In Australia at events such as this, it is customary to pay respect to elders past, present and emerging, acknowledging and celebrating their culture and deep connection to land and water.  

Tonight, here in Tiapapata, I would like to similarly acknowledge traditional custodians of your lands and water.  

I celebrate your Samoan culture and your deep commitment to looking after your natural heritage.   

Yumalundi – or hello in Ngunnawal language, the language of the traditional custodians of my home in Canberra. 

Talofa lava and warm greetings to you all.  Thank you very much for joining Hugo, Matilda, Charles, and I on this special evening. 

It’s an honour for me to host you all in our home as we celebrate the partnership between Australia and Samoa, and the deep friendships we’ve formed, as I conclude my term as High Commissioner.  

And what a time it has been. My family and I all feel truly honoured to have made our home in Samoa for just a few years, particularly at this point in Samoa’s history. 

For the past year, in rare quiet moments, I’ve had tonight’s speech in the back of my mind. 

Reflecting on what we’ve achieved together.  What we’ve learned from one another.  And the trajectory of our partnership into the future. 

The more I’ve reflected, the more I come back to a very simple idea that has been at the heart of the success of the Samoa-Australia partnership. 

And that is – we are better when we work together. 

I presented my credentials to le Afioga i le Ao o le Malo Tuimalealiifano during a global pandemic, a period marked by profound uncertainty. 

I also arrived as Samoa experienced its first change in government in 40 years – uncharted waters for Samoa’s modern history which tested the mettle of your nation’s democracy. 

In part because of these challenges, I witnessed the true Samoan spirit. A spirit built on community, culture and faith. 

This spirit has been instrumental in the success of our work together. 

Before I highlight some of these successes, I’d like to first offer some personal reflections of what I will carry with me when I depart.   

Here in Samoa, I've gained valuable insights that have shaped my understanding of what it means to be a leader, as well as the power of community to drive meaningful change. 

Learning more about your traditional governance systems, and the way in which fa’a Samoa and the Matai system intersect with modern democracy and the legal system.  Seeing how it operates has offered a different view on leadership – something Australia can learn from. 

Equally significant has been the role of Samoa’s women. I have been privileged to have worked with wise and strong women in my role, many of whom are here with us this evening.  

I give particular acknowledgement to Prime Minister Fiame – who isn’t able to join us tonight – and the role model she is for the people of Samoa and beyond.  

As to our partnership, it’s been a privilege in representing the Australian Government to support and promote your voice, knowledge and sovereignty.  

We recognise the enduring wisdom of Pacific voices – including Samoa – that has driven the prosperity of our region for hundreds of years; from the great era of voyaging, to addressing today’s contemporary challenges. 

As we work to address these challenges, we must ensure that voices, no matter where they are from or the size of their country, are heard. 

There are many great things about our partnership that amplifies Samoan voices.  

Through our partnership with UN Women, Samoa Land Corporation and the Markets for Change program, we have elevated the voices of market stall holders in Savaii, supporting the establishment of a Salelologa Market Vendors Association.   

On a different scale, we’ve supported Pacific advocacy globally, such as supporting more than 50 Pacific delegates to attend this year’s COP28 in Dubai. We were pleased to announce at COP28 a contribution of $100 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility.  This Pacific-built fund will support locally led, small-scale projects across the region. 

Prime Minister Fiame’s visit to Australia earlier this year as a guest of the Australian Government was an invaluable opportunity for Australians to listen, learn, and be inspired by her voice and unique perspective. 

And of course, we cannot forget the power of a collective voice, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, of which Australia is proud to be a founding member. 

I’ve been so inspired by Samoa’s unyielding commitment to regionalism that I’m pleased to say that I’ll be working with Elizabeth Peak in DFAT’s Office of the Pacific as Assistant Secretary with responsibility for the Pacific Islands Forum and climate change. 

I have no doubt I will carry my learnings from Samoa to contribute to Australia’s long-standing membership of this important Pacific institution. And I acknowledge Tuiloma Neroni Slade with us tonight, whose wisdom I have very much appreciated.  

When we listen to these voices – whether from the koko plantation farmer in Savaii, to your leaders at the malae o Tiafau – we gain valuable knowledge to inform our collective work. 

And we know just how powerful your knowledge can be.  As my close colleague Peseta Noumea Simi has described to us so eloquently, we support a vision for Samoa that takes full advantage of Samoa’s own knowledge, capabilities, and strengths, looking first within before seeking support from development partners – empowering your independence.  

In this spirit, we have pivoted our development program, establishing locally led partnerships that deliver on Samoa’s priorities and aspirations.  Our work through Tautua and Tautai, two pivotal partnerships between our nations, reflects our dedication to building thriving communities under Samoa’s vision and leadership. While it isn’t always the sexy stuff, we’re proud to be supporting Samoa’s efforts to lift those most vulnerable. Addressing the climate crisis is an urgent task. We recognize the invaluable contributions of Samoa and Pacific expertise, including indigenous and traditional knowledge, in devising innovative solutions to our shared environmental challenges. 

That’s why we’re committed to supporting initiatives that incorporate your knowledge and perspectives for the betterment of your communities. For instance, projects like the Reefcloud monitoring tool leverage traditional ecological knowledge to restore and conserve Samoa’s precious reefs. 

Our support also extends to Pacific-led organisations, as evidenced by our core funding for SPREP, fostering vital activities and advocacy with funding certainty.  

Through our Australia Awards scholarships, we’ve seen Samoan students and professionals bring their unique perspectives and insights to Australian institutions, contributing significantly to a diverse academic environment.   

In turn, these scholars return to Samoa with new skills and knowledge, ready to apply these in ways that resonate with Samoa’s needs.   

We’re excited to be offering 44 scholarships for 2024, in Australia, regionally and virtually. And we’re pleased to have worked in partnership with the Public Service Commission to make sure these opportunities deliver for Samoa’s broader objectives. 

And there have been countless sporting marvels to enjoy. After navigating the challenge of the pandemic, it is great to see the PacificAus Sports program really coming into its own, providing support across a range of sports for Samoan and Pacific teams to compete internationally – from weightlifters to paddlers to the Manu Samoa. And congratulations for Samoa’s performance at the Pacific Games. 

Of course, our new Bilateral Partnership Arrangement commits us to respecting each other as sovereign states. 

And we are proud to have been security partners since at least 1988.  Providing sovereign assets to manage your own waters.  

As we look to the future, our security partnership continues to grow, and we look forward to the arrival of Nafanua III to support Samoa’s efforts to protect and monitor your precious marine resources and respond to the impacts of transnational crime. 

It was great to have Minister Faualo and Commissioner Auapa’au in Australia just a few weeks ago to accept the delivery of Nafanua III on behalf of Samoa, and I hope this delivery will contribute to our broader shared vision of a safe, secure and prosperous Blue Pacific. 

Entering its 15th year, the Samoa-Australia Policing Partnership is supporting Samoa’s preparations for hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later next year, with investments in critical infrastructure like the Emergency Radio Network and the installation of CCTV, and important training modules. 

I am sorry I won’t be here in person for Samoa’s CHOGM, but I will be keeping an eye on the exciting event from afar. We know how important it is to come together to collaborate and work in partnership to create opportunities and address shared challenges, so I wish Samoa the very best as you continue your preparations for CHOGM.  

As too many around the world continue to face conflict and precarity this Christmas, I can’t help but reflect on the blessings of the Samoa-Australia partnership and its contribution to a shared Pacific that is peaceful, safe and prosperous.  

Acting Prime Minister, Ministers, all – thank you. I have great hopes for the future of the Samoa-Australia partnership. 

A particular thank you to Peseta and the amazing team at Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Your commitment to Samoa’s voice regionally and globally is impressive.  

To my team at the Australian High Commission, our whole of Australian Government Family and incredible team of locally engaged staff – well I couldn’t have asked for better. Thank you for your friendship and dedication. I’ll very much miss working with you all. 

To all the people I’ve met and worked with – thank you for your kindness and hospitality, and for helping us make Samoa our home. 

Last, but definitely not least, thank you to my family – Hugo, Matilda and Charles. These diplomatic posts bring both challenges and opportunities for families. Thank you for your support for me, and I acknowledge your own journey in beautiful Samoa, as my kids had their graduation assembly from Vaiala Beach School today.  

In conclusion, I reflect on the Samoan proverb, "Tautua nei mo se taeao manuia," which I’m told means “Serve now for a better tomorrow."  

This encapsulates the essence of our collective efforts and aspirations. The work we have embarked on together, the seeds we have planted, are all in the hope of a flourishing future. 

I know my successor will carry forward our rewarding partnership with the same spirit of collaboration and commitment to ensuring a better tomorrow. 

Faafetai, faafetai, faafetai tele lava, Samoa.  Soifua ma ia manuia.