07/09/2026
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Today members of the Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) community joined with Traditional Owners, Elders, the Mayor, councillors and the community to mark the anniversary of recognition as a distinct cultural group.
Local elder, Marion Healy, was part of the group that drafted and finalised the statement adopted by the Queensland Government in 2000.
βToday we stand together in visibility, with remembrance and pride. We acknowledge our ancestors, the strength of our journey and the legacy that continues through each of us,β Ms Healy said.
Fourth generation ASSI, Runhoa Fatnowna, was the guest speaker and told this morningβs event her story is shared by many in the community.
βMy great grandfather was kidnapped from the Soloman Islands to work in the emerging sugar plantations in Queensland. His story and my story are like so many others β stories of resilience.
βOur ancestors were unwelcome β excluded from land ownership and civic life. Behind every statistic is a family and I stand here today as one of those with a lost heritage.β
Mayor Greg Williamson acknowledged the significant contribution of ASSIs to our community.
βWe need to remember our origins and that as a community we ensure we donβt leave anybody behind. Thereβs no one here that can change the past, but we can change the future. We can actually focus on the future as a singular community where nobody gets left behind. This isnβt just about recognition today, itβs about acknowledging the ASSI contribution to our community is significant,β Mayor Williamson said.
Queensland is home to 75 per cent of the nationβs ASSI, with the majority living in the Mackay region.
βThis tells us that our community remains strong and visible.
βMy grandad used to say a man with no history is a man with no future. Today, our future stands strong because of our history,β Ms Fatnowna said.
