- Chair Laurie Nona
- Vice Chair Frank Loban
- Exec. Dir. Manuel Namoa
- Dir. Eva Bowie
- Dir. James Yorkston
- Dir. Charlotte Tamwoy
- Dir. Alick Tipoti
- Dir. Patricia Yusia
Chair Laurie Nona
Chair Laurie Nona-
Laurie has lived on Badu Island all of his life. Laurie is currently employed at the Badu Art Centre as the Art Centre Manager. Laurie has been a member of this board for over 8 years however not including this term.
Laurie is passionate about the way of life and the future of Badu. Laurie feels it’s important and vital that traditions and cultures are upheld for future generations as the youth today are the future of this community.
Laurie is an active member of the board as it’s his commitment to continue to ensure that our identity and way of life is protected and preserved through culture, traditions, language and dance so that future generations can prosper as our forefathers allowed us.
Laurie is the youngest member of the board and he brings youth and a different perspective to the board and he also advocates on behalf of the youths. Laurie listens and learns from the board and during his 8 years this has been learning experience for him and has assisted him to develop as a person. His personal belief is that ‘we must protect and preserve our identity as that makes who we are through our culture, dance, language and traditions’. Laurie is a realist and he won’t sugar coat things and if he doesn’t know something then he doesn’t know. He can sleep at nights knowing that he has done the right thing for his people and by his people.
Laurie enjoys fishing, spearing, camping, island dancing, carving, arts and horse riding. Whilst being on the board the most memorable experience for him is being involved in the Land Determination for Badu Island and the most recent high court ruling determining native title of the seas.
Laurie’s own personal belief is to ‘adapt to overcome anything’ and he also believes that the people of Badu come firstly and everyone else is second but done respectfully so that everyone can live harmoniously.
Laurie can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Vice Chair Frank Loban
Vice Chair Frank Loban-
Frank Loban has recently been appointed as a Director of Mura Badulgal (TSI) Corporation RNTBC for a four (4) year term. Frank is currently employed as the Senior Ranger Supervisor in the Land and Sea Management Unit for Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA).
Frank is very skilled and knowledgeable and is experienced in project management, planning, document creation and finalisation and has effective verbal and written communication skills and is a good listener.
Frank aspires to pursue equity, equality and a better life for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who live on Badu and across the region.
Whilst in this role, Frank will ensure that all Mura Badulgal have access to and are aware of all the issues, complexities and processes that exist with the management of our native title land on Badu Island.
In Frank’s spare time he enjoys going out on the boat as he loves the island cultural lifestyle that we are blessed with in the Straits. Frank also has three beautiful children and an amazing wife (his better half). He enjoys family time with his children and wife and family gatherings.
Frank has a few quotes that he lives by which include:
‘if it wasn’t meant to be, then don’t worry about it’.
‘never ever forget who you are and where you come from’.Frank can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Exec. Dir. Manuel Namoa
Executive Director
Manuel Namoa
Security/Treasurer-
Manuel has lived on Badu Island all of his life and has been an active member of the board for the last three years.
It was Manuel’s intention when he first became a Director, was to ensure that the organisation was operating efficiently and effectively in both administration and the board. Manuel is passionate about his community, maintaining culture and the future of the children.
Manuel believes through economic development this will create jobs and other opportunities but it’s also imperative that the uniqueness of our culture is maintained.
Manuel has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he has gained over his years of employment in education, training, local government and local organisations. A brief highlight of his career:
Manuel first started his career as a fisherman and a community police officer. He then spent 13 years working for Education Queensland as a teacher and teaching principal. He then later moved into local government and spent 4 years as a councillor and 1 year as the Divisional Manager for the Badu Island Council. Manuel then moved into employment and training and was the CDEP Manager with the Council as they were the previous CDEP Provider. Manuel is now employed with Badu Island Foundation as the Business Manager.
In Manuel’s spare time he enjoys fibre-glassing, fishing, fixing motors and general maintenance.
The most memorable moment for Manuel whilst being on the board is developing the organisations functions and witnessing the success and growth of the organisation to how it is operating today both administration and the board.
Manuel has a few quotes that he lives by which include:
‘You will never know what is beyond the horizon, unless your prepared to step off the shore’ – Author Unknown
‘Listen carefully and don’t say I know for you will learn little things you were not aware of’ – Mengui Nomoa (Father).
Manuel can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dir. Eva Bowie
Director
Eva Bowie-
Eva Bowie is 28 years old and was raised on Badu Island. Eva has a range of skills from shop assistant, cray fish factory manager, assistant nursing and working with children as a teacher’s aide. Eva is currently a stay home mother and has just completed her Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
Eva is very proud of her heritage. She is a Gummulgl/Argunilgal through her Athe Youngus and Aka Gongi and she is a descendent of Getawan. Growing up her parents the late William Bowie and Helen Bowie taught her the meaning of hard work which is something she is very thankful and appreciative of those teachings.
Whilst Eva is young she feels she possess many qualities such as leadership. Eva also has effective listening skills and will show kindness and respect to all. She can work well as a team player and she brings a positive energy to this board. She is also not afraid to admit to her weaknesses and is willing to learn and grow from every experience and opportunity that she is given.
Eva feels strongly that as part of this board they will make a difference to people’s attitudes and lives for the better. She feels strongly that as traditional owners it is not just about the land but maintaining and preserving the culture also. Eva believes that it’s imperative that cultural knowledge and understanding are passed onto the children and the youth are our priority. Our culture lives and breathes in all of us and we must work together in unity to draw on this for the sake of our future.
A quote that Eva lives by is:
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more – you are a LEADER!
Eva can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dir. James Yorkston
Director Jamie Yorkston-
In the 1980s Jamie worked in crayfishing and travelled back and forth to Badu for work. Jamie then decided in 1992 to relocate to Badu with his family and has been here ever since. Jamie is a plumber by trade and is currently sub-contracted by the Torres Strait Island Regional Council.
Jamie is a new member to the board and this is his first term and ideally he would like to continue as this has been a significant learning experience for him.
Jamie enjoys learning about culture and also learning from the more experienced board members. This knowledge and experience has benefited Jamie so that he can share with his children and they share with their children.
Jamie is open minded and does not have a one track way of thinking and because of this he does bring a different perspective to the board. Jamie believes that everyone from Badu should be represented fairly, equally and honestly.
Jamie is a family man and in his spare time he enjoys family BBQ’s and also fishing.
Something Jamie has instilled in his children is to learn to be responsible and look after your own things. Being responsible can mean a number of things but to take ownership and care of your belongings.
Jamie can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dir. Charlotte Tamwoy
Director Inner Islands
Charlotte Tamwoy-
Charlotte Tamwoy has lived on Badu Island all of her life. She first attended Badu Primary years from Kindergarten to Grade 7 and then later attended Herberton High completing Year 8 to Year 10. Charlotte then completed her Senior years at the Scots/PGC Warwick. Charlotte has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is currently employed as the Director of Primary Health Care Services - TSI and NPA Hospital and Health Services.
In the mid 90's, native title was more spoken and heard about and Charlotte was one of the founding members of Mura Badulgal when it first became incorporated. The late Mr William Bowie had the leading role as the Chair and Charlotte was one of the first members. There has only ever been two woman on the board which was Geiza Stow and Charlotte. Charlotte has been an active member of the board for a long time and through this journey she has been faced with many challenges particularly as a female board member, but she has not let this discourage her as it only gives her motivation to continue. She did miss out on 1 term and has since been re-elected. Charlotte has witnessed the changes and progression and this has been a very rewarding experience for her and makes her extremely proud as a Badulgal woman.
Charlotte has many strengths and she is passionate about preservation and sustainability of culture as she believes it's imperative that the people maintain what has been handed down by the forefathers. She is particularly interested in guaranteeing that Badulgal people have a say in land matters and working collaboratively with key stakeholders for continuity of services to the community but on the same note, ensuring that culture and practices are respected and to have recognition as rightful keepers and traditional owners of the land.
She believes that it's important to safeguard the cultural knowledge, tradition and practices that have been handed down to our generation by our elders as it’s an oral culture which is spoken and needs to be respected.
Charlotte enjoys listening and spending time with the elders. She believes that they are the key custodians of our traditional knowledge and through their teachings she is able to pass the knowledge onto her children and their children. She believes we need to make appropriate choices when making decisions and acknowledge our elders. We need to consider their views as well as the views of our youth to enable us to have a balance in our society. Charlotte understands the Western knowledge and that we are guided by regulations, policies and procedures but there is also the traditional knowledge that is guided by our traditional practices.
Charlotte enjoys these challenges and advocates on behalf of the Badulgal communities as this will benefit the future.
As the only female on the board, Charlotte brings many skills and attributes. She contributes with her skills in advocacy, communication, assertiveness, understanding, analytical, including the understanding of regulations, acts and policies. She has spent some time away studying so she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working both in Public and Private sector management. One of the outcomes was utilising the section in the previous Community Services Act to transfer land to traditional land owners along with the former Chairman, the Late Mr Jack Ahmat, Richard Bowie and Manuel Namoa.
When she is not working Charlotte enjoys island dancing, fishing, studying, participating and assisting in cultural events and sports. She also enjoys spending time with families, her husband, 7 beautiful children and grandchildren.
The biggest highlight for her whilst being a member was going through the process of getting the DOGIT transferred to the traditional owners. It was a long and drawn out process but after much frustrations and heart ache it was all worth it in the end as she knew they had paved the way for fellow brothers, sisters and children to follow.
'Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again' – Nelson-Mandela
Charlotte can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dir. Alick Tipoti
Director Alick Tipoti-
Name: Alick TIPOTI also known as ZUGUB
Wind: NAYGAY GUB (North East Wind)
Star: ZUGUBAW BAYDHAM (Shark Star Constellation), Totem KOEDAL (Crocodile)
Family Status:
- Head of the bloodline of Ay Wayka of Mabuyag (as stated in Haddon Genealogy table 3A)
- Direct bloodline descendent to Wayka, Watikarum. Moeygidha, Moerg & Waii
- Family bloodline that connects to Mabuyag, Mua & SaibaiAlick has been a director on the board for the last three terms and would like to continue in this role if re-elected. Alick is passionate about making sure that every Badulgal near and far are treated equally and with fairness and are updated on the issues that face the board and the community.
Alick believes that as an individual he brings to the board equity and fairness, deeper analysis of certain issues, cultural aspects, broader networks through social media and most importantly honesty.
Alick has many hobbies and interests that associate with the preservation of Torres Strait Islander culture. Alick is an accomplished visual artist for his work in lino prints and sculptures and he is a performing artist in traditional songs and dance with the dance group – Zugubal Dancers. Alick is also currently working on a few documents soon to be published which include ‘Language Book’ (Kala Lagaw Ya), Drawing Book (19th century drawings collected by Haddon), ‘Genealogies’ – only released as a booklet and ‘Yumpla Cultural Protocols’ just to name a few.
Alick is a self-employed professional artist and is based in Cairns. Alick visits Badu on a regular basis. Alick’s work include creating sculptures and masks from fibreglass and carving traditional patterns on lino blocks which are then printed on paper.
Alick’s favourite quote is ‘Sa Kulay Ngadhapal’ oh really – (prepare yourself).
Alick can be contacted by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dir. Patricia Yusia
Mainland Director PATRICIA Yusia-
Whilst being a Director the biggest highlight for you?
I have only recently joined the Board of Directors as the Mainland representative and I am extremely honoured and privileged to be part of the native title board, I grew up on Badu, which is my family home, however, in my teens I moved to Bamaga, which I now consider my home.
The biggest challenge for you whilst being a Director?
Whilst I cannot comment on the challenges whilst on this role, I have been working in community and developing initiatives and programs with a focus to improve our peoples health for over 26 years to reduce the hardships and disadvantages that we as Indigenous Australians are continuously faced with.
How do you contribute to good governance?
I consider myself a strong cultural woman who follows, respects and demonstrates cultural protocols and customs in particular when communicating and working with internal and external services.
I have also been an active member on numerous boards and I am a strong advocate for community issues. With the experiences that I have gained, I will contribute to the board and I am keen to work in partnerships for the betterment of Badulgal.