Masig

Yorke Island (traditionally known as Masig) is a coral cay situated in the Eastern area of the central island group in the Torres Strait, 2.7km in length and 800m at its widest point.

The people of Yorke Island are skilled navigators with a detailed knowledge of the reefs and have always occupied a central position in the Straits trading networks.

Since the grounding of the local commercial air service by CASA in 2007, access to Masig is by charter plane only. All goods and mail are delivered by a weekly barge service.

Masig has the following facilities:

medical centre staffed by two qualified nurses
campus of Tagai State College
IBIS store
two mini-marts.

Language group

The traditional language of Yorke Islands is a local dialect of Kalaw Lagaw Ya.

Population

250 residents

Facilities

Airport
Regional council office
State school (years pre-prep to year 7)
Health centre with permanent doctor and two nurses
Three grocery stores (IBIS and two Mini-marts)
Reef pilots station
Post Office agency
Centrelink agency
Motel Lowatta Lodge
Council workshop / compound
SES shed
Water plant reservoirs / filtration collection wells
Power station
Sewerage treatment plant
Barge ramp
Pier (small craft and passengers only)

Transportation

Refer to Westwing Airline travel schedule

TSIRC operational hours

Monday to Friday, 9am – 12noon; 1pm - 4pm

Contact: Kimiko Mosby, CDM

Email: Kimiko.Mosby@tsirc.qld.gov.au

Phone: 07 4083 2754

Visitor approval

Visitors Application Form

Accommodation

No council accommodation

Lowatta Lodge

4 x self-contained cabins, 2 x motel rooms

Operated by Kailag Enterprises Ltd

Booking contact: Philippa Bauer, CEO

Email: pbauer.kel@bigpond.com

Phone: 0457 809 007

Shops

IBIS Shop

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5:30pm

Saturday, 9am - 12noon

Kozan Shop

Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am - 10pm

Sunday, 1:30pm - 10pm

Community social groups

Men & Boys Group

Women & Girls Group

Facilitator: Collin Messa

Gudhmud ATSI Health Association

Chair: Gavin Mosby

Kailag Youth Sports Association

Chair: Helen Mosby

Agencies

TSIPSO

Address: Dans Road

Contact: Hon Inspector Ned Mosby, Snr

Phone: 07 4069 4747 / 0447 075 860

Masig Muisau Campus - Tagai College

(prep – Year 6)

Address: Williams Road

Principal: Dan Tonon

Admin: Cynthia Mabo

Phone: 07 4214 8555

Department of Agriculture & Water Resources

Contact: Patrick Nai

Phone: 0476 852 990.

Email: Patrick.Nai@agriculture.gov.au

Fishermen’s Association

Chair: Patrick Nai

Phone: 0499 525 203

Masig Muisau Campus P&C

President: Helen Mosby

Phone: 07 4214 8555

Masigalgal PBC

John Morris

Contact: 0457 419 781

Email: johnmorris2712@gmail.com

SES

Contact: Ned Mosby Snr

Phone: 0447 075 860

Rural Fire

First Officer: Blamey Mabo

Volunteer Marine Rescue

Contact: Francis Nai

Australian Reef Pilots

Phone: 07 4090 0052

Gudhmud Health Centre

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 12noon; 1pm - 4pm

Saturday and Sunday, after hours on call*

Address: Aous Rd

Phone: 07 4069 4296

*After hours contact: Robyn White, RN

Phone: 0428 737 637

Religions

St John the Evangelist Anglican Church

Fr Ned Mosby

United Pentecostal Church

Ps Gabriel Nai

Tefillah Ministry

Ps Francis Nai

Living Waters

Ps Collin Messa

Gazetted holidays

Gazetted holidays for Masig Island Community includes:

3 June - Mabo
24 June - Parish of Ioane Independent Church of TS
1 July - Coming of the Light
7 July - NT Determination
23 August - Anniversary of first Councillors Meeting (in 1937)
16 September - TS Cultural Festival
29 December – St John the Evangelist Church Day

Public access facilities

Community Hall - inside and outside (Fig Tree)
Basketball stadium - closed for upgrade works