LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has recorded his official congratulations in Parliament on the success of the community-driven Anglican Parish Hall refurbishment project.
Mr Entsch, along with his wife Yolonde and daughter Mackenzie, will attend the Grand Opening of the Hall this Saturday, 1 November, on Thursday Island.
Last night, Mr Entsch outlined to Parliament the significance of the hall, which has been a local icon on Thursday Island for more than 100 years.
“Many residents recall playing on the wide verandas as children, attending the church fete with stalls spread throughout the grounds, celebrating a family wedding or meeting to enjoy cultural dance,” Mr Entsch explained.
“Unfortunately in recent years the church hall has succumbed to neglect and a significant amount of work was needed.”
During a visit to the Torres Strait in mid-2012 Mr Entsch was approached by Bishop Mabo of the Anglican Church, who outlined his vision to return the hall to its former glory.
Describing it as “a fabulous idea“, Mr Entsch got in touch with a group of key community contacts and the Parish Hall Restoration Committee was formed, of which he is the Patron.
Mr Entsch paid tribute to the committee members and the organisations they represent, including:
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Chris Lemke – Committee Co-Chair (The Grand Hotel)
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Bishop Saibo Mabo Committee Co-Chair (Anglican Diocese of North Queensland)
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Danica McAllister Committee Secretary (Thursday Island Office of Warren Entsch MP)
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Grant Smith Committee Treasurer (Australian Federal Police)
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Elizah Wasaga (My Pathway)
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Steve Heemi (Queensland Police Service)
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Lou Tidswell (National Australia Bank)
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Leigh Lemke (The Grand Hotel)
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Cath Cefai (Queensland Police Service)
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Bruce Ranga (Ibis)
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Pauline Ahwang (DATSIMA)
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Ron and Robyn Humphreys (Rotary)
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Daynee Mareko (JCU)
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Cynthia Bunnell (Customs)
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Jesse Sagaukaz (My Pathway)
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Geoff Ball (Torres Shire Council)
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Leo Akee (UMI Arts)
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Sandie Edwards (Rebel Marine)
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Vonda Moar-Malone (Medicare Local)
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George Martin (Customs)
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Darlene Fell (My Pathway)
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Regina Turner (Tagai TAFE)
“Two years on and we are absolutely amazed at what this committee and the broader community have achieved,” Mr Entsch commented.
“Meeting every Thursday morning at the Grand Hotel, the committee has successfully brought together organisations from around the Torres Strait, giving the project true community ownership.
“They have organised and run numerous sausage sizzles, comedy nights, raffles, chocolate drives, barbecues and other fundraising activities which the community has gladly put their hands in their pockets for.
“The parishioners of the Anglican Diocese have been consistently generous with their donations and other companies such as Sea Swift, CEA Training Opportunities, TAFE and Qantaslink have provided in-kind and financial support.
“The restoration has also provided a fantastic opportunity whereby local My Pathway RJCP participants have been trained up and worked on a project that will have long-lasting community use and significance.“
After 12 months of intensive fundraising, the Parish Hall Restoration Committee reached its fundraising target for stage 1 works, and construction began to remove the asbestos roof and replace it with Colorbond, install new decking and railings on the veranda, new steps, painting throughout, the upgrade of the toilets and new kitchen block.
“When I called past the Parish Hall on a visit last month I was amazed at the transformation,” Mr Entsch said.
Saturday’s grand opening will be a full-day affair including a procession to the hall, traditional acknowledgements, a blessing of the hall, lunch, entertainment from local musicians and island dancing groups, an evening feast, formal acknowledgements and speeches.
Mr Entsch said it will be a fantastic celebration that his family were “very much looking forward to”.
“It makes me very proud to be the member for Leichhardt when I see communities such as this coming together to achieve something that is absolutely outstanding: restoring a very significant piece of Torres Strait history.“
