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Mer (Murray Island)

Mer (also known as Murray Island) is the most eastern island in the Torres Strait, 800km north of Cairns. Mer, Erub and Ugar islands are known as the Murray Group of islands.

Traditional Owners: There are eight Mer (Meriam) tribes:  Komet, Zagareb, Meuram, Magaram, Geuram, Peibre, Meriam-Samsep, Piadram, and Dauer Meriam.

Languages: The people of Murray Island speak Torres Strait Creole, Meriam and English.

Population (ABS 2016 Census): 450

For more information, see:

 

Stories

News & Announcements

What is Mabo Day?

29 May 2024
Every year on 3 June we celebrate Mabo Day, which commemorates the life of Eddie Koiko Mabo and marks the anniversary of the historic 1992 Mabo decision.
 
Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander man who challenged the claim that his family’s traditional land was owned by the Crown. The High Court’s decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) overturned that claim and set a precedent in Australian law for the recognition of Indigenous custodianship over their traditional land. 
 
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30th Anniversary of Mabo Day

3 Jun 2022
Eddie Mabo
Mabo Day is a momentous day in Australia’s history. Read some of the stories we’ve published over the years about the High Court decision, those involved and what it meant for Indigenous Australians.
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Census data helps cultural groups to keep language and culture alive

19 Jul 2021
Group of people ranging from elderly to young children sit on the ground or seats or stand in front of a tree. On the tree is a blue, white and green flag. In the background are more trees, a car, a house and more people.
The Mer Island cultural group Eip Karem Beizam is using Census data to identify a need to increase the number of those speaking Meriam Mer in the community and addressing this need through cultural programs and workshops.
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Meriam community and the TSRA collaborate to help preserve Meriam language and cultural knowledge

11 Sep 2020
Group of people, some sitting and others standing on grass in front of a building. They are dressed in colourful clothing. In the background are trees.
Meriam Traditional Owners from Mer (Murray Island) have partnered with the TSRA’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) team to develop Meriam Areriba Tonar, a seasonal calendar poster.
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Eddie Mabo, the man behind Mabo Day

2 Jun 2020
Eddie Mabo
On 3 June, Australians commemorate Mabo Day, marking the anniversary of the historic Mabo decision.
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$1.2 million refurbishment for Mer Guesthouse will support local jobs and training opportunities

18 Oct 2019
Group of Indigenous adults with most dressed in workwear, stand on bare soil next to a building. In the foreground is a pile construction apparatus and in the background is thick green vegetation.
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has committed more than $1.2 million to the Mer Guesthouse upgrade project on Mer Island through its Economic Development Programme.
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Regional Office

Townsville ICC

North Queensland

News, stories and information from the Gulf and North Queensland

235 Stanley Steet
Townsville QLD 4810
PO Box 1293
Townsville QLD 4810
Phone: 
07 4722 5800
Toll-free number: 
1800 079 098

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