Mob in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) are pushing boundaries and breaking barriers to achieve health and fitness goals in their remote island communities.
On Waiben Thursday Island, proud Kulkalgal nation woman Tari Sagigi, a self-taught fitness guru, recently held the island's first ever Hyrox-style fitness competition, 'Sweatin' on the Rock'.
She says she’s doing it for future generations.
“Fitness means that we're able to keep going regardless of injuries, regardless of age, regardless of how heavy we are,” she said.
“It means that we're here, we're strong.
It’s a huge feat in remote island communities where there are no sporting goods retailers and hundreds of kilometres between gyms, if they exist at all.
In recent years, declining health outcomes in some areas have seen community members joining arms and hosting fitness and wellbeing groups.
One of the smallest islands in Zenadth Kes, Waiben has the largest population of around 2800 people. 60 of them joined Tari’s epic fitness challenge.
Some of those athletes travelled hundreds of kilometres to participate, coming from the mainland at Cairns and Northern Peninsula Area, as well as Kirriri, Ngurupai and Badu Islands.
Living in a very remote location, locals are used to being resourceful and finding ways to make things work with what little they have. Tari scouted the island for equipment in residents' garages to use for her big event.
She also sourced 40 community volunteers and sponsorship from her local Aboriginal Health Service.
Modifications were made for those with injuries, and all ages were encouraged.
“This is for literally anyone who wants to give it a red-hot go and anyone who wants to challenge themselves."
Age is just a number
Among the competitors on the day, Michael Laza and Dawn Baira from Badu Island were the oldest, clocking in at 59 and 61 respectively.
Dawn says age is just a number.
“That's all it is. You just keep going – my inspiration is younger ones, they kind of urge me to keep going,” she said.
“We've just become grandparents, so now we have to look back so that we can spend more time with our kids and grandkids.
Mr Laza urged communities to join the events being provided to them.
“Just get up, start walking,” he said.
“People are [creating these opportunities] for community, and you should join in.
“It's about yourself, not as other people look at you. You're gonna do it for yourself and your body too – that’s gonna keep you longer.”
Closing the Gap
Ms Baira said part of their attendance that day was to encourage their peers to join in fitness opportunities.
“Your families and the Elders – there's a bit of a pattern where they're not living as long,” she said.
Mr Laza said he was a bit sore after the big day but putting himself out there with the other athletes had made him feel good.
“We all know, Indigenous health, we don’t [live as] long,” he said.
“Health should be a priority – try better ourselves, so we can live longer.”
Bronwyn Hewitt, an Aboriginal woman from Cherbourg, has been living on Waiben for 6 years.
She chose to volunteer and support Tari’s mammoth vision, and says exercise is key to closing the gap on health outcomes.
“It comes back to closing the gap and being around for a long time for the next generation and the generation after that,” she said.
“To see the older people compete and the couples, and then watching the kids watch those people do it – it's setting such a great example for everyone.”
She said the backdrop of the bright blue waters of Zenadth Kes was motivation enough to train.
“Where can you go where you're sweating it out with this as your background?” Ms Hewett asked.
“Don't be shame – whether you're working out at home, just doing laps – anything is better than nothing.
“Don't worry about what other people think of you, because really, they're probably cheering you on.”
This article was written in collaboration with Torres Strait Islander Media Authority.
