Badu Island facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Badu; Badu Island Queensland
A satellite image of Badu Island
Badu; Badu Island Location in Queensland
Postcode(s)	4875
Area	101.0 km2 (39.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	Torres Strait Island Region
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal Division(s)	Leichhardt

Badu, also known as Badu Island, is a special island in the Torres Strait. It is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Thursday Island in Queensland, Australia. Badu Island is also a locality in the Torres Strait Island Region. The only town on the island is Wakaid, found on the south-east coast. This island is one of the many Torres Strait Islands. The main language spoken on Badu is Kala Lagaw Ya.

The Mura Badulgal (Torres Strait Islanders) Corporation helps manage the land for the Badulgal people. On February 1, 2014, the Badulgal people were officially recognized as the traditional owners of Badu and nearby islands. This happened through a native title decision. The Queensland Government gave them ownership of 9,836 hectares (24,305 acres) of land. In 2021, about 704 people lived on Badu Island.

Exploring Badu Island's Past

Early Life and Language

Kala Lagaw Ya is one of the important languages of the Torres Strait. It is the traditional language used on the Western and Central islands of the Torres Strait. This language region includes the area around the Torres Shire Council.

In 1606, a sailor named Luís Vaz de Torres sailed north of Australia. He explored the Torres Strait, moving along the southern coast of New Guinea.

Daily Life Before the 1870s

Before the 1870s, men on Badu Island were very busy. They spent their time in activities like farming, fishing, and building canoes and houses. They also hunted turtles and dugong. Sometimes, there were conflicts between groups. These old ways changed when Christianity arrived on the island.

The Pearl Industry and Missionaries

In the 1870s, people who hunted for pearls set up bases on Badu Island. By the early 1880s, islanders started to rely on money they earned working on lugger boats, which were used for pearling. Around the same time, the first missionaries came to the island.

The pearl shell industry was very big in the late 1950s. Badu had a fleet of 13 boats, employing about 200 workers. Many men from other islands also found work there. When the demand for pearl shells went down, many people moved to mainland Australia to find jobs.

Education and Land Rights

Badu Island State School first opened its doors on January 29, 1905. Later, on January 1, 2007, it became the Badu Island campus of Tagai State College.

On February 1, 2014, the Queensland Government officially gave the Badulgal traditional owners the freehold title to 9,836 hectares of land on Badu Island. This was a big moment, ending a long effort for recognition that began in 1939. David Kempton, who was an Assistant Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, gave the land deed to Badu Elder Lily Ahmat at a special ceremony on the island. An Indigenous land use agreement was also signed on July 7, 2014.

Modern Facilities on Badu Island

Badu Island has many useful facilities for its community. These include:

• An airport, making travel easier.
• A regional council office, helping with local government.
• A state school for students from years 1 to 7.
• A health center with a doctor who lives on the island.
• Two grocery stores, including the local J&J Supermarket.
• A post office for mail services.
• A Centrelink agency, which helps with government services.
• A football field for sports and recreation.
• A motel for visitors.

Many other local businesses also operate on Badu. These include companies that export live seafood.

St. Mark's Church

St. Mark's Church was built between 1933 and 1935. On January 12, 1936, the church was dedicated to Reverend Stephen Davies, who was the Bishop of Carpentaria. The church was designed to hold about 700 people. It is still used by the community today.

Indigenous Knowledge Centre

The Badu Island Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) is located in the Rural Transaction Centre on Nona Street. The Torres Strait Island Regional Council runs it. IKCs are like libraries, meeting places, and cultural hubs all in one. They are important places for the community to gather and learn.

Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh Art Centre

The Badhulgaw Kuthinaw Mudh Art Centre is a place where local artists can show and sell their amazing works. Artists like Alick Tipoti and Laurie Nona are known around the world for their art from this center. The center also keeps important cultural items safe. It helps artists learn new skills and provides training.

Notable People from Badu Island

Here are some well-known people who are from or have lived on Badu Island:

• Ethel May Eliza Zahel (1877–1951), a teacher and public servant.
• Tanu Nona (1902–1980), a pearler and politician.