On March 5, 1899, Cyclone Mahina—the first recorded Category 5 tropical cyclone in Australia—struck the Torres Strait pearling fleet off Cape Melville on the Cape York Peninsula.  They eye of the cyclone was preceded by a very large storm tide, which, according to eyewitnesses, left dolphins and sharks atop 15 metre cliffs and garnered the lowest barometric pressure ever recorded on the Queensland coast, crossed the coast through Bathurst Bay.

The devastation (the worst in Australian maritime history)  was overwhelming: 73 vessels wrecked and a death toll in excess of 300 people.  Aboard one of vessels was a young Erub (Darney) Island woman, Muara Lifu Wacando.  She had recently wed pearl diver William Wacando and together they were celebrating their honeymoon on one of the ill-fated luggers.

In the midst of the cyclone's fury, Muara set about the seemingly impossible task of swimming to shore.  She not only battled raging seas for nearly seven hours, but she carried two white sailors on her back for almost 4 kilometres before safely reaching shore. It was one of the most heroic feats recorded in Australia’s maritime history.  As a recognition of her incredible courage, the Royal Humane Society awarded her its gold medal.  The first Indigenous person to do so in the history of the award.

Following her death in 1930, Muara’s legacy was honoured by the people of Erub Island. Over her resting place on Thursday Island, a beautiful memorial was created, made from coral and adorned with mother-of-pearl, lovingly crafted by the Erub Island community. Her bravery continues to be remembered as a symbol of strength and resilience within the Torres Strait and beyond.