In a powerful show of community collaboration, Torres Health and the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) came together last week at Island Stars Café for a morning of connection, resource sharing and cultural purpose.
The local Waiben-based teams met for coffee with a purpose, deepening ties across organisations, committed to supporting Torres Strait Islander families through culturally informed health, wellbeing and family services.
With a strong focus on stakeholder engagement and holistic care, the meeting created space for open conversations, practical insights and a shared vision for better outcomes in the region.
The intent was clear: to understand services and strengthen pathways for referral, support and advocacy through mutual understanding and respect.
Torres Health Chief Executive Officer Renee Williams said the meeting brought the organisations closer and was another step toward more community-led health outcomes.
“By sharing what we do and why we do it, we empower each other to serve our communities better,” Ms Williams said.
“When services are informed and aligned, families benefit, and that starts with conversations like these.”
Commissioner C’Zarke Maza congratulated his Waiben-based team for taking the initiative to connect with the community-controlled health organisation, recognising the importance of stakeholder collaboration in community.
“We appreciate Torres Health taking the time to connect with us to exchange information and strengthen our relationship,”
“Our Cultural Support Officers are out there across Queensland, working with Torres Strait Islander families to support Cultural Recognition Order applications,” Mr Maza said.
“That work is only strengthened when we have the support and advocacy of organisations like Torres Health,”
“Opening communication lines like this is essential to better outcomes for Yumi people,” Mr Maza said.
With a strong relationship, information can now flow between these two major services who support families across the Torres Strait.