Jeffrey Aniba-Waia, Executive Producer of the KKY Language Project, said he was thrilled to receive an enthusiastic welcome when he visited the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) in February.

Mr Aniba-Waia, who is a custodian and choreographer from Saibai Island, was visiting the community as part of the project’s pre-production process. The KKY Language Project aims to provide digital video language resources to Bamaga, Seisia and Saibai communities, allowing the Saibai language to be preserved in video form and used to teach future generations.

“The Saibai language is a living thing,” explained Mr Aniba-Waia. “Saibai and Torres Strait Islanders need help in reviving their own language. There are few speakers now.”

Mr Aniba-Waia was heartened to see such a positive response from younger members of the community, and said he was working to organise another visit to meet with those who may have missed a chance to meet with him.

BEL is auspicing the funding for the KKY Language Project and providing administrative services so that the community maintains ownership of the production and end resources.

The Kalaw Kawaw Ya (KKY) dialect is spoken mainly in the top western group of islands in Torres Strait and is integral to passing down culture and lessons through stories and songs.

Experienced film and television producer Dr Andrew Belletty is steering the project and has delivered digital media programs to Indigenous communities previously.

Bamaga Enterprises Ltd (BEL) has strengthened its commitment to community safety by partnering with Border Watch, an initiative from the Federal Department of Home Affairs dedicated to safeguarding Australia’s coastal borders.

The partnership means employees of BEL’s businesses will be on the lookout for unusual or suspicious incidents that might suggest illegal immigration has taken place or illegal products are being imported, such as narcotics. Border Watch will provide BEL with awareness training and briefings on how to recognise potentially suspicious behaviour.

“As an Indigenous community-owned company on the tip of the east coast of Australia, we are certainly in a position to notice any suspicious or unusual activity at our borders,” said Chris Foord, BEL’s General Manager, adding the organisation had a history of working closely with law enforcement.

“We already work closely with police because of our liquor licences at the Bamaga Tavern and Cape York Peninsula Lodge and the need for security at our venues. BEL’s Chairperson, Robert Poipoi, is also a member of the Army Reserve and regularly works on patrol on the border with Papua New Guinea.”

BEL encourages the wider Bamaga and NPA community to get involved and do their bit to keep the community safe. The mantra when it comes to identifying suspicious activity is ‘if it doesn’t feel right, flag it’.

Reports can be made to Border Watch either online at www.homeaffairs.gov.au, over the phone or by post or fax. People who make a report can choose to keep their details anonymous.

Clifford Wasiu is a Director and Deputy Chair of the Bamaga Enterprises Ltd (BEL) Board. His clan’s totem is the emu. Mr Wasiu’s wind is the South Jai, while his constellation is the Thigai (Milky Way) and his spiritual being is Melawal.

Mr Wasiu has served on the Board as Director for the last eight years and was one of the founding members of BEL, created to help Indigenous people in necessitous circumstance and to further the economic, social and cultural interests of the Bamaga community and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA). Mr Wasiu says he gains a lot of satisfaction from his work as a Director knowing that BEL is giving back to the community through its Socio Support Policy that provides donations, sponsorships and community infrastructure to Bamaga and NPA communities.

In addition to working with the Board on key decisions, such as where to invest in infrastructure and finalising community grants, Mr Wasiu also works full time with the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) as Parks and Garden Manager. In this role he works closely with his team of 20 staff to care for the parks and gardens of the entire NPA.

Mr Wasiu’s family originally emigrated to Bamaga from the Torres Strait Islands following World War II in 1947. He was born and educated in Bamaga and after graduating, Mr Wasiu took up carpentry. He has left a legacy of houses in and around Bamaga after running his own company, but hung up his tool belt to begin working for the Council.

At BEL, Mr Wasiu says a large part of his role is looking after the cultural aspects for the community. This includes organising local performances for travellers staying at Cape York Peninsula Lodge.

“I’m one of the cultural leaders of the community, and I will look after things like initiations and other cultural events for Bamaga,” says Mr Wasiu.

In his spare time, Mr Wasiu says he enjoys crafting cultural artefacts, such as bows, arrows and drums, which can be used in the traditional dance performances he helps to organise. He says he gains the most satisfaction from his work knowing that BEL is giving back to the community.

“Bamaga is so special, because this is our home. It has changed a lot for over 20 years; I remember when there was just a dirt road running through the middle of town. For the last 10 years, BEL has played a big role in all the change and good work that has taken place, supporting local organisations.”

“I enjoy working with the BEL Board because we work with the people – BEL is owned by the people – so we’re always helping schools, helping people who are unwell, and always reinvesting back into our people.”