Torres Strait Region

The Torres Strait is one of the smallest but most strategically important regions of the Australian coastline. It is the only part of Australia that shares a border with a neighbouring country, with Saibai Island only 3.73 kilometres from the Papua New Guinea mainland at its northern most point.  We are situated only 73.5km from Indonesia at its north-western most edge.  Murray Island in the Torres Strait was the first place in Australia where Native title was recognised through the historic High Court decision on Mer Island in 1992.  Special traditional Trade routes in the Torres Strait and Islanders within the villages along the PNG southern coastline continue to conduct traditional trade and cross border visits.

The traditional people of Torres Strait are of Melanesian origin and speak two distinct languages. On  July 1 each year, the ‘Coming of the Light’ is a holiday celebrated by the Torres Strait Islanders recognising the arrival of the London Missionary society to Darnley Island in 1871.

In the Eastern Islands (Erub, Mer and Ugar) the traditional language is Meriam Mer while the Western and Central Island groups speak either Kala Lagaw Ya or Kala Kawa Ya, which are the dialects of the same language. The Northern Peninsula area (NPA) also falls under the region and is locate at the northern most tip of Cape York Peninsula.  NPA is made up of of two predominantly islander communities and three aboriginal communities. The region has 3 registered churches and 13 unregistered churches. We have 8 Ordained Ministers (7 males/1 female)  9 Probationary ministers ( 3 males/ 6 females ) Specialised Ministers Certificate ( 2 ). Total credentialed ministers in our region is 19.


Titom Tamwoy
Titom Tamwoy
Regional Leader

(07) 4069 3828
Michelle Tamwoy
Regional Administrative Officer

(07) 4069 3828

Torres Strait Upcoming Events

31 Dec - 2 Jan 2023
TSI Regional Conference
10am - 7pm
Speaker: Ps Titom Tamwoy
Kubin Community (Moa Island)
6 Jan - 10 March 2023
ACC Young Adults - Mackay Mission
Speaker: Kane Thugate
North Peninsula Area
6 - 10 April 2023
Coloured Sands Conference
St Pauls Moa Island
18 - 20 April 2023
ACC National Conference 2023 'OUTPOURING'
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
2684-2690 Gold Coast Highway BROADBEACH, QLD 4218
25 - 28 May 2023
Pentecost Conference
10am- 7pm
Speaker: Willy Dumas
Kubin Community (Moa Island)
26 June - 3 July 2023
ACC Mackay Christian Mission
Murray Island, Horn Island, Thursday Island, Sue Island
9 - 12 October 2023
ACC QLD State Conference 2023 'BETTER TOGETHER'
Sunshine Coast
29 November 2023
Scripture Union Mission
Torres Strait & Northern Peninsula Area
11 December 2023
Teen Challenge Mission
Speaker: Julie / Dave
Northern Peninsula Area