Darnley Island (Queensland)

{{Merge to|Erub Island, Queensland|date=March 2026}} {{Short description|Island in Queensland, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox islands | name = Darnley Island | native_name = Erub | sobriquet =  | image_name = Darnley Island (Landsat).png | image_size = 220px | image_caption = A satellite image of Darnley Island | image_alt = | map_image = TorresStraitIslandsMap.png | map_alt = | map_size = 220px | map_caption = A map of the Torres Strait Islands showing '''Erub''' in the north-eastern waters of Torres Strait | location = Torres Strait | coordinates = {{coord|9.587|S|143.771|E|type:isle_region:AU-QLD|display=inline}} | archipelago = Torres Strait Islands | total_islands = 1 | major_islands = | area_km2 =  | area_footnotes = | rank = | length_km =  | length_footnotes = | width_km =  | width_footnotes = | coastline_km =  | coastline_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_footnotes = | highest_mount =  | country = Australia | country_admin_divisions_title = State | country_admin_divisions = Queensland | demonym = | population = 400 | population_as_of = | density_km2 = | density_footnotes = | ethnic_groups = | website = | additional_info = }} {{Infobox Australian place | type = town | name = Darnley Island / Erub Island | state = qld | image = | caption = | coordinates = {{coord|-9.585|143.7699|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Erub Island (centre of locality)}} | pop = 326 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = | postcode = 4875 | area = 5.7 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 208  | dir1 = NE | location1 = Thursday Island (direct) | dist2 = 842 | dir2 = N | location2 = Cairns (direct) | dist3 = 2212 | dir3 = NNW | location3 = Brisbane (direct) | dist4 = | dir4 = | location4 = | lga = Torres Strait Island Region | stategov = Cook | fedgov = Leichhardt | maxtemp = | mintemp = | rainfall = | near-n = | near-ne = | near-e = | near-se = | near-s = | near-sw = | near-w = | near-nw = }} left|thumb|Canoes of Erub, eastern Torres Strait, painted by Lt. George Tobin, September 1792. The British ships are HMS Providence and HMS Assistant. '''Darnley Island''', or '''''Erub''''' in the native Papuan language of Meriam Mir, is an island formed by volcanic action and situated in the eastern section of the Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia.<ref name="qpni">{{cite QPN|9371|Darnley Island|island|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> It is one of the Torres Strait Islands and is located near the Great Barrier Reef and just south of the Bligh entrance. The town on the island is also called '''Darnley''', but the locality is called Erub Island, both being within the local government area of Torres Strait Island Region.<ref name="qpnt">{{cite QPN|9372|Darnley Island|town|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite QPN|46716|Erub Island|locality|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Erub Island had a population of 326 people, with 292 (89.6%) identifying as Indigenous Australians.<ref name="Census2021" />

The effective community language is Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), though many people also still speak Meriam Mir, the traditional language.

==History==

The island was named by Captain William Bligh in 1792 during his second breadfruit voyage to the Pacific, after his distant relative, the Earl of Darnley.<ref name="qpni" /><ref name="qpnt" /><ref name="PIM31">{{cite web | last= | first= | work= II(11) Pacific Islands Monthly | title= Bligh and the Darnley Islands | date= 23 June 1932 | url= https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-310885852/view?partId=nla.obj-310898520#page/n22/mode/1up | accessdate= 26 September 2021 | archive-date= 26 September 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210926095410/https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-310885852/view?partId=nla.obj-310898520#page/n22/mode/1up | url-status= live }}</ref> [[File:Hand-coloured lithograph of a canoe at Erub, eastern Torres Strait, drawn by Harden Sidney Melville, 1844-45.png|left|thumb|Hand-coloured lithograph of a canoe at Erub, drawn by Harden Sidney Melville, 1844-45]] [[File:Hand-coloured lithograph of a canoe drawn up within a village on Erub, eastern Torres Strait, drawn by Harden Sidney Melville in 1844-45.png|thumb|left|Hand-coloured lithograph of a canoe drawn up within a village on Erub, eastern Torres Strait, drawn by Harden Sidney Melville,1844-45]] thumb|Joe Rotumah's house on Darnley Island with India rubber planted in 1890-1898|left In 1871 representatives of the London Missionary Society (LMS) arrived in the Torres Straits on the vessel ''Surprise'',<ref name="AWM76">{{cite book |last1= Murray |first1= Archibald Wright |title= Forty Years' Mission Work in Polynesia and New Guinea: From 1835 to 1875 |date=1876 |publisher= London, James Nisbet and Company |isbn= 1362531901}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hammond | first=Philip | title=Performers mark Coming of the Light | website=The Courier Mail | date=30 June 2011 | url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/performers-mark-coming-of-the-light/news-story/8c1c1f1e50867d6c7e15d7f15855e5c2 | access-date=3 August 2021 | archive-date=12 January 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112203011/https://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/performers-mark-coming-of-the-light/news-story/8c1c1f1e50867d6c7e15d7f15855e5c2?nk=fc2207e5827b70bad115e21533f693f2-1642019411 | url-status=live }}</ref> a ship owned or chartered by the LMS,<ref>{{cite journal| title=Missionary Ships| journal=Shipping Wonders of the World| issue=Part 51| date=26 January 1937| url=https://www.shippingwondersoftheworld.com/missionrary-ships.html| access-date=3 August 2021| archive-date=4 July 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704130209/https://www.shippingwondersoftheworld.com/missionrary-ships.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=The Coming of the Light | website=Anglican Board of Mission | url=https://www.abmission.org/resources.php/217/the-coming-of-the-light | access-date=3 August 2021 | archive-date=3 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803031755/https://www.abmission.org/resources.php/217/the-coming-of-the-light | url-status=live }}</ref> after the French Government had demanded their removal from the Loyalty Islands and New Caledonia in 1869. They decided to expand into the Torres Straits and New Guinea.<ref name="qhr" /> They were represented by two Englishmen, Reverend Samuel Macfarlane<ref name="adbmcf">{{cite web | last=Gibbney | first=H. J. | title=Samuel Macfarlane | website=Australian Dictionary of Biography | date=1974 | url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/macfarlane-samuel-4090 | access-date=3 August 2021 | quote=This article was first published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5, (MUP), 1974 | archive-date=3 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803031753/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/macfarlane-samuel-4090 | url-status=live }}</ref> and Reverend A.W. Murray, and eight Lifu (Loyalty Islander) evangelists: Tapeso, Elia, Mataika, Guchong, Kerisidui, Wauaded, Sevine and Josaia, and their wives.<ref name="qhr">{{cite QHR|15648|All Saints Anglican Church|600873|access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref> The missionaries reached Erub on 1 July 1871, an event that came to be known as the "Coming of the Light". One of the tribal elders of the island, Dabad, met them at Kemus (or Kernus) Beach<ref name="redochre2017">{{cite web|date=15 May 2019|title=Dr Ken Thaiday Senior|url=https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/arts-in-daily-life/artist-stories/dr-ken-thaiday-senior/|access-date=14 April 2020|website=Australia Council|archive-date=12 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412191727/https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/arts-in-daily-life/artist-stories/dr-ken-thaiday-senior/|url-status=live}}</ref> after which he introduced them to Amani, another tribal elder, and the rest of the Erub Islanders. His role in the bringing of Christianity to the Torres Straits is memorialised by Dabad's Monument at Badog. The inscription reads "In loving memory of Dabad 1871: A man who denied his tribal laws and accepted the good news of salvation".<ref name="qhr" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dabad's Monument|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/indigenous/display/91287-dabad%60s-monument|access-date=14 July 2016|website=Monument Australia|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822041232/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/indigenous/display/91287-dabad%60s-monument|url-status=live}}</ref> All Torres Strait Island communities celebrate the Coming of the Light Festival annually on 1 July.<ref name="burton">{{cite web |url= http://www.tsra.gov.au/the-torres-strait/general-history.aspx |archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090515015550/http://www.tsra.gov.au/the-torres-strait/general-history.aspx |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 May 2009 |title= History of Torres Strait to 1879 – a regional view |first= John |last=Burton |publisher= Torres Strait Regional Authority |access-date= 3 July 2011 }}</ref>

Pearlers and beche-de-mer gatherers visited the island. Over many years, these industries attracted an influx of seamen from the Pacific Islands, the Philippines, and Malaya, many of whom married local women and settled on the island.

In the early 20th century, the Queensland Government started installing various facilities such as a school, medical aid, post office and an Island Industries Board store.

In 1919, the All Saints Church was constructed at the former site of the original London Missionary Society mission house and school. Locally produced lime from burnt coral and basalt was used and the work was done under the direction of Manai, an Erub Islander, and Ware, a South Sea Islander. It was originally known as the Ziona church.<ref name="qhr" />left|thumb|Houses on the beach, 1949Darnley Island State School opened on 29 January 1985, replacing the earlier mission school. On 1 January 2007 it became the Darnley Island Campus of the Tagai State College (with its main campus on Thursday Island).<ref name="qfhs">{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref>

Darnley people have been at the forefront of the movement for adequate recognition of Torres Strait Islanders' rights. From the 1960s to the '90s, George Mye (Torres Strait Islander) was an elder and among the most prominent advocates of Islander interests. Carlemo Wacando was among the first to challenge the legal notion of terra nullius, which Australia had posited to support their annexation of traditional lands. The High Court of Australia ruled in ''Mabo v Queensland (No 2)'' (1992) in favor of traditional land ownership of the Torres Strait Islanders, which also applied to Australian aboriginal claims in their territories. The Native Title Act of 1993 was passed to administer these changes.

Pau Enterprises Indigenous Corporation was established in 2015 to manage and maintain the Pau family native title lands and interests on Darnley Island. It also seeks to create social enterprises on Darnley Island and other locations where its community members have migrated, such as Cairns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qpc.blob.core.windows.net/wordpress/2017/06/11-019-Pau-Enterprises-Indigenous-Corporation-submission-REDACTED.pdf|title=The Proposal Summary: Outline of Project Goals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426124622/https://qpc.blob.core.windows.net/wordpress/2017/06/11-019-Pau-Enterprises-Indigenous-Corporation-submission-REDACTED.pdf|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|access-date=26 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Darnley Island became better known around Australia in 2015 when the acting school principal asked via social media for donations of books to assist her primary school children and their education. Her efforts resulted in more than 18,000 shares on Facebook, and hundreds of books were sent to the island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tagaisc.eq.edu.au/Calendarandnews/News/Pages/Thank-you-from-Erub-Erwer-Uteb.aspx|title=Thank you from Erub Erwer Uteb|website=Tagai State College|publisher=Queensland Government|access-date=26 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030901/https://tagaisc.eq.edu.au/Calendarandnews/News/Pages/Thank-you-from-Erub-Erwer-Uteb.aspx|archive-date=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Erub Island had a population of 328 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30993|name=Erub Island (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Erub Island had a population of 326 people, with 292 (89.6%) identifying as Indigenous Australians.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30983|name=Erub Island (SAL)|accessdate=16 June 2024|quick=on}}</ref>

==Flora and fauna== The Kinabalu giant earthworm, ''Pheretima darnleiensis'', is named after Darnley Island, although it is likely an introduced species there.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Blakemore, R.J. |author2=C. Csuzdi |author3=M.T. Ito |author4=N. Kaneko |author5=T. Kawaguchi |author6=M. Schilthuizen |year=2007 |url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/z01613p044f.pdf |title=Taxonomic status and ecology of Oriental ''Pheretima darnleiensis'' (Fletcher, 1886) and other earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Mt Kinabalu, Borneo |journal=Zootaxa |volume=1613 |pages=23–44 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.1613.1.2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410002726/http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/z01613p044f.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Heritage listings== thumb|All Saints Anglican Church, 1971 Darnley Island has a heritage-listed site: All Saints Anglican Church.<ref>{{cite QHR|15648|All Saints Anglican Church|600873|access-date=16 July 2013}}</ref>

== Amenities == The Torres Strait Island Regional Council operate an Indigenous Knowledge Centre at Madige Village on Erub.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/torres_strait/erub_library|title=Erub Island Indigenous Knowledge Centre|date=28 August 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205184513/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/torres_strait/erub_library|archive-date=5 February 2018|url-status=live|access-date=5 February 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

There are two stores, one school, and a health centre. Accommodation is available through Norah's Guest House, and the council run 'five star' ''dongas.''{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

== Education == Darnley Island Campus is a primary (Early Childhood-6) campus ({{coord|-9.5952|143.7601|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Tagai State College - Darnley Island Campus}}) of Tagai State College. It is on Road No 6 on the south-western side of the island ({{Coord|-9.5952|143.7602|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Darnley Island campus}}).<ref name="SchoolList2018">{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tagai State College - Darnley Island Campus|url=https://www.tagaisc.eq.edu.au|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=30 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830205025/http://tagaisc.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are no secondary schools on the island.<ref name="globeschools">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=22 January 2026 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref> The secondary campus of Tagai State College is on Thursday Island, over {{Convert|200|km||abbr=}} away; it offers some boarding facilities, but many children are also sent to mainland secondary schools.<ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-21|title=Thursday Island Secondary - Waybeni Koey Ngurpay Mudh|url=https://tagaisc.eq.edu.au/facilities/campuses/thursday-island-secondary-waybeni-koey-ngurpay-mudh|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027073904/https://tagaisc.eq.edu.au/facilities/campuses/thursday-island-secondary-waybeni-koey-ngurpay-mudh|archive-date=2020-10-27|access-date=2020-10-27|website=Tagai State College|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Kate|author-link=Kate Jones (politician)|title=New Thursday Island facility for secondary boarders a step closer|url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/81880|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027074204/https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/81880|archive-date=2020-10-27|access-date=2020-10-27|website=Ministerial Media Statements|publisher=Queensland Government|language=en}}</ref>

==See also== {{stack|{{Portal|Queensland|Islands}}}} *Darnley Island Airport *List of Torres Strait Islands

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book |url=https://hdl.handle.net/10462/PubsTD/00290108 |title=Darnley, island of Torres Strait |vauthors=((Teske, T., Thaiday, S.)) |date=1987 |publisher=Far Northern Schools Development Unit |isbn=}} — full text online

==External links== {{commons category|Darnley Island, Queensland}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060823020041/http://atns.net.au/biogs/A002267b.htm Mye on behalf of ''Erubam Le v State of Queensland'' (2004), FCA 1573 (8 December 2004)] * ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuTLsfh8SMc&list=PLrqonDHggzO9AedJor3-1E91xA6aD7OYT&index=80 Passion and Professionalism]'' by Dorothy Walker and Lynetee Griffiths; short video about an education project for indigenous students on Darnley Island, 2 min 42 sec, published by State Library of Queensland as part of Storylines:Q150 digital stories * [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183583014902061 Erub: The Coming of the Light Digital Story], a video complimenting the [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99294693402061 Darnley Island Arts Centre linocuts] that were on display at 'The Coming of The Light' festival. Video published by State Library of Queensland as part of the "[https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/islands-hidden-histories-queenslands-islands Islands: Hidden histories from Queensland islands]' exhibition * [https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/481558952 Photographs at 'The Coming of the Light' celebrations, Erub Island, 2009], State Library of Queensland * [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183874320102061 At Our Table: Erub Island Digital Story], a digital story focusing on the traditional methods of catching, cooking and eating food on the island. Available on State Library of Queensland catalogue * [https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/33462063 Photographs of Church Service at All Saints Anglican Church, Erub Island], State Library of Queensland * [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99272813402061 Weaving Exchange: Erub Island and Hopevale], footage of weaving workshop run by a group of weavers from Erub, Torres Strait and Hope Vale, Cape York. Available on State Library of Queensland catalogue * [https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99183893213402061 Culture Love 2009], State Library of Queensland

Category:Darnley Island (Queensland) Category:Torres Strait Islands Category:Torres Strait Island Region Category:Torres Strait Islands communities