‘We feel like we’re there with him’: Island home inspired by Australian Boomers captain Patty Mills

The Torres Strait is rallying behind a favourite son with the remote islands’ artists, athletes and community leaders joining forces to cheer on Patty Mills in his pursuit of a gold medal in Paris.

The Torres Strait is rallying behind a favourite son with the remote islands’ artists, athletes and community leaders joining forces to cheer on Patty Mills in his pursuit of a gold medal in Paris.

The proud Muralag and Kokatha man, who became Australia’s first Indigenous flag bearer at the Tokyo Games, is again captain of the men’s national basketball team, guiding the Boomers to a 92-80 victory in Paris on Saturday night (AEST).

Patty Mills scored 19 points against Spain during the opening game of the Men's Group Phase - Group A match on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

But more than 14,000km from Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, France, Mills is inspiring residents living on the 274 tropical islands north of Cape York, Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC) mayor Phillemon Mosby said.

“It will echo through many generations to come what he’s done,” Mr Mosby, who is a distant relative of the five-time Olympian, said.

“He’s a fine example that with commitment and dedication and the right level of support, you can succeed.”

Torres Strait Island Regional Council mayor Phillemon Mosby will be proudly cheering on Patty Mills and the Australian Boomers at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Samuel Davis

Mr Mosby recalled how the island’s warup drums called the Canberra-born superstar home to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mabo Day on Mer Island in 2022, with Mr Mosby in attendance.

There, the mayor said he saw the Tokyo bronze medallist’s commitment to culture and inner humility.

“Just seeing him walking with families and when the night feasting came he joined in the traditional dancing,” Mr Mosby said.

“It reminds us all that we can be connected, humble and strong. I felt blessed and very proud that you can go anywhere in the world and achieve but you don’t allow that to affect you.

“I saw this local village kid join the dances and … get in order and showcase an ancient story through song and dance.”

Joel Khalu is getting behind Mills and the Boomers’ Olympic campaign. Picture: Stewart McLean

A slow start in exhibition games ahead of the Olympics had some questioning the 35-year-old’s role within the Boomers’ but Mackay Meteors coach Joel Khalu said recent form had silenced Mills’ critics.

“I think people have looked at him and said, ‘He’s older, he’s slower’ but he’s starting to gear up now and when Patty turns into ‘FIBA Patty’ he’s like no other,” the former Cairns Marlin and fellow Torres Strait Islander said.

“FIBA Patty is a different beast. For him going into his fifth Olympics and being such a pivotal part of every one of those campaigns is huge.”

Mills’ triumphant 42 points in the Tokyo bronze medal game still stands as one of the greatest performances by an Australian athlete, Mr Khalu said.

“I was crying watching the bronze medal game when they beat Slovenia,” the coach said.

“The emotion around understanding the work that he had put in and what it meant to everyone … there are no words to describe what an inspiration he is and what he means to so many people.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui is backing the Boomers in Paris. Picture: Tara Croser.

Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, who became the first Torres Strait Islander elected to any parliament in Australia in 2017, said the NBA champion had lifted the profile of Torres Strait Islanders across the globe through his exploits on the hardwood.

“Patty Mills is a champion – for Australia, for the Torres Strait and for basketball,” Ms Lui said.

“He’s an inspiration to many kids, young people and sports lovers across the nation. I can’t wait to see them on the podium.”

“MJ, Shaq and Patty”: Torres Strait rapper Mau Power says Patty Mills has blazed a path for First Nations peoples to follow.

Thursday Island rapper Mau Power praised Mills for inspiring First Nations peoples to reach new heights in all walks of life.

“Prior to Patty, we had Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal,” the hip-hop artist said.

“Now we have one of our own.

“The next generation have a role model and a blueprint to work towards which makes it more real.”

The Boomers take on Canada on Tuesday night.

Originally published as ‘We feel like we’re there with him’: Island home inspired by Australian Boomers captain Patty Mills