PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

Philippine Consulate General Darwin Visits Tiwi Islands

Left photo: Philippine Honorary Consul General John Rivas (2nd from left) presented Certificates of Appreciation to Mr. Louie De Guzman (3rd from left), Sr. Anne Gardiner (5th from left), and representatives of Tiwi Land Council Chairman Mr. Gibson Farmer Illortaminni and CEO Mr. Andrew Tipungwuti during his visit to Bathurst Island, Tiwi. (Credits: Darwin PCG)

Right photo: Promotional poster of the Nguiu Ullintjinni Association, Inc. (NUA) managed by Filipino General Manager Louie De Guzman. (Credits: Darwin PCCG)

10 August 2021 – Mr. Januario John Rivas, Philippine Honorary Consul General in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia visited the Tiwi Islands on 06 August 2021. PHCG Rivas led a team to the Bathurst Island, one of the two major islands comprising the Tiwi Islands, through the assistance of Mr. Louie De Guzman and the Tiwi Land Council.

PHCG Rivas met Mr. De Guzman, Filipino General Manager of the Nguiu Ullintjinni Association, Inc. (NUA), which operates major business establishments in the Island that includes a Post Office, a shopping centre, a bakery, a coffee shop and a motor shop. NUA currently employs twenty-five (25) Filipinos in its operations.

PHCG Rivas toured the Patakijiyali Museum established in the early 2000s by Sr. Anne Gardiner to preserve Tiwi history, language and culture. Sr. Anne is the author of the Commemorative Book on the 100 Years of Missionary Work in Bathurst Island, which mentions the early Filipino settlement in the island through anecdotes of indigenous people.

A wreath of flowers and prayers were offered at the memorial site of the ill-fated steamships, SS Don Isidro and SS Florence D, located at the entrance of the Patakijiyali Museum. The SS Don Isidro and SS Florence D sank in Darwin Sea during the bombing of Darwin by Japanese fighter planes on 19 February 1942. Fourteen (14) Filipino merchant mariners perished during the attack. They are presently honoured on a plaque at the Darwin Military Museum, as well as in a Roll of Honour provided by the Northern Territory Library Service.

The visit is part of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippine-Australian diplomatic relations and demonstrates the long-standing and enduring cultural and people-to-people links between the Philippines and Australia. END