The Late Bernard Namok - designer of the Torres Strait flag - was recently honoured at a gathering to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Torres Strait flag at Thursday Island.

A memorial to Mr Namok was unveiled and a plaque installed at Front Beach.

IRCA Board Member and TEABBA Radio Broadcaster and Station Manager, Bernard Namok Jnr, attended and read out his father's speech that is now engraved on the monument. He is currently researching a documentary about his father.

"My father had a strong cultural upbringing and a passion for the arts and culture. He designed the flag after many long talks with my grandfather Eddie Pau who was very politically active and was involved in the 1967 referendum movement.

In the evenings, the dining table would be transformed into a workstation and the flag was launched at the Sixth Torres Strait Cultural Festival.

The flag has since travelled to many places around the world and now flies on top of government buildings around Australia. It has opened doors for our people and has made a difference in our society as well as allowed us to be strong and stand tall."