fresh food in the face of growing natural disaster risk, as well as teaching younger generations ways to farm sustainably,” Ms Muller said.
“Our team also digitised and catalogued documents and exhibits from the Torres Strait Heritage Museum to safeguard them against potential future weather events.”
It wasn’t all work for RACQ Foundation volunteers with the team taking part in a cultural awareness session and NAIDOC Week celebrations, teaching them about the rich and ancient culture of Torres Strait Islanders.
Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat with Foundation volunteers Albert Budworth and Will Soutar.
Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat said the partnership with RACQ Foundation led to positive and long-lasting outcomes for the community.
“Our current food supply relies on shipments from the mainland, impacting our health and contributing to the high cost of living in our area,” Cr Seriat said.
“This project sets a good example for other major non-Indigenous corporate organisations to see and adopt what the RACQ Foundation has fostered in our community.”
Throughout NAIDOC Week, RACQ’s Education team also toured schools in the Torres Strait teaching students about road and marine safety.
“We know having a driver’s licence creates opportunities for work and further education," RACQ Education Specialist Janelle Baker said.
"That’s why it’s important for us to reach all Queenslanders and travel to far corners of the State.”
"Thank you to the RACQ Foundation for bringing that blue army," Mrs Yorkston said.
"We've been able to see the community gardens transform before our eyes and we will always remember the input and impact the volunteers have had on our community."
Ms Muller said the RACQ Foundation was proud to partner with the Torres Shire Council to help deliver meaningful outcomes for their island communities.
“We came as strangers, and we are leaving as friends," she said.
"It’s very humbling.”
Since the RACQ Foundation’s inception in 2011, it has distributed more than $14 million to assist more than 400 Queensland community groups.
Top photo: RACQ Foundation volunteers Mike Cusi and Jake Godfrey take a break. Photos Jake Ryan.