Torres Strait elder George Mye dies

George Mye, the man who led the push for the Torres Strait Islands to secede from Queensland, has died of pneumonia.

Mr Mye, a lifelong friend of land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo, died early on Thursday morning, aged 85.

A former chairman of Darnley Island and widely respected elder of the region, Mr Mye was central in the push for the Torres Strait Islands to be granted secession from Queensland.

His push for autonomy eventually led to the formation of the Torres Strait Regional Authority in 1994.

Federal member for Leichhardt and friend Warren Entsch said far north Queensland had lost a powerful advocate.

“I loved him dearly and this will be a profound loss for the Torres Strait,” Mr Entsch said.

Mr Entsch said Mr Mye had served as a mentor on issues in the region.

“Whenever I sat down to discuss anything Uncle George made it very, very clear that I was there to sit down and listen,” he said.

“I never had the courage to argue against him, he had that sense of authority and an aura about him.

“When Uncle George spoke, I listened.”

Mr Entsch said he had written to Premier Campbell Newman seeking a state funeral.

Mr Mye’s death comes just six weeks before the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision, which was a major milestone in the fight for native title.

Mr Newman extended his sympathy to Mr Mye’s family and the Torres Strait Islander community.

He was a strong advocate for autonomy and improving the lives of Islanders, Mr Newman said in a statement.

“The passing of Mr George Mye will be felt by Torres Strait Islander people and others who have known him or his works throughout the country,” he said.

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