Tori-Jay Mordey Tori-Jay Mordey i(A152654 works by)
Born: Established: Thursday Island, Torres Strait Islands, Queensland, ;
Gender: Female
Heritage: Torres Strait Islander ; English
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

BiographyHistory

Tori-Jay, was born on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, the youngest of five children. Her mother Jessie is from Thursday Island and father Clive is from England. Jessie's family background is from Murray Island which is in the Eastern Island group in the Torres Strait and Badu in the Western Islands.

Tori-Jay grew up with a strong cultural influence from the Torres Strait; and her home environment is full of Torres Strait artefacts and her mother's artworks. Tori-Jay's mother, Jessie draws, paints and sculpts and makes dhari (Torres Strait Headdress), Kulap/Gorr and Pulga/Marap (a traditional dancing instrument).

Tori-Jay also has passion and talent for theatre, is an active member of Z Pac Theatre Productions in Hervey Bay. She danced in Queensland Creative Generation in 2009 and 2010, and successfully auditioned for drama in the 2012 production. This love has extended to theatre design, including costume, props and special effect make-up. (Source: State Library of Queensland website www.slq.qld.gov.au)

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Our Flag, Our Story : The Torres Strait Islander Flag Broome : Magabala Books , 2024 27651322 2024 single work picture book children's

'‘We are many different people in Australia, and we all live in one big country. What may seem like a simple flag to some people, has given all Torres Strait Islanders an identity and a sense of pride...’

'Bernard Namok Jnr was just a little boy when his dad designed the Torres Strait Islander Flag, a symbol of unity, shared identity and pride for all Torres Strait Islanders. This is the story of a flag and what it represents.

'Alongside Mordey’s stunning digital illustrations reflecting the vibrant colours of the Torres Strait, Namok Jnr and Mayo present an engaging, personal story that invites young readers to learn about the Torres Strait Islander peoples, place and culture. Our Flag, Our Story shares an essential piece of Australian and Torres Strait Islander history, accessible for all ages.' (Publication summary)

2024 winner Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards Indigenous Children
y separately published work icon In the City I See Broome : Magabala Books , 2018 12957947 2018 single work picture book children's

'In this delightful Early Childhood board book, Tori-Jay Mordey's graphic illustrations bring the city to life in all its colourful glory. Mordey's bold and painterly art style celebrates the pace of the cityscape, whether it be her built environment of tall buildings and big signs, or her moving panorama of long buses. With a fresh and youthful eye, Tori-Jay captures the quirky gait of walking dogs and a jittery assembly of hungry pigeons as they share the streets with happy buskers and lots of people!

'In the City I See is also a gentle snapshot of how our Indigenous culture is reflected in our cities. It will become a valuable and loved addition to family book collections and libraries in rural, regional and urban areas.' (Publication summary)

2018 shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards Birth to 3 Years
y separately published work icon In the City I See Broome : Magabala Books , 2018 12957947 2018 single work picture book children's

'In this delightful Early Childhood board book, Tori-Jay Mordey's graphic illustrations bring the city to life in all its colourful glory. Mordey's bold and painterly art style celebrates the pace of the cityscape, whether it be her built environment of tall buildings and big signs, or her moving panorama of long buses. With a fresh and youthful eye, Tori-Jay captures the quirky gait of walking dogs and a jittery assembly of hungry pigeons as they share the streets with happy buskers and lots of people!

'In the City I See is also a gentle snapshot of how our Indigenous culture is reflected in our cities. It will become a valuable and loved addition to family book collections and libraries in rural, regional and urban areas.' (Publication summary)

2018 shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards Birth to 3 Years
Last amended 24 Jun 2024 09:34:36
Other mentions of "" in AustLit:
    X