Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Vale Joseph Andrew Lui

Yam island on Wednesday 6th January saw the meeting place of all members of the Lui family who travelled from many distant places throughout the country to pay a lasting tribute to the memory of Joseph Andrew Lui who died on the 3rd January, 1980 at the young age of 52 years. The occasion was the unveiling and blessing of a magnificent tombstone memorial of Andrew as he was affectionately known.

The ceremony commenced at 11 o'clock in the morning with a celebration and procession to the cemetery. The cutting of the ribbon and the official opening was carried out by a lifetime friend of Andrew, Mr. Pat Killoran, Director of the Department of Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement who travelled to the Torres Strait specially to join with the Lui family in this tribute.

The family took position around the tombstone and proceeded with ceremony and hymns to unveil the black marble tombstone of his memorial.

The inscription on the memorial was read by Mr. Allan Neil the Department's Manager at Thursday Island. Reverend Father Gebadi then performed traditional blessing, led prayers for the happy reclose of the soul of Andrew. Mr. Killoran, in paying a tribute to Andrew, reminded people that as a young man he learned at the knee of his parents Joseph and Mary Lui, the principals who governed his living and way of life throughout the well respected time he spent on the earth.

Andrew was amongst the first Torres Strait Islanders to volunteer for the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion in which he and his brother Abiu were the first Islanders to complete the Army Driver's Course and receive their Certificates of Competency.

This was a very significant achievement in those days. As a result, Andrew was also selected to be one of the few members who did overseas service at Merauke. After the war, Andrew came to work for the then Department of Native Affairs and performed outstanding and meritorious service over 25 years during which time he was awarded 7 Safe Driving Awards for accident free and safe operation of all type of vehicles.

In paying a special tribute to Andrew, Mr. Killoran recalled the close family friendship which existed between Andrew and his sons Paddy and Michael who learned much of the traditional way of life of the Islanders from Andrew. They remember him with deep affection and respect.

Special greetings were conveyed by the Director on behalf of the Premier and the Minister who remember with affection and respect the outstanding work of Andrew as an officer of the Department. Andrew, throughout his lifetime, was always found to be an honest and trustworthy, reliable and yet a humble man who carried out many kind and gentle services to all people without reward or thanks. He was indeed a faithful and true friend to all. May he rest in peace in the care of Almighty God whom he respected and served faithfully and well.

Source: VALE 'JOSEPH ANDREW LUI' (1982, January 12) Torres News, p. 9.