From the air, Darnley Island lies within a string of over 270 islands within the Torres Strait.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
Torres Strait Islander man, performs as part of the Purple Spider Island dancers. They share their stories and passion through their performances at the Coming of the Light Festival, Darnley Island.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
Locals arrive in colourful dress as the Coming of the Light ceremony on Darnley Island begins.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
All Saints church on Darnley Island becomes the gathering place for all denominations throughout the Coming of the Light Festival.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
This little boy is one of the Purple Spider Island dancers, who share their stories and passion through their performances at the Coming of the Light Festival, Darnley Island, in the Torres Strait Islands.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
Wasie Tardent smiles wide as she takes part in the singing and celebrations of the Coming of the Light Festival on Darnley Island in the Torres Strait.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
Local Darnley Island residents, William (Bully) and Norah Saylor.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
A sense of the sprawling Torres Strait Islands seascape is achieved from the air on approach to Horn Island.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
The clear waters off Horn Island in the Torres Strait is home to sharks, crocs, turtles and abundant sea life.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
An outpouring of faith, music and song, fills the All Saints church during a combined service celebrating the Coming of the Light to Darnley Island.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
It feels like Christmas, as people arrive and unload armfuls of food – sop sop (made with sweet potato and coconut milk), damper, fish, salads, slices of bright pink watermelon – placing them carefully on long trestle tables before joining the throng to chat.
Photo Credit: Cathy Finch
Colourful grasshoppers share the gardens of Torres Strait Islanders.
Before the missionaries came, the people of the Torres Straight had practised head-hunting and traded skulls with Papua New Guineans in return for long canoes. The shrubby island vegetation prevented Erub people from making their own canoes, but watercraft were vital to their seafaring way of life. Head-hunting was a violent and bloody exercise and Ida said that the reason the Coming of the Light was such a happy festival was because it was a celebration of peace. The missionaries preached that killing was a sin, and the island people had laid down their weapons.