A proud Fijian-Australian. Talei is the founder of Fire in the Belly Consultants. She has over 20 years of experience working across Government, the legal sector and not for profit organisations (Australian and international). Talei firmly believes communities bring substantial expertise, knowledge and leadership across all areas of life.

She is passionate about supporting and facilitating opportunities for diverse communities to connect with each other and with Government (where necessary).

A proud NZ born Samoan with her lineage connecting to the villages of Manunu, Fagamalo and Leauva’a. Co-Founder and Director of Charis Mentoring and formerly the Manager of Culturally Responsive Practice at Parkville College. She is a graduate in Applied Science and Post-grad Diploma of Teaching.

Taua is passionate about program design and strategic community development. She co-designed Tautai Lead, Charis Mentoring’s flagship secondary schools Pasifika mentoring program.

Tia is a proud NZ born Samoan who comes from the villages of Vailoa, Aleipata; Satupa’itea, Pitonu’u. He is the co-founder and Director of Charis Mentoring. Tia formerly worked as the Student Voice coordinator for Parkville College, Melbourne.

Tia is passionate about Youth work and has extensive experience working across both NZ and Australia. He is also passionate about Rugby, and has achieved many accolades in coaching and playing including 2 test caps for Manu Samoa.

Daniel is of Tongan descent and is a highly recognised facilitator, trainer, consultant and motivational speaker. Founder & CEO of Incremental Project, offering broad based multidimensional programs that promote health and wellbeing. His programs focus on creating positive culture change throughout all facets of society.

Dan also co-developed and facilitated the Quilt Program for Rugby Victoria. endorsed by Brett Gosper, Chief Executive of World

Ane Tupou Fifita is an Australian born Tongan, from the villages of Nuapapu, Vava’u & Kolonga, Tongatapu. She is currently a Research Assistant at La Trobe University where she works on various Pasifika focused research projects.

Ane is also the Vice President for Pacific Connections Inc , a non-profit organisation aimed at connecting & supporting Pasifika communities. She is most passionate about working with the Pasifika diaspora in Australia, advocating for better support infrastructures and resources that enable our Pasifika diasporic communities to thrive and excel.

Ane also provides facilitation and advisory support to organisations that run education & cultural competency programs in the Pacific region. She has served on numerous Pasifika lead boards & advisory groups.

A proud Fijian Australian nurse, educator and author of the ‘Colour Outside The Lines, One Girl, Two Tribes,’ ‘The Wellbeing@Work Journal’ and ‘Children Of The 12 Tribes.’ She has worked with Oceania Indigenous communities since 1992, in health, safety, community development, disaster response, human rights, wellbeing and diversity sectors.

Bernie is the Group Manager, Health Safety & Wellbeing, for Scope Australia, member of Pacific Women’s Indigenous Network.; Founder/Director of Diversity Network Australia.

Bernie lives in Melbourne with her husband John and their three children and is committed to ‘empowering people of all cultures and colours, one story and one tribe at a time.’

A Samoan-Australian from the villages of Avao & Faleula, Salelesi and Safotu.

Rev Faama Is the minister of the Uniting Church of Australia at the Hoppers Crossing congregation located in the City of Wyndham, Melbourne.

His ministerial work brings him into contact with diverse communities including the Pacific diaspora as well as the many Pacific focused community organisations. He would love for you to hit him up if your are ever visiting Melbourne -the worlds most liveable city.

From the villages of Gataivai & Satupa’itea, Samoa

Luai is currently the Program Manager for Berry Street, at the Orange Door in North East Melbourne Area (NEMA).

She has extensive experience in community organisations; leading teams, stakeholders and programs in consultations, family development and strategic community change projects.

Luai is committed to service excellence that is underpinned by “ole ala ile pule ole tautua” Leadership through service.

Born in Samoa and moved to Australia in 1980 with his famlly and currently living in Melbourne with his wife and 4 children.

Penaia is currently the Samoan worship leader at the Sunshine Uniting Church and works as a Multicultural Aide at the Western English Language School (WELS). He is also a supporting member for the Brimbank Rugby Union Club in the Western Suburbs; an initiative birthed out of a community call to action for greater Pasifika youth wellbeing.

Penaia’s heart felt desire is to “help Samoan people to reconnect to our Samoan family values, on a journey to a reconciled future with our God.”

Born and raised in Te Tairawhiti, Turanganui a Kiwa. Marie grew up in Puhi Kaiti and Makauri. Although she affiliates to many iwi she spent most of her upbringing amongst her Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Ngati Porou whanau.

Marie is currently the Team Leader for Arndell Park Community Centre, Neighbourhood Hubs Wyndham City Council. Former roles within Council include Senior Youth Support Officer and Multicultural Officer. Marie is one of the founding members of VOCA - Victoria Oceania Community Alliance

Her passion is to raise the community voice that initiates changes for us and by us. ‘Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari, he toa takitini’ My strength is not that of an individual but, that of many.

Lavinia Pongi is Tongan by origin and was born in Canberra, ACT. She spent her Primary School years in Tonga before relocating to Melbourne and moved back and forth. Nia later moved to Suva, Fiji after VCE where she spent 3 years before moving settling in Melbourne. Nia has spent the last 18 years working in the Not for Profit sector being a support back office staff to frontline staff in Allied Health especially around mental health.

My favourite quote is from the late ‘Epeli Hau’ofa ‘Just as the sea is an open and ever flowing reality, so should our oceanic identity transcend all forms of insularity, to become one that is openly searching, inventive, and welcoming’.