Darnley Island (Queensland)

Darnley Island (Erub Island) is an island formed by volcanic action and situated in the eastern section of the Torres Strait, near the Great Barrier Reef and just south of the Bligh entrance. It is part of Queensland, a constituent State of the Commonwealth of Australia.

This island is one of the Torres Strait Islands. Approximately 400 people live on Darnley Island. There are two stores, one school and a health centre. Accommodation is available through Norah's Guest House and the council run 'five star' donga's.

The effective community language is Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), though many people still speak Meriam Mir, the traditional language.

History

Christianity was first introduced to Darnley and the Torres Strait region by the London Missionary Society on 1 July 1871.

Before this, pearlers and beche-de-mer gatherers visited the island. Over many years, these industries attracted an influx of seamen from the Pacific Islands, the Philippines and Malaya, many of whom married local women and settled on the island.

Early in the twentieth century, the Queensland Government started installing various facilities such as a school, medical aid, post office and an Island Industries Board store.

Darnley people have been at the forefront of the movement for adequate recognition of Torres Strait Islanders' rights, with George Mye among the most prominent advocates of Islander interests from the 1960s to the 90s and Carlemo Wacando among the first to challenge the legal notion of terra nullius.

See also

Queensland portal

• Darnley Island Airport
• List of islands of Australia

External links

• Mye on behalf of the Erubam Le v State of Queensland (2004) FCA 1573 (8 December 2004)

Coordinates: 9°35′13″S 143°46′16″E / 9.587°S 143.771°E / -9.587; 143.771