Kirriri
Kirriri (Hammond Island) is a 15 minute ferry ride from Thursday Island and is a hilly island, with mounds of basaltic rocks.
A reserve was established here in 1881 and Parry-Okeden and Roth were appointed trustees of the reserve in February 1900.
Hammond is also known as Keriri by the traditional people of the Kaurareg and belongs to the Thursday Island Group. Members of the Kaurareg people were forcibly removed to the village of Poid on Moa Island in 1921 and 1922.
Hammond became the pearling station headquarters for a short time until its relocation to Thursday Island, and earlier in the 20th century, gold was mined here. A cattle industry was then set up to supply the population of Thursday Island.
In 1929 a Catholic Mission was established for the children of the Filipinos and Malays, whose forefathers were brought to the Torres Straits as indentured labour.
Location Details
Population
250 residents
Language
The language spoken on Hammond Island is the Kalau Kawau Ya dialect and Creole.
Transport
People can travel to and from the community by helicopter (charter operators), ferry (commercial or charter operators), or by boat (private).
Goods are transported by sea and air freight.
Council office opening hours
Monday to Friday: 9am – 4pm
Outside school care hours
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
3pm – 5pm
Tuesday
2pm – 5pm
Vacation care hours
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 4:30pm
Council facilities
- Airport
- After-hours school care
- Basketball court
- Sport and recreation complex
- Council office
- Marine infrastructure
Accommodation
No accommodation available
Contact Details
12 Francis Road, Kirriri (Hammond Island), QLD 4875 Australia
