Strait hub model for centre
Traditional owners from the Western Cape Communities Trust have been welcomed to Thursday Island with a tour of the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. The recent visit to the centre provided traditional owners with inspiration for the upcoming development of the Western Cape (Achimbun) Cultural Centre at Weipa. Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) chairman Napau Pedro Stephen said it was a great honour for Gab Titui to be considered a benchmark for cultural facilities in the region.
TRADITIONAL owners from the Western Cape Communities Trust have been welcomed to Thursday Island with a tour of the award-winning Gab Titui Cultural Centre.
The recent visit to the cultural centre provided traditional owners with inspiration for the upcoming development of the Western Cape (Achimbun) Cultural Centre at Weipa.
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) chairman Napau Pedro Stephen said it was a great honour for Gab Titui to be considered a benchmark for cultural facilities in the region.
“Gab Titui’s establishment in 2004 was the result of over 20 years of interest by the local community and others in the creation of a keeping place to house and share historical and cultural material here in the Torres Strait”, he said.
Now 14 years on, the centre acts, not only as a venue to share visiting exhibitions and materials, but has a well-established program of local content creation.
“Cultural institutions such as Gab Titui have a vital place in communities”, Mr Stephen said. “They provide a place for artists and community to come together to celebrate and share our culture, traditions, history and achievements.”
Mr Stephen said the centre’s annual exhibitions had an important part to play in developing artists and educating others about our culture and stories.
“Many works featured in the annual art award find a place among the collections of our national collecting institutions, while Evolution: Torres Strait Masks is currently touring the country,” he said.
He said the TSRA was pleased to share the skills, experiences and knowledge gained with others to assist with cultural preservation and promotion.
“We wish the Western Cape communities all the very best in their endeavours,” he said.