there are a few places on the earth as in chanting is this going to be uncomfortable torres strait islands rising like a series of stepping stones from the shallow arid foolish see. some of the tiny coal as homes others remnants of a land bridge that once joined a strange way to publish submerged at the end of the last ice age place there were $274.00 islands in total but only 21 are inhabited baeza home to some foreign hog 1000 people. the majority of islanders are indigenous the migrants of european and asian origin have joined and . everyone who lives here faces the challenge of staying connect. it across these beautiful but remote and widely scattered island. this is the story of how some of these people live every day lives. this day island affectionately known as t r i is the region's administrators. all of the far flung island area. in. the local radio station keeps islanders up to date. mornings around listeners were. from in the air the beautiful. that way today when it's beautiful it is hard so one looks like someone has come around so we're going to be pretty warm today temperature hitting when the bear 30 today so if you're heading out in a bad make sure you do cover up your radio fill in w. is something of an institution 90 i. just for the families tuning in there on side with the radio broadcasts 24 hours a day in multiple languages and is the only station that reaches the entire torah straits region sylvia tabular is the acting operations manager but one of her broadcasters phoned in sick so she's at the mike today great to have you good company here on radio. bus suppose the beauty about community radio station there it's more personal you get more personal with your listeners because everybody knows everybody around here one. lunchtime and that is the point by one metre i think we've survived for like 3 years because of the important role that we play especially getting information out to the community and then we have cultural events that that's happening. you know in the different communities and it's really a good way to inform a lot of the elders especially because i'm on facebook. there's a lot of stories to be told and i believe it's very important to get the young people involved so that they can keep telling those stories. a crucial part of the program the traffic report strong tidal currents mean frequent schedule at dates with the supply ships that are the island's lifeline sheikh believe me. you will need to get right on by when the radio does its level best to keep listeners informed of upcoming events as does the local paper aaron smith prime ensure. that source news is astride is most notably newspaper. sounds pretty glamorous but i'm also a journalist here it's the photographer and the type of war so it's a bit of a one man show and. we only print about 2 and a half 1000 copies of work stuck on a klein was mccain's out so on and then a few bandos are stuck on the ballots and you deliver a dozen outlets here and say oh. so our series is a bit of an old fashioned type and we don't have any online presence so really the only way people can get information say that by the radio and tours news. is i never heard of it so i was struck really before i got this job and i thought well it's pretty well 'd out. so the 1st one of the hell would last 2 years and now which i work well not going to take 10. it's not that it's challenges you know right living it's so long way to the nearest tree also and being a white girl editing a tactile is newspaper it gives you a unique insight to be a minority in your own country. parents are you some are on staff rights and what makes the radius taken its audience is the social pages it's like a sports pages you know that's much more important it's always a little story it's a community story is it really really really think i. can . as a young man. you know how to make a coffee out or what's the guy's like you know is graham was having an affair so when i saw the prices it gets under your skin and for another the price that's been really humbling experience i guess living here becoming part of the fabric of the community because you're like come back. to us. because she threads that strengthen the fabric of the community our family and traditional culture with regular performances of time honored songs and dances providing everyone with a sense of continuity and belonging. to. the. company. and. the coconut palm present on every inhabited island in the region is a metaphor here for family night. this stability and integrity have ancestral roots provide an anchor in time and place. them in the trunk represents tradition and the extended family or leaves on display symbolize island culture and . every song and every tongue is a celebration of the i live. shared identity an expression of where they see themselves in the world in the past the present and future. but there is little work to be had on the islands many islanders move to the mainland often to ken's. going out. who i believe in. the things. of course. has been going on. these days world renowned torres strait and an artist can find they also listen keynes but his thoughts are never far from his church on arab donley the tiny island on which he was born. i learned really through the church. strong belief wonder you live i think about it. as much as can would love to be with family and old friends on all saints' day his health prevents him from traveling. so he's come up with a unique solution to be there if not in person then in spirit. he will send an artwork of his own as a gift to the church hammerhead shark trapped in a giant clam shell shock is his totem animal. racial group me movie i'm going to talk to the country and come up with different. ok. ken talks to his sculptures as he works reinforcing his relationship to them to the stories they seek to tell they're not simply works by can find day they represent him absolutely finishing the piece will be a great pleasure getting it to the church on time potentially a logistical nightmare. michael i'm sure. they do. the work is knowledge and fragile it's destination incredibly remote. the only way it can get to eric donnelly a whopping 845 kilometers from keynes is via a series of scheduled cargo vessels that service northern australia. to say the torres strait islanders depend on the sea swift services is nothing short of an understatement the freight company is truly a lifeline customizing its operations to suit each community's needs a few road based because building materials fresh fruit frozen meat and dry goods. transports these and other essentials to most of the outer islands once over. its own straightforward yet often it's anything but. lucky mcdermott has worked as a deck hand for sea smith for 6 months and is currently assigned to the m.v. titan on a full week on 4 weeks of fry taishan. obviously we've got a lot to feed on to a small bit. it's really important we be clever with where we put how it's autumn's on the deck you know watch things go on the bottom in the water we construct them up. control knowledge. in the direction that we stay in the role of the ocean pretty bad so we are going down to people with good sight because we've got. trucks everything so you don't have any right rolling around. up here in the tourist rights we govern. when the tods rot we are. get in there but the window is really minimal we've got to get in there almost everything really quickly and get the boat ready to go away if within a couple of hours before the top drops if that top drops you can be stuck there for weeks. the time it takes to load or unload the time it's in depends entirely on the amount of cargo and the time and more often than not that recline is a race against time. this ship's captain matt smith actually supervises the precision performance then lay of the forklift. and no worries god. about the bad stuff putting some of the pain out sort of coming up with everybody. yet so when we go out to get out at all it's easier to have it all it's like this instead of coming back in time and. so it can sort it out before we get to the all . right it's a bit of a jigsaw or a load there's lots of sort of machine autumn's on board as well as you know more pallets and bits and pieces so the boys have done a really good job. matt smith is happy at this rate they will be able to embark on the return journey the full time. span for the outer islands depart from the spectacular t.-i harbor. it's always relatively busy here with all kinds of craft zipping through the channel. denise's were tinnies outnumber cars in the region and ferries are the main form of public transportation. fishing and hunting are integral to the way of life here many outer island is to utilize stone ball fish traps that were built by their ancestors many centuries ago to catch fish that have drifted in shore on the time. barry powell wonders the shallows around area of donnelly with his traditional full pronged spear. if you strip was built way before i was born. before my parents were. ancestors. didn't misuse it. so. what repeat of. its tribe. maintaining the traps is a responsibility barry sold us on behalf of his family with pride ensuring the future sustenance of his people while reaffirming his connection to the past. if you see rocks. and that's how people keep their preps maintained. this no denying the di impact climate change will have in this region. some islands such as bounty you have sea walls to protect the low lying areas but other smaller asshole's may disappear entirely as ocean levels rise in time and we need a system in which so many islanders depend culturally and economically is already under pressure strict quotas are an attempt to prevent overfishing the commercial season for fishing spiny lobster known here as crayfish has grown shorter and shorter. we only work like 5 months now when we are going away from other 5 people one side or. the. journey on it and his friends on party island try not to get teachers heartened about the restrictions controlling their catch. the 250 ton closest sounds generous but it's shared by everyone holding a license in the reach of. those with big rigs and plenty of horse power and those working off the back of the dinghy. embracing. being. one driving them one by one with the driveway is very important. and you want to be looking out for sharks we want to get a response we're going to play or die well are you going to go on. a fish dive his way past when plate suits to confuse the sharks. this standard black neoprene suits can make humans look like foraging seals the prey of choice for hungry tiger sharks and great whites. to go but we've got no other way to make money so we're going to go out. with the commercial season johnny ahmed and his friends are restricted in the number of crayfish they can take and the methods they use to catch them. as dangerous as they drop it is the men enjoy. it's a nice way to feed the family only taking what you need from the sea. in the pasture restaurants where only ever interested in serving time is the tail of the crayfish but now they prefer the delicacy larvae. we don't know what partner will bring all our problems we have warrants on. this can be speedy but crayfish are court by hand. if. they're allowed what they are now passed around now on to. the founder war or more up among the cronies picking and living or lauer. the whole of the torres strait region was once famous for its mother of pearl and pole fishing employing more than a 1000 local and japanese divers who risked and often lost their lives at sea. cemeteries throughout the island still celebrate the exploits and bravery of the forebears who sought to provide for their families in this way. the great depression and 2 world wars brought the industry to its knees but this accessible development of culture poles led to a lucrative if short lived revival. today just one firm remains taking advantage of the calm warm waters around to deliver friday island a half hour boat ride from t. i. passed the top of me himself the former die that is the sole custody end of this time on a torres strait tradition keeping his business viable despite his advancing years. i can hear the 1973 i was only 18 years old. in 1800 current company and i was called on the far side to call them. so the seeds of my 45 beans could no. bring her back in the world. according to the show we can get you over the phone. to talk to me is curling pontins a crafted from locally sourced bamboo so beams are easily replaced when they crack open the heat the 1000 also caters that people his seeded post shells and placed also made by hand. for tied up by stainless steel why it's. not many people can do so i do everything this way back my own and. maybe i will have to do that. self-reliance is clearly a trait that's widespread throughout the region sometimes it's all the more imperative in a business way use the last of your kind. back pack is on working visas help with menial tools such as cleaning the frames leaving talk to me to seat and maintain his precious poles as they grow. tommy's self-sufficiency defines the way he runs his business and his everyday life but we have a big property like 32.5 hectares. that we have in the backyard we have some growing up in principle my horses walk on the roof. cards is my fault this is my love is either one or even just the one they have. cyclons very occasionally play havoc with tar come east harvest pass an even greater and increasingly alarming threat to his success is temperature if the water gets too hot his shells will die. water temperature up here is the only 24 that mean about it all but the big misuse of water temperature i think i have a bit much for serious. it was a good day for the fishermen of body island. with an old satellite dish for a barbecue and the finest seen from it in the world on the grill it simply doesn't get any votes in the us. your words you are never work again alive. good morning to our listeners chilling in there. with the look in bit cloudy with a little bit windy. while many tourists strait islanders commute to work each day by boat mid life bullet dawson's job requires a vehicle with a little more speed. pre and post nasal clinics are conducted in situ on the outer islands but when it comes time for women to give birth they must fly to t. i to the only hospital in the region. what a hurry and the tar start has its unique challenges and obviously location is the only major of this one. long distances that we can't travel by road you know it's all by ear. it's another stifling hot day on. so poorly elects to counsel her clients in the shade of a big mag tree. we expected to have this kind of experience and you're going to go home as soon as you can because i know you want to but now we're going to get to infant time with one in out on an airplane just changed my mind because i've got a qualification as a midwife how weaver my work is a sister relationship but what i personally love about being out here is the fulfillment of what feels like my people he's a big start on boy i'm to my he look at his beautiful white boy. who racks up tens of thousands of miles every year travelling from t.-i hospital to the outer islands but other health related services can be delivered on line. st paul's is on the remote outer i hadn't of moma today a little kenny my mind has come to the local health clinic with it to thank. dr rob right i was going to carry my been complaining it's got sore to. work the back 7576 it's. genuine open wide open there's no regular dentist on mo island do that well but the part. that need to acknowledge jean means doc to tell me who stay. at the clinic on t. i can examine his young patient from afar using an intra oral camera so that's actually his is at all to exhibit the come through the gum so. you can let his parents know that that's not a real big issue i think personally that is far better than just having a fine call because you can actually see them of this and talk women all he had was some issues with history for up things are all completely normal and he can communicate that to his mother. just reassure that there's nothing wrong. with the all clear and achieve on him and to relieve the pain kenny my my head's to school just in time for the singing of the torres strait and sam. was. was. his dream was to learn how to help with family that and i strain from and had a healthy family. is community and the region has its own school but only for children in primary grades once they graduate high school they have no choice but to leave home so a rock solid connection to culture is imperative if islanders are to retain their sense of identity and place once they head off to boarding school. this is something policeman worley chris knows only too well he grew up in st paul's and attended the community school here now he returns to his old stomping ground every week to share his knowledge of and deep respect for tradition with the next generation. remember painting this back in the days of turning years ago. in a class where seated so on the wall. when it gives when running is no way we get these ones for more. complicated the shots the young ones that go for months yeah the young should be in the middle of this one. what else do we use it as then you cut it there's like downstream inside. today while he is teaching his students how to weave the young shoots of a coconut palm into skirts to go over their downs costumes between feet. tailor made for an afternoon performance for parents and elders. a practice of properly when it properly so that as they grow they know how good it is to be like a torch and their identity so that they can be proud proud of who they are. going to be fought out in a way that imo. the traditional ways tell us we are. really inspired me to keep going and passing on to the next generation of kids. there's a user our main tradition for us opera he speaks to us about and didn't sing about tarik just sing about. travelling in a boat or plane. so you might like to dance but. the older girls armed with wooden knives a form of routine that on is their traditional role as gardening. it's about them cleaning up the garden picking up the fruits and heard one of the. men going to. pick a. game and. the boys proudly rian at their full father's legendary prowess as head hunters. back in the days your man will go to war. and fight up your offer to score and bring the back of your cold feet and. that'll shoulder. moreas and here's the main. the main hunter and for the you know. the. one he is actively seeking to fulfill a leadership role in st paul's following in his own father's footsteps and has really inspired me to be a leader for the common community one way he knows what people want to simulate before the people. i love being a quarter are not i love my identity. our love for my family what i do for my people my community and the younger generation. another huge influence on contemporary life in the torres strait is religion. christianity came to the region by arab dandy island in 871 and i'm interested in the locals referred to as the coming of the light. you. want to louis a born and baptized heir of down the island is the church warden here. he is the grandson of the reed. and 1st ordained priest joseph who appears in the stained glass window as a babe in arms. today walter and by members of his congregation are busy preparing their church for all saints day. and major restoration including the removal of asbestos from the building forced the closure of the church for 6 years but on the 1st of november it will throw open its doors to celebrate the popular christian festival. i will look at the church to you. knowing. the history of the church in the community. even those of the church is committed always believe this is the mother and you will see everyone will come to worship it will be a very emotional thing especially the language the congregation will be in t. . with preparations inside the church under control mostly returns to his regular day keeping the islanders and his region up to date and. it. will take another try to keep going after one hour 6 point one this is radio $44.00 salute taking that sort of. he's been in the community radio game for 25 of the networks 330. 0 used to be a debate at one time you know we're back and they taught myself how to play the music we grew up like in the sixty's where i grew up with the beatles and the rolling stone fats domino and all those those guys. love music if you do get the balance right on the radio you can get everyone dancing on the floor. his passion may be rock n roll but right now well to me it's priming his audience for the imminent reopening of his church where we often release is also saints church mamma it's. back on thursday on and pull it and it's doing the rounds with. the head of the hospital's maternity ward baby. how did you kyra. to fly. the mite triac all down the chain to you know she was born and bred taurus strike on there and what about here we want you really be able to develop the strong relations that ships that we have i don't like that very much i think that was obviously the right way and right now. i think we're providing 1st time parenting indication that's kind of built from a liar of trust from a foundation of traffic. developing a trusting relationship with here is probably the most important we're she begins to trust herself more than she even trust herself before diane 17 and from body island had a little baby girl in the early hours of the morning. come gradually may she. had your mutual funds and let it fall out. over the next morning diane's husband couldn't get time off work to be with his wife on t i while she waited for the birth of their baby so i haven't seen my husband in 4 weeks the longest that we've been potus for days so mom just kept telling me that the whole time you know you just think about it in the end you have a beautiful little girl but i'm so grateful that you stayed strong for the both of us and. what a beautiful little granddaughter. and i'm very proud that i was. you know i'm very excited to take you back to. how exciting we came here is to now i'm going back it's 3. diane has been dreaming of a homecoming for weeks and finally that day has dawned. new dads turning is waiting anxiously by the. and street. where poor baby girl. i don't. think. she's going the. nation is dicing on the cake my nose it just stared and beautiful and now i just sit there i'm staring at him briefly and. once tony and diane have had their moment to reconnect when it's time for the baby to meet her and other grandmother. according to tradition the little girl is also a member of all the families in tory's straight. tony and i and have soon found a new crew for us parents. to let me know it looks like i'm fine but it took me a while to get like we're going to be. back on the open ocean the crew on the m.v. tyson on nearing the end of the road for weeks separation from family captain matt smith this counting down the days and eager to see his kids but lucky that jackie is staying on board filling in for a cold with her who's called in sick. and this is the stuff i could stop and said that's right i'm a so let's find out which is given my. new socks it's going to go on wife. and son clark will be jerky and it's like from a party mix. oh oh yeah we go on for another 2 weeks. the daily deities of ships life help keep lucky and the rest of the crew from missing home while they're at sea. trying to function as a family they share the bond like it's a regular job. on duty or 10 minutes. if it's also in the kitchen and is rocking anything on the surface slaw it's i remember one of my feet up by a player like that and this trauma like it all down his head to. some of the other fellows small families and you can see it like you know when i duck out for a quick price talk on the misses and connected so you could call and imagine how it was feel you know specially at the end of the 4th way could spain i do all i want to do is god. push the trip out to every donley has been smooth sailing all the way. arriving a head of schedule just at daybreak on the 31st of october. as soon as the empty titan talks like he and his crew mates begin understood english it. can find a special gift the fragile sculpture is delivered to the church. church wooden bowl to louis and his coble wooden deck pilot carefully and red skull to from 10 fine day. the precious will be placed on display in the chance. tree to ken's wishes he can sit with his congregation inspiring. news. there is an intense sense of family and community here in this humble old church held together with moves him made from limestone and rocks collected from the ensuring. it was built by the grandfathers and great grandfathers of the elders who now filled the building. they sing the old hymns they full fathers once helped missionaries translate to their mother tongue. was the. was the the was brown the full god review facts for goes through have started to refurbish this crates full sacred for you to complete this respirator work. may. always be a place for welcome. america. may be a beauty of this flower you've. spotted but. it was the. illusions are strong today as the islanders reflect on the deep connections they share not only to god and their church but to their ancestors and each other. they reaffirm barns that have endured for centuries and friendships that will last a lifetime. they pay their respects to absent family some of him have returned to the fold via modern technology follow family i love your very much i could see you and you could see me here with me my lovely i love you do all. there. 7 was. money go. in. contemporary life on the torres strait islands is anything but straightforward full of challenges brought by isolation in the vast wilderness of the ira for the rest see. but whatever the future holds for these proud resilient people take greater strength lies in remaining state falsely move to the past and kid in the safe harbor of culture and family. to the point of strong opinions clear positions of international perspective such as the arctic ice cap is melting away making it easier to exploit the region's huge reserves of natural resoled 63 major powers the us china and russia vying for the biggest possible sham of the cake sour explosive is their rivalry. to the point that. even the books on t.w. . more than a 1000 years ago europe witnesses a huge construction boom. christianity from established itself. both religious and secular leaders or eager to display their power. interests begins. who can create the tallest biggest and most beautiful structures. stonemason builders and markets compete with each other. this is how massive churches are created. the book. contest of the cathedrals. the 12th on d w. good looking at a book. this is the news live from berlin tempers flare at a meeting between the united states and china the 2 sides clash at their 1st talks since president joe biden took office the u.s. calls beijing a threats to global stability and china accuses the u.s. for sick also coming up. germany resumes the use of astra zeneca vaccine but health officials warn it's too late to stop a 3rd wave of infections with cases already rising despite a lock down to speak to a doctor about.