Pride runs deep in the Torres Strait

It’ll be the first time singer Christine Anu takes part in the Anzac Day tribute wearing her grandfather’s WWII medals.

Christine Anu with serving Torres Strait soldiers Private Lettrell Uta and Sergeant Clayford Lui on Wednesday. Picture: Nikki Short

Christine Anu held her grandfather’s medals for the first time, watching them glint in sunlight.

Those medals were awarded to her grandfather, Corporal Nadi Anu, who served during WWII.

She laughs – there were four medals there, more than she was expecting.

“I’ve seen, I think, two of these three before,” she said, pointing at the circular medals, “but this is the first time I’m seeing (my grandfather’s) – it’s quite special.

The singer and songwriter has been involved with the Anzac Day tribute for the past three years but this year will be her first where she gets to honour her Torres Strait Islander grandfather’s legacy by wearing his medals, she said.

“I had a big cry moment – I don’t know, it was just the sense of pride that we have with his name and the medals and knowing his involvement in World War II,” Anu said. “It just feels like a proud moment for the family and my grandfather and his legacy.”

It comes at a particularly poignant moment. In the past 12 months, the last two surviving Torres Strait World War II veterans have passed away, well into their 90s – Private Mebai Warusam and Private Awati Mau.

Anu, along with two soldiers who are descendants of those two veterans, will lay a wreath during the Anzac Day tribute.

She will also sing Baba Wayar, a hymn in the Kala Lagaw Ya ­language.

Those two descendants stood nearby, in well-pressed ceremonial uniform. They introduced themselves as Private Lettrell Uta and Sergeant Clayford Lui, and explained they were not only descendants of the two WWII veterans, but that their unit – the 51st Far North Queensland Charlie Company – was the modern equivalent to the Torres Strait Light Infantry in which those veterans served.

The two veterans who passed were grandfathers to Private Uta and uncles to Sergeant Lui.

Private Uta said it was his first time being in Sydney and that he was honoured to represent his grandfathers.

“That representation for us of those that have gone before us – honouring that legacy that they’ve paved their way for where we are and what we’re doing now,” he said.