John Devine
Public Affairs Officer, Thursday Is
"Stunning scenery, endless beaches, spell binding cultures, different languages and a job that makes a difference".
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Location: 2,640km north west of Brisbane, 804km north of Cairns, 141km south west of Papua New Guinea, 35km north west of Cape York
Thursday Island is a welcoming island community located off the northern coast of Cape York Peninsula. It is the main island in the Torres Strait region which includes over 20 islands and a population of over 25 000. Fishing, prawning, pearling and tourism are the life force of these islands. Known by locals as “T.I.”, this three square kilometre island offers an easy-going and relaxed lifestyle in an attractive tropical island environment.
If you’re a Queensland Health employee living on Thursday Island, you will be providing health services from either the Thursday Island Hospital or the Thursday Island Primary Health Care Centre.
THURSDAY ISLAND HOSPITAL: The Thursday Island hospital is a 38 bed facility providing health services to the residents of Thursday Island as well as the outer islands of the Torres Strait.
Services provided by the hospital include, emergency, general medicine and maternity services.
Specialist services include diabetology, obstetrics, paediatric medicine, adult mental health and general surgery.
Visiting specialists providing clinics include a general physician, opthalmologist, chest physician, gynaecologist, general surgeon, vascular surgeon, psychiatrist
and a paediatrician.
Allied health services available include podiatry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and radiography.
A HACC program is also in place.
THURSDAY ISLAND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE: Along with the hospital, the centre was opened in 1997 and delivers health services to the residents of Thursday Island and the fourteen outer islands of the Torres Strait.
The centre provides primary health services including general practice medicine, child health, oral health, adult mental health, drug and alcohol, men’s and women’s health, HIV/AIDS, palliative care, home care, rehabilitation, infectious diseases, diabetes and nutrition, environmental health, hearing health, health promotion
and healthy aging.
Clinics for child health, diabetes and hearing are also available.
Allied health services include podiatry, social work and oral health.
Outreach services of oral health, men’s and women’s health, infectious diseases and family support also exist.
Thursday Island is primarily an Indigenous population. A background in Indigenous health is highly recommended. The community is a cultural fusion of native Torres Strait Islanders and Papua New Guineans, only 3.73 kilometres north from Torres Strait’s northern most point, Saibai Island.
Torres Strait Islanders have a close connection with the land and the sea and are culturally proud. You’ll find many markers around town illustrating the rich history
of the Islanders, including those signifying the involvement of the islands in international events. For example, Thursday Island was important to Australia as a defence centre against a threatening invasion. Cannons and some fortifications on Battery Point still remain and there are a number of tours that can be taken to learn about this period.
Hire yourself a boat and see the best that Torres Strait has to offer. Fish, swim, canoe or pearl dive in the azure waters surrounding Thursday Island. Then head
to any one of the restaurants in the area for a deliciously fresh seafood lunch.
Services
Sporting & Recreation
Queensland Health facility address
Fast Facts
