This work in progress, entitled simply “Home”, is a series of portraits taken in January 2009 during a visit to Murray Island, or ‘Mer’ in the Torres Strait, Far North Queensland, Australia. A portrait of the Meriam people. These images are of particular significance to me personally, as they centre around my oldest son Hali, 12. Hali’s biological father is from Murray Island and this connection forms the essence of Hali’s identity. Each year as he spends time with his Island family his affinity with this part of his life grows stronger and he is becoming a proud Murray Islander.  Immersed in a culture of feasting, dancing, fishing, & friendship, his confidence blossoms, his smile a permanent fixture.  Myself, my partner Darren and our other three children are blessed to have spent some time together on Mer, welcomed with big smiles and open arms by the beautiful Meriam people.

These portraits are the beginning of a portrait of the Meriam people beginning with Hali’s family, through which I propose to explore what lies beneath the surface  as well the everyday.  Mer was the birthplace of ‘Uncle Koiki’, or Edward Koiki Mabo, and is now his resting place. Uncle ‘Koiki’ is Hali’s Great, Great Uncle.

There is a sense of sadness when Hali leaves, that he is leaving his home.  As his mother, I am learning that in many ways his home is Mer and I realise that home is more than ever about the heart not the house.

i.    The Murray Islands - Mer, Waier and Dauar are the most easterly of the Torres Strait Islands, situated on the Great Barrier Reef.

ii.   Edward Koiki Mabo was instrumental in securing ‘native title’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, his long term activism culminating in the ten year High Court case ‘Mabo v Queensland’ where the declaration of ‘terra nullius’ or ‘land belonging to no-one’ was made irrelevant, on June 3rd 1992.