Striking Back

During the 1880s, some Murray Islanders bought their own boats and worked in the pearling industry.

Clan owned boats, with names like 'Tagai' and 'Meriam', soon began competing with privately owned pearling luggers.

However, many years later, in January 1936, the Meriam pearlers went on strike, in support of home rule, freedom from the Aboriginal Protection Act, and in the hope the Commonwealth would take control of the Torres Strait from Queensland.

Supported by the Anglican Bishop, and given moral support by two Murray Islander priests, the strike was organised at sea, and was timed to coincide with the local Protector's annual recruiting drive for the clan owned boats.