Invaluable and durable economic partnership celebrated

The rain on Monday night did not hamper the celebration of this year’s Australia Day held at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence.

The celebration was well attended by key government officials headed by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, members of the diplomatic corps, and other guests.

In her address, Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Sue Langford, shared that Australia day is a celebration of diversity and tolerance. “It is a day where Australians embrace multicultural Australia including all ethnic backgrounds, racial differences and political viewpoints,” she said.

“Australia is truly a multi cultural society providing a home to people originating from some 200 countries including around 20000 born in Samoa and around 55 thousand of Samoan ancestry.”

“Though 26 January marks this specific event, today Australia Day celebrations reflect contemporary Australia: our diverse society and landscape, our remarkable achievements and our bright future. It also is an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history,”

“Australians are the grateful inheritance of two rich strands of history, a colonial heritage and an Aboriginal one along with millions of settlers from around the world who made their home Australia.“

The High Commissioner also shared Samoa and Australia’s ‘very close and constructive relationship.”

Australia first established an High Commission in Samoa in September 1977.

The relationship between the two countries encompasses trade and commerce, education, sport, development, defence, police cooperation and employment.

“Importantly Australia and Samoa enjoy a wide growing range of people to people links especially through churches.

Also furthering our people to people links (are) Australian volunteers who have been coming to Samoa for over 25 years now sharing skills and ideas and learning valuable skills themselves.”

There are around 40 Australian volunteers working in government ministries and non government organizations.

“People to people links have also developed through education. This year, Australia provided 40 new scholarships to Samoan tertiary students.

Since 2002 300 Samoan students have graduated with scholarships from regional and Australian institutions.”

“People to people links have also been enhanced by the seasonal worker program.

Since July 2012 over 250 Samoans have worked in Australia under the program and Samoan workers are developing a very strong reputation.”

“Australia is proud to be a major development partner in Samoa and we are committed to working together in areas such as education, infrastructure development, gender and health. It is through our aid program which is very much a partnership with Samoa that Australia seeks to contribute sustainable economic growth and raise the standard of living for all Samoans.”

In response, P.M. Tuilaepa expressed his gratitude for the ‘invaluable and durable economic partnership that Australia has generously extended to help Samoa’s development efforts.’

“Australia has also consistently come to Samoa’s help when major natural disasters struck.”

Samoa works closely with Australia on matters affecting the Pacific as well as global issues that impact on both countries and the region we look forward to further strengthening this crucial dimension of our relationship, Australia is a very important tourism trade market for Samoa.”

Tuilaepa added that the seasonal worker scheme is gaining momentum “offering important political benefits for both countries.”

In closing, he offered a toast to the success of Samoa and Australia’s relationship.

Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788