TNQ Drought Hub
James Cook University Australia
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Connecting Culture and Climate at the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival

Key takeaways

  • Drought and climate resilience look different across regions – in the Torres Strait, challenges like water and food security are key priorities, showing that climate preparedness must reflect local conditions and lived experiences.
  • Connection and collaboration build stronger futures. By engaging with events like the Winds of Zenadth Festival, the TNQ Drought Hub strengthens relationships with First Nations communities, creating networks that support knowledge sharing and climate adaptation.
  • First Nations leadership is central to resilience. Supporting Indigenous businesses, cultural practices, and community-led solutions ensures remote regions can access the tools, expertise and partnerships needed to adapt to a changing climate

Program Coordinator Jen McHugh recently represented the TNQ Drought Hub’s Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program (SATSIE) at the 2025 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival on Thursday Island (Waibene) in the Torres Strait.

The SATSIE program focuses on supporting innovation and strengthening the resilience and capacity of First Nations communities, businesses and institutions.

For Jen, being part of an event as unique and vibrant as the festival was a powerful reminder that drought means different things to different people.

“It was vital for the TNQ Drought Hub to be at the Zenadth Cultural Festival and connect with people in this unique part of Australia,” Jen said.

“While the word drought may not always feel directly applicable in the Torres Strait, the region faces critical challenges in water and food security. These are areas where we can listen, learn, and contribute practical knowledge and support.”
2025 Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival

Held every two years, the Winds of Zenadth Festival brings together traditional dances, boat races, keynote forums and a re-created traditional village, making it one of Australia’s most distinctive cultural celebrations.

The Cape York and Torres Strait regions are home to some of the country’s most remote communities. This isolation presents unique challenges for delivering drought and climate resilience services, whether it’s strengthening land-based livelihoods, improving water and food security, or ensuring access to reliable climate information.

By taking part in events like Zenadth, the TNQ Drought Hub is helping to build stronger networks and partnerships with Indigenous businesses and community leaders. These connections are vital for sharing knowledge, improving understanding of climate impacts, and supporting communities to prepare for the future.

“Being at this festival allows us to strengthen relationships, share expertise, and work alongside communities to build resilience for the future,” Jen said.

Drought may look different on an island compared to the inland, but the underlying challenge is the same: preparing now for a changing climate and ensuring that every community, no matter how remote, has the tools and knowledge to adapt.