Australian South Sea Islander Recognition Day Northern Territory

03/10/2026

Thank you very much to Haloti Kailahi and the Pacific Islands Council NT for your advocacy and leadership. Thanks to Minister Jinson Charls MLA for hosting the first Pacific Islands Celebration at NT Parliament House. I'm very grateful for the Ministers interest in Australian South Sea Islander history in the NT. We look forward to continuing to work together.

12/09/2026

Kevin Yow Yeh (1941-1975) played 41 games for Balmain between 1966-1968. Yow Yeh started his career in Queensland with Gladstone before joining Redcliffe. Yow Yeh was named Redcliffe's player of the year in 1965 and won the Brisbane Premiership that year.

In 1966 he joined Balmain along with Arthur Beetson for a fee of 1500 pounds. Yow Yeh played in that years grand final loss for Balmain against St. George who won their 11th straight premiership. Yow Yeh left Balmain after only two years due to struggling with living in Sydney and returned to Queensland. In 1975, he died under mysterious circumstances in a Mackay Jail. Some sources say he died of a heart attack whilst others claim he was met by foul play.
Yow Yeh is the great uncle of Jharal Yow Yeh.

09/09/2026

Group of South Sea Islander workers on a sugar plantation in the Albert and Logan district in 1872. William Boag, photographer. 28784, Boag Collection of Collodion Glass Plate Negatives. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 28784-0001-0102

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

03/09/2026

Back on 25 August, Australian South Sea Islander Recognition Day, Councillors Patrik Ralph and Dr Edwin Joseph JP: Darwin City Councillor attended our community gathering at Bennett Park in Darwin City.

Later that evening, Councillor Ralph formally recognised Australian South Sea Islander people as a distinct cultural group within the Darwin community at the City of Darwin Council meeting.

The report was received and noted by Council under Resolution ORD325/26, carried unanimously 12–0.

This may be the first modern official acknowledgement of Australian South Sea Islander people by a government body in the Northern Territory. Once confirmed, that makes it a significant step in placing our community, history and contribution formally on the public record.

The video was recorded just after the meeting.

02/09/2026

Shout out to our newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Haloti Kailahi, Marritinjah Lefoe, Quiynzyy Lew