The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, have congratulated twenty-two recipients of the Honours and Awards of Samoa, recognising their “service and contribution to Samoa and its people.”
The award winners, recommended and endorsed by the Honours and Awards Committee, were applauded during an Investiture Ceremony held at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum at Vailima last night.
His Highness Tui Atua presented the awards while Prime Minister Tuilaepa, who delivered the Keynote Address, congratulated the recipients.
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Among them was the recipient of a posthumous award, the late Magi Herman Westerlund, who received the Order of Samoa. The award was accepted by his son, Lemalu Ray Ah Liki, on behalf of the family.
Tuilaepa said the honours and awards is testament of the “valuable contribution” made by the winners “in various fields of endeavour and development that have elevated this country and its people.”
“The task of nominating those deserving of awards was not an easy one as they need to clarify and justify the awarding of these prestigious awards,” Tuilaepa said.
“I am glad to announce this evening that their hard work has paid off as Cabinet following its deliberation approved and endorsed the list of the recommended nominees.”
According to the Prime Minister, the ceremony held last night was normally scheduled during the time of the Independence celebrations.
However, with Parliament passing of the Honours and Awards Act 1999, the date was changed and the award is now held every five years, as opposed to every year.
The honours' recipients and award winners were selected from various fields, including sports.
Papali’itele Dr. Benjamin and Taffy Gould’s contributions to the medical field were recognised with Honorary Orders of Merit.
They were joined by Tilafaiga Rex Maughan for his work at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.
Long serving former diplomat and public servant, Fe’esago Siaosi Fepulea’i, was recognised with the Order of Samoa – First Class.
Two giants of the business industry were also acknowledged with Tupua Fred Wetzell and Leali'ie’e Rudy Ott both recognised with the Companion of the Order of Merit.
Five received the Order of Merit for outstanding contribution to their fields of expertise.
Among them were businessmen, Alistair Leighton Hutchinson and Walter Jan Vermeulen. They were joined by the Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer Newspaper Group, Savea Sano Malifa and two legendary sports figures in Seiuli Paul Wallwork and Muliagatele Brian Lima.
The head of Women in Business, Adimaimalaga Tafuna’i received the Member of the Order of Samoa.
Completing the Honours list were four winners of the Head of State’s Service Order; Professor Pelenatete Stowers, Aumua Mata’itusi Simanu, Te’o Uelese Sagala, Su’a Frieda Paul and four winners of the Head of State’s Service Medal; Ae'au Lafaiali’i, Lei’ataua Punivalu, Moti Tua’iaufa’i Amosa and former Manu Samoa Sevens Captain, Vala Uale Ma’i.
Archibishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga conducted the prayer service while the Chairman of the Honours and Awards Committee, Asi Tuiataga Blakelock, rounded off the formalities for the evening before the award winners celebrated with families and friends.
HONOURS LIST
Honorary Awards (noncitizen of Samoa) Order of Merit
• Papali’itele Dr. C.S. Benjamin
• Taffy Gould
• Tilafaiga Rex Maughan
Head of State's Service Medal
• Sr. Margaret Chalichery Order of Samoa – First Class
• Fe’esago Siaosi Fepulea’i
Companion of the Order of Samoa
• Tupua Friedrich Wilhelm Wetzell
• Leali’ie’e Rudolf Henry Ott
Order of Merit
• Alistair Leighton Hutchinson (Honorary)
• Walter Jan Vermeulen (Honorary)
• Seiuli Paul Wallwork
• Savea Sano Malifa
• Muliagatele Brian Pala Lima Member of the Order of Samoa
• Adimailamaga Tafuna’i
Head of State’s Service Order
• Professor Pelenatete Stowers
• Aumua Mata’itusi Simanu
• Te’o Eteuati Uelese Sagala
• Su’a Frieda Margaret Keil–Paul
Head of State’s Service Medal
• A’eau Taulupo'o Lafaiali’i
• Lei’ataua Punivalu
• Moti Satuala Tua’iaufa’i Amosa
• Vala Uale Ma’i
Posthumous Award – Order of Samoa
• Magi Herman Westerlund
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