Gab Titui Cultural Centre

Overview

Gab Titui Cultural Centre

Opened in April 2004 under the management of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), Gab Titui Cultural Centre takes visitors on a journey through time from the past to the present and into the future. Torres Strait Islander guides share their local knowledge through personal tours; creative demonstrations feature authentic crafts still practiced today; and inspirational dance performances capture the Islanders' spiritual connection with their land and sea.

In every facet, the Centre has captured the soul and spirit of the Torres Strait. From being greeted by sculptured pottery mud men originating from the far north-eastern volcanic island of Darnley, to the simple but beautifully carved wongai tools (see note 1 below); visitors are drawn to the contemporary lino art that conveys mythical stories; and the inspiring steel sculptured headdress, the entrance to the Ephraim Bani Gallery.

Gab Titui is establishing itself as a cultural educator by expressing contemporary and traditional connections to art, craft, music and the environment through interpretative displays, historical accounts presented through audio visual mediums, artefacts, demonstrations, workshops and performances, and personal interaction.

The gift shop

The Centre's café and deck provide a relaxing rest stop for travellers to recharge, appreciate the tremendous talent that surrounds them and soak up the hula tunes of Aria Award winning Seaman Dan, the beautiful Island melodies of the Mills Sisters or the many other Torres Strait musicians.

Admission Fees:

• Basic Entry: $6.00 per person, 6 yrs and above (excludes locals)
• Tour Entry: $6.00 per person (less 10% payable to tour operator)

Leadership

World War II aircraft

Input into the Centre's programs, operation and direction comes from each of the region's 20 communities through their representation on the Torres Strait Regional Authority's (TSRA) Board. A Steering Committee was re-established in 2006 to provide advice to the TSRA Board to ensure Gab Titui meets the expectations of the local community and continues to adhere to the traditional and cultural protocols of the local people. The Steering Committee consists of elected community leaders, representatives from religious, artistic and media backgrounds, elders and women.

The late Ephraim Bani was employed as a cultural advisor to ascertain a regional perspective on all aspects of the Centre and its purpose. The Ephraim Bani Gallery was named after “Uncle Ephraim” who was widely respected for his role as cultural advisor. He was a significant contributor to the Centre and sadly passed away during its establishment.

Training and employment

Of the Centre's permanent staff six of the eleven share Torres Strait heritage and directly contribute to Gab Titui's operations and programs, there are three trainees employed under an apprenticeship and all artists are paid for their performances and decorations.

The Certificate III Tourism (Visitor Services) course (see note 2 below) was developed by the TSRA in association with TAFE Queensland for Gab Titui's trainees and offers excellent modules in Customer Service. This training instils a theoretical and practical appreciation of customer service and has been enhanced in the workplace and through management's commitment to staff's ongoing development.

The TSRA and Gab Titui have identified training needs, particularly for the three appointed trainees and have negotiated an internship with KickArts Regional Gallery in Cairns for later this year. This approach aims to motivate the team and define best industry practices being utilised by other cultural institutions with equally high standards. A long-serving staff member was also appointed mentor to the trainees under the Australia Council for the Arts Mentorship Program.

Museum Display

Meeting unique and practical training needs through strategic partnerships with select cultural institutions is returning valuable training benefits to Indigenous staff (e.g. internships and curatorial support) while promoting their abilities. In 2005 a full-time position was offered and accepted by one of Gab Titui's trainees to work under the guidance of the curator for the National Museum of Australia's Indigenous collection in Canberra.

Through vocational training and innovative skills development Gab Titui is building the capacity of Torres Strait people to acquire skills in developing industries such as tourism and sale of traditional art and craft. Tourism mentor programs are now being discussed.

Celebration of culture

Ultimately, Gab Titui Cultural Centre is the culmination of the Torres Strait people's dream. This vision was embraced by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (the Australian Government) and the Queensland Heritage Trails Network. It was developed to respect cultural protocols, traditions and regeneration of culture and presented to also appeal to the tourism industry.

Visitors to the Centre are regularly invited to view demonstrations of traditional practices, attend celebrations, musical and dance performances, all of which remain an inherent part of life today and express a pride and identity that reinforces Islanders' connection to their traditional land and waters.

Interpretative displays are given greater definition and explanation by a Torres Strait Islander guide. While the Gallery conveys an historic perspective of Torres Strait's ancestors and traditions, visiting exhibitions showcase the talents and influences of contemporary Torres Strait.

The Centre also hosts a public program of exhibitions and workshops and has offered: jewellery making, lino-printing, clay sculpting, landscape drawing and painting, and traditional weaving, among others. The profile of local artists has been elevated and their market broadened through exhibition of work and sale of product through the Gift Shop.

Regularly, local artists are invited to represent their work on display at the Centre and convey to visitors their interpretation. The familiar hula and sway of island tunes exude from the Centre immersing all visitors in the rhythm of the Torres Strait and promoting award winning Aria musician Seaman Dan and long-time music legends like the Mills Sisters, as well as many up and coming Indigenous artists.

The café deck is adorned with modern art, produced by Torres Strait's high school students in late 2005 and includes hand carved and painted totem poles and intricate fish sculptures that reflect traditional cultural values.

Challenges

Due to its remote and unique, island based environment, the significance of transportation has influenced Gab Titui's visitor market, as has seasonal monsoon rains. The primary Drive Market is restricted to travelling in the dry months from June to September, therefore it can expect high visitor demand for four months each year, with low non-local activity outside this period. To overcome this opportunities are being pursued to further develop the lucrative cruise market, which is not restricted to the traditional tourist season of June to September.

At this point in time general knowledge of Torres Strait culture and tourism is relatively low however the TSRA in partnership with local, state and national tourism bodies is making significant headway towards strategic promotion for the region. Gab Titui, through the TSRA, has contributed to a Tourism Strategy Plan for the Torres Strait and Cape York, which will identify potential tourism product for development, which has the support of communities.

Due to the small capacity of the business, rapid development is not sustainable. Resources are managed carefully to achieve maximum return on their investment.

Notes

1. A local tree, native to the Torres Strait

2. A formal partnership between TAFE, Queensland Apprenticeship Services, ITEC, TSRA and TRAWQ Community Council.