For 40years boat-man Alfred Martin tirelessly served the Redlands and Moreton Bay district; steering the steamer the Kaboora through sometimes dangerous seas to help others.
The late Mr Martin’s dedication and tireless service will forever be recognised after Redland City Council announced that a road on North Stradbroke Island would be named in his honour.
“The renaming of Trans-Island Link Road to Martin Way recognises the tremendous dedication of Mr Martin,” Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said.
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“There are many in the Redlands who owe Mr Martin a great debt, so I am proud that as a Council and a community we are able to recognise this through the dedication of a road in his honour. It is particularly fitting in the lead up to International Day of the World’s Indigenous People this Friday.
“As a highly skilled boat-man, Mr Martin served as chief engineer of the Queensland Government steamer for 40years, earning the admiration of residents for navigating his launch through every kind of weather to deliver supplies.
“He was renowned for rescuing shipwrecked survivors and transporting expectant mothers or sick passengers to the mainland hospital, often in treacherous conditions.
“On occasions he risked his own life to rescue people in danger and it is estimated he sailed more than half a million miles on Moreton Bay.”
During yesterday’s Council meeting Cr Williams paid tribute to Mr Martin’s family and said the dedication of Martin Way was also significant for the wider community.
“I would like to thank Mr Martin’s family, including his daughter Aunty Rose Borey and Mr Martin’s son Augustus (Tony), who succeeded him as a deckhand and was the third generation of the Martin family to be a Government boat-man,” she said.
“This move also acknowledges the local Aboriginal people’s continuous connection to the North Stradbroke Island, traditionally known as Minjerribah.”
Aunty Rose Borey, daughter of Mr Martin, addressed Council in Chambers as she delivered a moving speech to honour the extraordinary man her father was.
“Firstly, we would like to thank Redland City Council, Mayor Williams and the Councillors, who took an historical vote to rename a road, Martin Way,” she said.
“The family appreciate the Council’s respect and support given to make the family’s dream of ten years a reality. Mr Alfred Martin was a proud Gorenpul man for Quandamooka whose legacy will live on through the naming of Martin Way”.
Following yesterday’s decision Council will lodge an application with the State Government to formally recognise the change of the road name to Martin Way.
