15 Conferred Merit Awards for their Service to Samoa and People

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 31 MAY 2023: The Government has honored 15 people in recognition of their exemplary service and commitment to the development of Samoa and people. The ceremony was one of the final events to close the yearlong celebration of 60 years of independence on Thursday 31 May 2023.

The recipients are:

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi – Order of Merits
He was a Member of Parliament from 1966 and elected Prime Minister in 1976 – 1978, 1979 – 1982.  From 2004-2007, he was a Member of the Council of Deputies until his appointment as the Head of State from 2007-2017.

Tuatagaloa Asi Blakelock – Companion Order of Samoa
Tuatagaloa is 85 years old and has served as a police officer for 41 years from 1962 – 2003. He served as Police Commissioner from 1997 to 2003. He was Samoa’s High Commissioner to New Zealand from 2005-2011 and was a member of various Government committees.

Tuatagaloa Asi Blakelock, recipient of the Companion Order of Samoa with family after the presentation.

Gatoloaifaana Tilianamua Afamasaga – Companion Order of Samoa
Served as a teacher from 1984-1990 and was the Principal of the Samoa Teachers Training College from 1991-1997. From 1997 -2005 she headed the Education sector at the National University of Samoa, and the Professional Development sector at the University. She has served the Government for 50 years and is currently one of the Commissioners of the Public Service Commission.

Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe – Companion Order of Samoa
She is a registered nurse and served at the National Hospital from 1979-1998. She was appointed Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Health from 2005-2014 and headed the National Health Services of Samoa from 2016-2019. She was the Chairperson of the Samoa Qualifications Authority and is a member of the Land Transport Authority. She served Samoa for 40 years.

Gatoloaifaana Tilianamua Afamasaga and Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe recipients of the Companion Order of Samoa.

Tuatagaloa Folasaitu Joe Annandale – Companion Order of Samoa
Businessman and was General Manager of the OFNelson company from 1969- 1979. General Manager of Morris Hedstrom Samoa from 1979-1989. In 1994, he established the Sinalei Resort, the Poutasi Development Trust and spearhead opportunities for seasonal work abroad. His brother Tuala Tamalelagi Annandale accepted the honour on Tuatagaloa’s behalf.

Tusani Iosefatu Reti Tusani– Companion Order of Samoa
From 1986-1989 served as a Coordinator of SPREP programs. From 1989-1991, was an adviser in the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and continues to act as an advisor on conversation and preservation of the environment. He has served the Government for more than 47 years.

Brother Kevin O’Malley – Order of Merit
He started his mission in New Zealand then served in Samoa as a teacher, principal and Director of Education of Catholic Schools for 32 years. He was appointed Director of the Catholic schools in Samoa and American Samoa from 1979-1984 and successfully lobbied to include private and church school in the Government school grants. He was also a member of the Taskforce that established the National University of Samoa. He returned to Samoa early this year and started training teachers at St. Joseph’s college.

Brother Kevin O’Malley , recipient of the Order of Merit

Reverend Senara Tautiga – Order of Merit
He is 75 years old and has served at the Ministry of Works under the Lands and Survey division for many years before pursuing a religious ministry. He was Deputy Chairman for the EFKS church and later served as Chairman for 8 years. He was also the church General Secretary for 35 years. He is a pensioner and is currently a teacher at the Manukau Bible study.

Revend Tupu Folasa 11 – Order of Merits
Served as teacher for the Methodist Schools before becoming a church minister and served  at Sagone, Satapuala, Lufilufi and Matafele parishes. He served as the Church Secretary from 2006-2011 when he was appointed the President of the Methodist Church. He is a musician by profession and is well known for establishing the Sagone Youth Brass Band that has won major accolades in past independence celebrations.

Sister Imanuela Betham – Order of Merits
She served the Government from 1952-1953. She was one of the first Samoans to graduate from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji in 1973. She was the first Samoan Principal of the St. Marys College at Vaimoso from 1970-1981; then from 1987 -1997 and again in 2001. She then served in the Vatican, Rome before returning to teach at the Moamoa Theological College.

Asuao Tali Williams – Officer of the Order of Merit
He is 78 years old and served the Government as the Chief Executive Officer of the Fire Department for 10 years from 1980-1990. His time of service is noted by several huge fires that destroyed the Tivoli theatre, the Post Office and one of the gyms at Matautu during the South Pacific Games in 1983.

Luaipou Sally Betham, recipient of the Order of Merit.

Luaipou Sally Betham – Order of Merit
She is a registered nurse who graduated from New Zealand in 1958. She is 89 and is known for her service to the late Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili 11. She is the first woman Deacon of the Protestant Church and the Government acknowledges her 49 years of service in the Health sector.

Sapa’u Lilomaiava Lolesio Vitale – Order of Merit
He is 96 years old and has served as a Police Officer for 34 years from 1953-1987. He then served as a Member of Parliament for Sagaga le Falefa from 1988-2001. An avid rugby player and sportsman, he is a founding member of the Golden Oldies Rugby Team.

Solialofi Tuuaimalo Pisimala – Order of Merit
She has served the Government in the Health sector as a registered nurse for 40 years. She returned to Samoa in 1968 after completing her nursing training in New Zealand. She was the Chairperson of the Public Service Association from 2000 to 2007. She is also President of the Samoa Nurses Association and the Parents and Teachers Association of the Falefitu School.

Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, recipient of the Order of Merit.

Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork- Order of Merit
An outstanding Coach and President of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation Inc. The 50 year old has achieved so much in placing Samoa amongst the best in the world of weightlifting. He coached the ground breaking Samoan female weightlifter, Ele Opeloge, who is the first and only Samoan to win an Olympic medal having won a Silver Medal in the 2008 Olympics Games. He continues to develop young talents and consistently breaking new ground in the sporting results achieved.