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Our Story

Gab Titui – Journey of the Stars

The name, Gab Titui, was recommended by the late Mr Ephraim Bani, who was a renowned cultural advisor for the Torres Strait region. Extensive community research ensured that the name would represent both eastern and western language dialects of the Torres Strait. Mr Bani suggested the words 'Gab', interpreted as journey in the eastern island group language, and 'Titui' from the western islands group language meaning stars. The combined name, Gab Titui, is translated as 'Journey of the Stars'.

History

Gab Titui’s establishment in 2004 was the result of over twenty years of interest by the local community and others in the creation of a ‘keeping place’ to house and share historical and cultural material in the Torres Strait.  The cultural centre was envisaged as a place not only to engage with materials from the past, but also as a venue to foster contemporary artistic production and the promotion of the living Ailan Kastom of the Torres Strait.

In 2000, seed funding of $1,000,000 through the Queensland Heritage Trails Network provided a catalyst for the cultural centre’s establishment, together with combined resources from the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Commonwealth and State Governments.  In 2002 a Steering Committee was formed to guide Gab Titui’s development and in April 2004 doors opened to the community for the first time.

In 2007 we were honoured to be granted entry into the Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame.

Governance

Gab Titui is operated by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and guided by its Board of Indigenous members representing 20 communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland.  The Centre falls within the TSRA’s Culture, Art and Heritage Programme, supporting artists from across the region through a range of arts development and cultural maintenance initiatives.  Gab Titui also provides an outlet for the ethical sale and promotion of artists’ work. Click here to find out more about the TSRA Culture, Art and Heritage Programme.

Awards and Nominations

  • 2015 Finalist, Queensland Gallery and Museum Achievement Award, Evolution: Torres Strait Masks
  • 2013 Finalist, Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards
  • 2009 Winner, Queensland Gallery and Museum Achievement Award, Gab Titui Cultural Maintenance Programme (Bipotaim: Stories from the Torres Strait, Zamiyakal: Torres Strait Dance Machines) 
  • 2007 Winner, Queensland Tourism Award, (Indigenous Tourism)
    Inductee, Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame
  • 2006 Winner, Queensland Tourism Award (Indigenous Tourism)
  • 2005 Winner, Queensland Tourism Award (Indigenous Tourism)