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An autonomous, prosperous and sustainable community and council

Arkai (Kubin) - Mua Island

Kubin Community is one of two communities on Mua Island. It is located on the south side of the Island, close to the island’s only airstrip.

Mua Island is the second largest island in the Torres Strait. Similar to surrounding islands, Moa is characterised by mounds of rock and is lightly vegetated and well-watered.

People & history

Kubin is a community largely made up of people who moved from Muralag (Prince of Wales Island) and other nearby Torres Strait Islands in the early 1870s, along with survivors from Hammond Island (Kiriri), who were moved to Poid on the southwestern corner of Moa Island in 1921.

Poid was abandoned after WWII; one group moving back to their Narupai (Horn Island) homeland and the remainder moved east to Kubin under the leadership of Wees Nawia.

Kubin residents retained their links with the Thursday Island, Bamaga and Cowal Creek (Injinoo) communities and with their help, established a number of business enterprises.

In 1978 the housing cooperative, MAW Corporation, was formed. Two years later it was in conflict with the Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs (DAIA) Queensland for building houses at Kubin. DAIA Director, PJ Killoran ruled that only Island councils would build on reserve land and that the rent from housing would go to the DAIA-controlled island fund.

Language group

The language of St Pauls is Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), though many people are bilingual in Kala Lagaw Ya.

Population

150 residents

Facilities

Infrastructure on Kubin Island consists of:

  • Airport
  • Regional council office
  • State school (years pre prep to 7)
  • Health centre with permanent nurse
  • IBIS grocery stores
  • Indigenous Arts Centre
  • Sporting Facilities - outdoor multipurpose courts, sports field
  • Motel - four rooms
  • Refuel facility
  • Council workshop / compound
  • SES shed
  • Water plant reservoirs / filtration collection wells
  • Power station
  • Barge ramp
  • Pier (small craft and passengers only)

Transportation

TSIRC operational hours

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

 

Contact: Danie Savage, Senior MSAO

Email: danie@tsirc.qld.gov.au

Phone: 07 4083 2400

 

Contact: Raina Tomsana, MSAO

Email: raina.tomsana@tsirc.qld.gov.au

Phone: 07 4083 2400

Visitor approval

Visitors Application Form

Refer to contact listing – Elected Councillor/ Divisional Manager/ PBC Chairs

Accommodation

Council accommodation – AKA Lizzie Motel

4 x double rooms, shared kitchen and amenities

Rate: $138 per night

 

Accommodation keys are to be collected and dropped off at the Council Office prior to departure from Kubin Community.

 

All approved visiting guests are required to sign the Council’s visitor book to document the visit for record purposes.

Bookings can be made by emailing the Kubin Office.

Shops

IBIS Shop

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm

Contact: Mr Moses Warria, Manager

Phone: 07 4214 7112

Religions

Seventh Day Adventist Church

Pst Mark Collins

ACC Light House Ministry

Pst James Kaitap

Elijah Tabernacle Ministry

Pst Milford Wama

Gazetted holidays

Gazetted holidays for Warraber Island Community include:

  • 12 Feb - Mualgal Native Title Determination Day
  • 29 June - St Peters Church Day

Public access facilities

IKC, Public Hall

Contact TSIRC Office for more information.