Uncle Billy Gagai is an Elder from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait with linkages to Badu Island, also in the Torres Strait. 

Uncle Billy, like a lot of people, was reluctant to get vaccinated against COVID-19.  

But after thinking about the problem, assessing his current health, and seeing what was happening in other parts of Australia, Uncle Billy made the choice to get the jab. 

Uncle Billy recalls, “I said, ‘well I’m getting old so why not?’” 

“My kids didn’t want me to take the jab,” he said. 

“So I took a jab because what’s going on around the world especially in Australia.  

“But I wanted to have my jab so I can travel, see?” 

Billy said it’s important for everyone to get the jab because it’s the best way to protect ourselves from the COVID-19 virus. 

“If people don’t take it we won’t get this COVID-19 down,” he said.  

“It’s still going because people are still going through without getting vaccinated.” 

As a man who yarns with his people a lot, there is one message he tells mob over and over again. 

“I tell them, ‘don’t be frightened.’  

“You’re better off being vaccinated now than at a later date.  

“It’s best to do it now.  

“We all know that life is too short so take it.” 

For more information or to make an appointment to get vaccinated contact ATSICHS Mackay.