Robert Poipoi
Clan: Aith Koedal Clan of Saibai Island.
Totem: Koedal (Crocodile)
Wind: Sager Gub (South Easterly)
Constellation: Ee (the Southeast Star)
Warrant Officer Class 2
51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment
Australian Army
Medals and Awards:
Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection
Defence Long Service Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Commendation award from the Chief of Army 2004
I was born and raised in the Northern Peninsula Area (Bamaga), on Cape York, only 30 km from the northern most tip of the Australian mainland. I am a direct descendant of my grandparents who were one of the first pioneers of the exodus from Saibai Island to the Mutee Heads on the west coast of Cape York on the mainland of Australia after WW2 in 1947. This was because Saibai in the Torres Strait experienced unusually high tides after WW2. I have strong Saibai heritage on my mother’s side, and also a touch of Sri Lankan/Indian heritage on my grandmother’s side and Scottish/South African on my biological father’s. I left school in 1985 and began an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic with the Department of Community Services. After getting my certificate in 1990, I enlisted in the Australian Army Reserve into the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment (Charlie Company). I was influenced to make this choice by my older brothers who were serving in the 49th Battalion Royal Queensland Regiment and my grandfather, Private Au Poi Poi, from Saibai, who served in the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion during WW2.
I have served for 34 years, and my current rank is Warrant Officer Class 2. My role in the unit is a Patrol Master as part of the Regional Force Surveillance Group protecting Australia’s North. A majority of our battalion’s personnel are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the Cape and Torres Strait. Our deep personal and cultural connections are always utilised with our local communities to enhance our surveillance and reconnaissance operations to protect Australia’s borders. In the Battalion, Warrant Class 2 Officer Aaron Sebasio and I also perform the role of Company Elders to provide Cultural Advice and additional support for recruits and mentor young soldiers.
We regularly trained amongst Australia’s elite forces, the Special Air Service (SAS). We are grateful for the training and assistance in upgrading our skills that this elite force provides to us.
In 1997, I decided to start my own earth moving business and I bought a backhoe. Eventually, I was able to grow the business to employ 16 -20 local people operating multiple machines and trucks.
I’m very passionate about supporting training and education to improve the economic future of our communities. In 1997, I was elected as a Councillor for the Bamaga Island Council and served as the deputy chair from 1997 till 2004. During this time, along with Bamaga Council Chair Reginald Williams OAM and three other council members; Cr Clifford Wasiu and Cr Jonathon Yusia and the late Cr Jesse Sagaukaz, we co-founded and helped to set up Bamaga Enterprises Ltd (BEL). BEL is an independent, not-for-profit, Indigenous, community-owned, organisation that provides sustainable support for our local community through self-management and self-determination. Profits from the company go back into the community in the form of sponsorship, donations and infrastructure.
I have recently been elected as District Mayor for the Northern Peninsula Regional Council. I feel so privileged to have been given this opportunity to serve the people of the Northern Peninsula Area.
I recently got married in September 2023 to my beautiful partner, Hylda, who is Nurse Navigator. Between us we have nine grown-up children and 18 grandchildren. Apart from my community and Army Reserve activities, I love fishing from my boat, and spending time with my lovely grandchildren.