Ibuai Jacob has been a director of Bamaga Enterprises Ltd since 2015 and has not only played a role in the establishment and economic development of Bamaga but continues to keep the Saibai culture alive today.

He migrated from Saibai Island to Bamaga in 1947 at the age of one, later moving to Seisia with his family, then worked in pearl farming in Western Australia from 1960 to 1980. Mr Jacob moved back to Bamaga after marrying his wife, Pauline.

“After I moved back in the 1980s, I joined the community police for a few years. I remember at 10pm we would walk into the pub and everyone would have to go home, plus we used to patrol,” Mr Jacob says.

He then took a job at the Island Industries Board (IIB) supermarket, now known as IBIS, as a storeman.

“I worked for IIB for 22 years and during that time they sent me to the old IBIS service station (which was on the present Paint & Panel site) as manager. When it was handed over to Council, I was transferred back to the supermarket and became a Supervisor in the shop. I got to do several retail-training courses on TI and Cairns as part of that.

“In 2008 I resigned then worked at Seisia supermarket for a year or two, before I got a job at the present BP servo with BEL, eventually becoming manager. I worked in that position for a few years before I stepped down for health reasons and became assistant manager. In 2013, I retired.”

Mr Jacob was also appointed a director for Bamaga People Indigenous Corporation (BPIC) in 2017. “BPIC comprises the seven Saibai clan groups that want the Bamaga DOGIT to be administered by the people of Bamaga like it was in the Bamaga Island Council days.”

Ibuai Jacob.

With deep connections to his cultural roots, Mr Jacob has been President of the Guba Markai Cultural Group – formerly known as the Berlibal Dance group – since the 1990s, bringing his seniority and expertise to the group. The troupe performs around the region and was placed first at the Laura Dance Festival in 2017.

Since mid last year, Mr Jacob has also taught the Saibai language at Bamagau Kazil for pre-school and primary-school children. “I do that every day and teach the language, singing and a few dances, which I really enjoy.”

Mr Jacob brought both his business and cultural expertise over to BEL when he was appointed a director in November 2015 and has stayed with the organisation since. “I wanted to help the Bamaga community,” he says.