Bernard Namok Jr was just ten years old when his dad sent in a sketch to design the Torres Strait Islander flag.
He recalls the evenings in 1992 when his father would sit in their Thursday Island home and draw.
"I'm the oldest child in my family, so I remember him doing the sketches, he'd stay up late at night sometimes and into the early hours of the evening," he told NITV.
"We were living at my grandma's two-bedroom unit, my grandma, my mum and dad, my sister and me. Dad would sit at the dining table and draw. I have flashbacks to those memories of him."
Less than a year later, his father's design was crowned the winner, cemented as the official design of the Torres Strait flag.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to celebrate the success.
"He designed the flag in May of 1992, and in September of 1993 he passed away. He didn't get to live to see it become the Torres Strait flag," Bernard said.
"He didn't get to see what it became or see people like Patty Mills carrying it overseas.
"He'd be pretty surprised how far the flag is flown. Back then he wouldn't have thought of it ever being this big. He would be so proud."
Bernard has spent much of his life ensuring his father's story and his contribution to his homeland and his people are remembered. He has helped create a radio documentary and a film documentary.
Now, alongside award-winning author and Torres Strait Island man Thomas Mayo, Bernard has turned that story into a children's book.
The book, Our Flag, Our Story: The Torres Strait Islander Flag, was a two-and-a-half year project between the pair which all began with a phone call from Thomas.
As a young Torres Strait Islander teenager growing up on the mainland, the creation of the flag helped Thomas connect to his homelands.
"I'm a Torres Strait Islander who grew up on the mainland in Darwin," he explained.
"When the flag came to be in 1993, it was really special to me . . . It gave me a connection to home, while I was practising my culture. It gave me colour and pride."
Despite having many books already to his name, Thomas said this one was most important because "it's about home".
"I'm really happy the book is out there not just in the Torres Strait but across Australia," he said.
Grandson of Bernard Namok Snr, John Manas, was proud to read the book to the crowds at the launch on Waiben. Credit: Carli Willis/NITV
Born on Thursday Island and raised in Brisbane, Tori-Jay's talent is renowned with her portraits of the Torres Strait 8 being projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons as part of this year's Vivid Festival.
She told NITV she was "over the moon" to work on the children's book.
"I'd been wanting to do a project like this for so long . . it's an absolute honour."
During the creative process, she visited the Torres Strait to visit family across the islands. Reconnecting to home reinvigorated the artist and "resparked" her energy.
"When I came back, I completely changed so much in the book," she laughed.
"I got like new inspirations, had new ideas."
Sharing this story was special for Tori-Jay who often dresses in the colours or wears earrings that feature the flag.
"The flag makes me feel connected, connected to family and community," she explained.
"I'll wear earrings and still today have people come up and ask what they are. These people are Australian as well . . . so having a book like this out there, it's not only exciting for our community but it's an educational avenue for some people who never took much time to dive into the history of our flag or its meaning."
Young Christopher Ward observes the vibrant illustrations in the book.
For Bernard, the children's book is just one part of his and his family's legacy.
"When people say to me, how come you don't have kids? Or, you won't leave anything behind, I say to them . . . I consider the three projects, the book, the radio documentary and the film documentary, my kids.
"These three things will outlive me, they'll still be around beyond my grave. I'm very proud.
"32 years after the flag has been flown, and I'm making sure that Dad's name, and his legacy, isn't forgotten."
The book was launched at an event on Thursday Island, during Reconciliation Week and on the eve of the day the Torres Strait flag was officiated, May 29.
