PALM Scheme Support - NSW Council for Pacific Communities

14/05/2025

13/05/2025

NSW Council for Pacific Communities would like to welcome our newest cohort of workers that will be coming to Cootmundra! We look forward to meeting with you all very soon.

Labour Mobility Unit- Solomon Islands

Another cohort of RWM workers flew in to Australia yesterday afternoon.
Country Liaison Officer(CLO) Leslie Fa'arodo confirmed that 19 workers (14 males, 5 females) transited overnight at Brisbane and flew out this morning to Cootamundra, NSW where they will be working for the next four years.

LMU would like to wish the workers all the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives!
# 💪🇸🇧

12/05/2025

Last Friday, our iKiribati workers from BE Campbell in Fairfield and Wentworthville were warmly welcomed by the Merrylands Tongan Ward community of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to celebrate Mother’s Day. 💐

Our PALM workers were treated to an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and, just like all the mothers there that evening, were gifted a kahoa lole as a token of appreciation for everything they do as mothers. 🍫

NSW Council for Pacific Communities is grateful to Sister Masima, the Relief Society President, and Bishop Taukeiaho for the continued support and for always allowing our workers in their ward celebrations.

Kam Rabwa!

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01/05/2025

NSW Council for Pacific Communities is saddened by the tragic loss of Argen Kuni, a Solomon Islander who has unfortunately passed away in a suspected hit-and-run in Griffith, NSW. Argen came to Australia in 2021 under the PALM scheme, working to support his wife and two young sons back home. He had recently completed building a home for his family. His sudden passing has left his loved ones devastated. We extend our condolences to the Kuni family and the broader Solomon Islands community during this difficult time and urge anyone with information to assist NSW Police in their investigation. May Argen’s memory be a reminder of the sacrifices made by our PALM Scheme workers. 

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme

Police believe Argen Kuni, who came to Australia under the PALM scheme, may have been the victim of a fatal hit-and-run in the NSW Riverina.

28/04/2025

Last Friday, our Solomon Islander workers from JBS Primo Foodservice were invited to a homecoming dance at the Villawood Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrating the return of two missionaries from the Fairfield Stake.

The NSW Council for Pacific Communities thanks the Merrylands Ward bishopric for their invitation and for hosting our workers to a evening of dancing, culture, and fellowship.

Pasifiki HR

Welcome Home Elder Noa 🇧🇷 & Sister Ika 🇦🇺

25/04/2025

🇳🇿 Lest We Forget | ANZAC Day 2025 🇦🇺

Before leaving Nadi, our team made it to the Denarau Dawn Service to honour the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of our ANZACs and others who gave their all for the freedoms we enjoy today.

We know that hundreds of Pacific Islanders served with the Australian and New Zealand forces, despite official policies that initially restricted non-European enlistment and Pasifika men were often not recognised or supported equally, with many returning home without proper acknowledgment or veteran benefits.

As we reflect on their legacy, we also acknowledge the hardworking PALM Scheme workers who continue to contribute to the prosperity of our communities. Like the ANZACs, these men and women have journeyed far from home, showing resilience, strength, and a commitment to something greater than themselves. We also acknowledge Alex & Frankie, two of our previous NSW/ACT Regional Coordinators who also served.

Whether you’re resting, reflecting, or spending time with loved ones, we wish you all a beautiful and peaceful ANZAC Day.

🇫🇯🇹🇴🇳🇷🇰🇮🇹🇻🇼🇸🇸🇧🇵🇬🇻🇺🇹🇱

24/04/2025

Over the past 48 hours, our NSW/ACT Community Connections team has been on the ground, assisting in the coordination and repatriation of one of our iKiribati brothers Taubwo Biio who has been under our care and support.

This journey was made possible through the joint collaboration and support of our wider network in the Riverina, Susie, Peter, and Paul from the Multicultural Support Group of Leeton, the Major from Salvation Army Leeton, the amazing team at Vinnies Leeton, Fiona from Red Cross Griffith, and Kiribati’s Country Liaison Officer, Kaibwa.

After months of support, we were blessed to es**rt him from Leeton all the way to Fiji, ensuring his safe journey back to Kiribati.

He is happy. He is grateful. He is Home 🇰🇮

While in Nadi, we were also able to assist Taranitea Tairati, a fellow PALM Scheme worker from HealthX working in South Australia, who needed some technical support when shee arrived in Nadi.

Our team is grateful for the opportunity to serve and to be in a position to support our Pasifika community, both in Australia and across the Moana.

Kam Rabwa to all the hands and hearts that have played a part in making this possible.

NSW Council for Pacific Communities Australian Red Cross Multicultural Council of Griffith Vinnies NSW Australian High Commission, Kiribati EmpowerFiji PALM

22/04/2025

Over the past three days, our NSW/ACT Community Connections team had the privilege of spending meaningful time with our iKiribati, Samoan, and Solomon Islander workers at JBS Primo Foodservice 🇸🇧🇼🇸🇰🇮

It was a weekend filled with connection and community:

• Saturday: Our workers were honoured to join the Pasifika community march on the field during the Western Sydney Wanderers FC match at CommBank Stadium, a powerful moment of visibility and pride

• Sunday: Some of our team attended a church service with the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community in Villawood, followed by a generous food relief pick-up from Melissa Tu’ifua from No Hungry Tummies, providing support for the entire group in Belmore.

• Monday: The weekend wrapped up with a fun and energetic sports day alongside the Tongan congregations of the Fairfield Stake (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), with some bread donations from Bakers Delight to finish the day for our workers in Greenacre and Belmore.

It was a great weekend where our workers felt welcomed, valued, and seen. We’re committed to keeping this momentum going, building stronger connections and support for our Pasifika PALM Scheme workers as they continue their journey here in Australia.

NSW Council for Pacific Communities Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme