Our Flag, Our Story
The Torres Strait Islander Flag
Age range 5 to 12
‘We are many different people in Australia, and we all live in one big country. What may seem like a simple flag to some people, has given all Torres Strait Islanders an identity and a sense of pride...’
Bernard Namok Jnr was just a little boy when his dad designed the Torres Strait Islander Flag, a symbol of unity, shared identity and pride for all Torres Strait Islanders. This is the story of a flag and what it represents.
Alongside Mordey’s stunning digital illustrations reflecting the vibrant colours of the Torres Strait, Namok Jnr and Mayo present an engaging, personal story that invites young readers to learn about the Torres Strait Islander peoples, place and culture. Our Flag, Our Story shares an essential piece of Australian and Torres Strait Islander history, accessible for all ages.
Bernard Namok Jnr is a Torres Strait Islander man from Thursday Island. He is the son of the late Bernard Namok, designer of the Torres Strait Islander Flag. He co-wrote and co-produced the Screen Australia documentary Carry the Flag (2017) which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the flag’s creation. He also worked on a radio documentary for the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia called Let it Fly: The Namok’s Legacy (2019), that explores the copyright issues surrounding the flag.
Thomas Mayo is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man who was born and raised in Darwin. He was a wharf labourer before becoming an elected official of the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas is the author of many published books, articles and essays including works by Hardie Grant Books: Dear Son - Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons (2021) and Finding Our Heart (2020).
Tori-Jay Mordey is an established illustrator and artist based in Meanjin/Brisbane. Born on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, she is descended from the Meriam and Maluyigal clans. Her published works include Bakir & Bi co-written with Jillian Boyd (2013), and In the City I see (2018). Her other works include illustrating the portrait of Cathy Freeman in Shout Out to the Girls (2018) and the Children’s Picture Book A Blue Kind of Day (2022, Kokila).
