20 May 2025
Australian Army personnel are in the Torres Strait Islands until September to deliver community-driven infrastructure projects, as part of a continuing commitment to First Nations people.
Members of 17th Sustainment Brigade will deliver project management, construction, health, vocational training, and mentoring opportunities to remote communities.
Army will also provide accredited and non-accredited training in welding, metal works, first aid and general maintenance, as well as health support, including dental, primary health care and veterinary care.
These projects will be conducted under the Army Ailan (previously known as Aboriginal) Community Assistance Program (AACAP).
AACAP’s aim is to improve infrastructure and health in remote Indigenous communities.
It also provides an opportunity for engineers from the 6th Engineer Support Regiment (6ESR) and other Army elements, to enhance foundation trade skills required for expeditionary basing and construction tasks.
Divisional Engineer Officer for Erub (Darnley) Island, Les Pitt, said there has been a lot of work with the Army in the lead-up to the training.
“I was grateful to be part of the process every step of the way, to ensure the needs of the people were considered,” Mr Pitt said.
“This is very important to us, [with the delivery of Army equipment] we see the result of all the discussions and planning.”
'We are so blessed and lucky to have this project come to our island.'
A community hall and carriage way culvert will be built on Erub Island, a sports facility on Poruma Island, and Kup Murri, facility refurbishments and road paving on Warraber Island.
Mr Pitt said that in discussions with Army planners, it was decided a hall would be the best thing for the community.
“Before, all community gatherings and meetings to discuss important issues were done outside because we didn’t have a room for 200 people [to conduct our] public meetings,” Mr Pitt said.
“We are so blessed and lucky to have this project come to our island.
“Small communities like ours can’t do these projects alone, so it’s a big help.”
AACAP is a joint initiative between the National Indigenous Australians Agency and Army, now in its 28th year.
Captain Ji-Sang Yu, of 6ESR, said AACAP provided unique benefits for the community.
“Over the next five months, 6th Engineer Support Regiment, 19th Chief Engineer Works and supporting units will live and work alongside the community,” Captain Yu said.
“It ultimately connects the people from each island with our soldiers during the program through various community engagement activities.”
