What courageous person inspires you and why?┃Peter Branjerdporn
Reflections
“I admire Yessie’s courageous choice to stay on Masig with his young family even though it would be easier and more comfortable on the mainland. He told me that it is essential to stay on the island because if he leaves, ‘It’s over’. He said that they need their island to keep their culture alive,” says the Justice Unit’s Peter Branjerdporn
Story Timeline
ACSQ values: Courage
Along with Archbishop Jeremy, Josie Greaves and Aunty Dr Rose Elu I visited low-lying islands in the Torres Strait last year to witness the impacts of climate inaction. When we landed on the island of Masig, Yessie Mosby greeted us at the airstrip. I knew who he was — that he was the spokesperson for the Torres Strait 8, who made international headlines in 2022 when the United Nations Human Rights Committee found that the Australian Government is violating its human rights obligations to Torres Strait Islander peoples by failing to act on climate change.
As we met, Yessie candidly asked me why we were visiting, what we wanted to achieve and what we could offer his people. I explained that we were there to learn and listen, to share his message and to take footage and images if this helped. We had less than 24 hours on Masig, so Yessie’s frankness wasn’t just refreshing — it was necessary.
I admire Yessie’s courageous choice to stay on Masig with his young family even though it would be easier and more comfortable on the mainland. He told me that it is essential to stay on the island because if he leaves, “It’s over”. He said that they need their island to keep their culture alive.
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves, Councillor Ted Mosby, Peter Branjerdporn and Yessie Mosby saying farewell after discussing the impacts of climate inaction on the low-lying Torres Strait Island of Masig in May 2024
As Yessie advocates for low-lying islands, he is advocating for the lives and cultures of all peoples because we are all connected and the need for climate action impacts everyone. Yessie understands the connectedness of everyone and everything in Creation. For example, Yessie worries about birds like the birubiru, or rainbow bird, which needs to rest, drink and eat on Torres Strait Islands when it migrates from mainland Australia to Papua New Guinea.
Christians are called to be courageous, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1.7).” Courage in our actions and words and self-discipline in what we consume are needed to reverse damage to the climate.
So this year I am supporting Yessie and Archbishop Jeremy’s “Say ‘Yes’ to Yessie” invitation to Prime Minister Albanese — to walk with them around Masig to witness the impacts of climate inaction. I want more people to get behind this invitation and understand how important it is to Yessie and the Archbishop. I want people to fall in love with the Torres Strait Islands — we only care about saving something if we love it. If you want to support this invitation, please email me at contact@doingjustice.org.au.
Editor’s note: NAIDOC Week will be celebrated from Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July in 2025. The NAIDOC Week theme this year is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”. Visit the NAIDOC Week website for more information and for educational resources, a “Supporting NAIDOC Toolkit” and posters, as well as to find out what events are happening and how to register your event.
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