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War Memorial
Australia

Vale Enemarki Matthew Zaro

22/11/1917 - 7/02/14

By Alf Wilson

Highly respected Enemarki Matthew Zaro has died aged 96.

Enemarki was a proud Dauareb Elder who was known as Papa Zaro. He was born on November 22, 1917 and passed away on February 7, 2014.

The late Mr Enemarki Zaro was a proud Dauareb elder from the Dauareb Tribe, Dauar Island (forms part of the Meriam Group) and a Meriam Elder from Mer Island in the Eastern Torres Straits.

Enemarki was a direct descended of the late Nunu of Teg - Dauar Island. Nunu's wife was from Mabuiag Island. They had three children, Wagai, Wasalgi and Billy.

Wasalgi married Katabo (nee Stephen) from Stephen Island (Ugar), they had four children: Uni Uni, Zaro, Wagai and Largod.

Uni Uni died at an early age with no descendents, Zaro married Sedoi (nee Day) Wagai married Beskak Day and Largod married Bublu Day. The intermarriage forms the Zaro and Day Clan from Mer Island.

Zaro and Sedoi had eleven children:

Late Balaga Maza (nee Zaro), Late Gabee Ansey (nee Zaro), Late Uni Zaro, Late Jimmy Wailu, Late Sodom Zaro, Late Maier Zaro, Late Gabebee Gesa (nee Zaro), Late Laura Kudub (nee Zaro), Late Enemarki Zaro, Late Tulu Tapim (nee Zaro), and Late Nunu Zaro.

Enemarki married Gagee (nee Kubub) from Mer Island, they had 13 children: Serai Ghee (nee Zaro), Late Maureen Matakia (nee Zaro), Lesigo Ghee (nee Day), Dulcie Whaleboat (nee Zaro), Patrick Zaro, Gabee Taylor (nee Zaro), Loretta Zaro, Carmilla Wailu, Lenny Zaro, Lydia Marou (nee Zaro), Kaddy Zaro, Kevin Zaro, Francis Zaro.

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Love and Family

A man, dearly loved by all his family, with strong Christian beliefs, good morals and integrity.

His health and fitness was top priority, not once did an illness bring him down only death. He was determined to survive and maintain a strong healthy life, surrounded by love.

On April 22, 1939, Papa married Gagee Kudub at Mer Island, after marriage they made their first home at Webok Villiage - Mer Island.

Relocating from Webok Village - Mer Island where their children was raised until the 1970's, Enemarki and his wife made a home in Townsville before moving to Ayr.

Most of his siblings and other family members died at an early age for him, however, his role expanded; he became a father figure to many during his time.

Papa lost the love of his life at the age of 75 years in Ayr and buried his wife in Ayr. He remained a widower for the remaining years.

Each family member shares good stories from a man with wealth of traditional knowledge.

Papa was always surrounded by family, love, happiness and excitement, never a dull moment in his life. He relocated back to his original home at Webok Village - Mer Island few years after his wife died, however, he spent his last seven years of life with his youngest daughter Lydia, son-in-law Tebay and their son Mimi in Townsville until he passed away at the Townsville General Hospital on February 7, 2014.

A Proud Dauareb Elder who will be missed dearly and never forgotten by those who knew him.

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"Zageth Matha Ulaik"

Papa Zaro was a traditional Meriam gardener in his early days, a seafaring man who knew the home reefs of Mer, Dauar and Waier like the back of his hands.

He later moved to mainland Australia like most Torres Strait Islander's looking for better employment opportunities, working on the railway laying tracks and other duties in Western Australia and Queensland until he retired at the age of 65 years.

Papa's favourite motto - "Zageth Matha Ulaik"; after retirement from the railway he worked as a screen printer in Ayr (Queensland) for many years, a few odd jobs on the side to keep his family together, plus to keep active and healthy. Papa was an active and social man who helped those in need and loved his garden work.

At the age of 95 years, his health started to decrease and his physical activity was minimised, bed bound two months before passing away at the age of 96 years.

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Last member of Mer volunteers in Light Infantry

Enemarki was one of the few remaining Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion who served in WWII.

Of the 880 men in the Torres Strait Light infantry Battalion, there are only three remaining today.

Enemarki was one of 116 members from Mer, which had the highest recruitment of soldiers who served with the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion during WWII.

He was the last surviving member from the Mer volunteers until his death.

Enemarki was a member of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion which assisted the Australian Defence Force and Allied forces in their fight to protect Australia from 1942-45.

This unit was unique, being the only Indigenous Australian battalion ever formed by the Australian Army.

Papa stood proud alongside his compatriots and Australian solders in defence of Australia against the looming invasion by the Japanese Imperial Defence Force in the darkest days of World War II.

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Enemarki Zaro a proud Veteran on ANZAC Day

By Alf Wilson

At age 92, Murray Islander Enemarki Zaro looked a proud man as he sat in a military Jeep during the ANZAC Day parade in Townsville as more than 40,000 men, women and children lined the streets along the Strand.

People clapped and cheered the veterans and sitting behind Mr Zaro was his son-in-law Tebay Marou during the 45-minute march which commenced at 9.30am.

When the long procession finally came to an end at Anzac Park, Mr Zaro and Mr Marou sat under a covered area for VIP guests as spitting rain fell.

Mr Zaro is among the oldest living members of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion which served with distinction during World War II. He was reportedly the oldest veteran at the entire Townsville event.

"I can remember serving on Horn Island during the war," he told the Torres News.

His daughter, Lydia Marou, grandson Mimi Marou, aged 12, and nephew Patrick Neliman and close relative Mavis Neliman were all with Mr Zaro at the completion of the event around noon.

The march was broadcast on ABC Radio by John Nutting with assistance' from retired Brigadier Neil Weekes.

"Indigenous people have played a major role in our defence forces even back before they were given the right to vote," Brig. Weekes said.

Hundreds of people of Torres Strait Island descent were amongst the crowd including many youngsters amongst the marchers from 34 local schools.

Townsville Mayor Les Tyrell said that the event was growing in popularity and said it was the longest march he had ever seen in the city.

After the speeches by members of the Armed Forces and dignitaries, the Last Post was played in respect for those who have fallen in war.

Mr Zaro vowed to be back in 2011.

Sources

VALE: ENEMARKI MATTHEW ZARO 22/11/1917 - 7/02/14 (2014, February 24). Torres News, p.4.

Enemarki Zaro a proud Veteran on ANZAC Day (2010, May 5). Torres News, p.12.