Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Frederick Slade has been awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of over three decades of selfless service to the Samoan community in Queensland.
Taulapapa and his wife, Joyita Stanley-Slade and their six children moved to Brisbane in 1991 and this year, he is recognised by the Government of Australia through the 2026 Australia Day Honors list for the various leadership roles he has held within the Samoan community in the past 35 years.
Australia Governor General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, congratulated Taulapapa and other recipients of the Australia Day Honours List “for their outstanding service and contributions..”
“The Australia Day 2026 Honours List recognises and celebrates Australians for distinguished and conspicuous service.”
Leadership
Taulapapa is a long serving member of the Aiga Samoa Association North Brisbane Inc, and has been President since 2008. He first joined the community organisation as General Secretary in 2006.
Taulapapa acknowledged Sitagata Hannemen Hunt and Samoa’s current Minister of Justice, Hon Fesolai Tusiupu Tuigamala as founding members of the Aiga Samoa Association of North Brisbane.
Taulapapa has been a member of the 4EB Samoan Ethnic Community Broadcasting Group in Brisbane, since 1995.
He has supported the Government’s ethnic community media initiative over many years, from Broadcaster to Panel Operator.
Within the Samoan Community in Queensland, Taulapapa Lemalu Roy has held the position of President/Chair of the Queensland Combined Samoa Association Leaders’ Forum, since 2014.
Taulapapa also served as President of the Avele College Old Pupils Association (ACOPA) Queensland. In 2024 Taulapapa travelled to Samoa with ACOPA members to present $20,000 tala for the Avele Multipurpose Hall building project.
Early Career
Before moving to Australia, Taulapapa was Manager, International Lending Operations Department for Pacific Commercial Bank (later Westpac and now BSP) in Apia from 1982-1991.
Prior to that he had been the Branch Manager, Operations Department, for the Development Bank of Samoa in Salelologa Savaii from 1973-1982.
Taulapapa also held the position of Loans Manager, Money Matter Pty Ltd, from 1992-1994.
His heart for serving his community alongside his career is marked by his years as Chair of the Samoa YMCA – Young Men’s Christian Association, from 1985 to when they migrated in 1991.
Sport: Lemalu Roy the Player, Coach and Administrator
Taulapapa is a pioneer of Samoa rugby development, and served as the Treasurer of [Western] Samoa Rugby Union Inc. from 1987 to 1991.
He was the Club Coach for the Fa’asaleleaga Rugby District Selections, from 1979 – 1981 and Club Coach for the Magiagi Rugby Club from 1984-1991.
Taulapapa also established and Chaired Samoa’s first Rugby League Samoa Association, having registered it as an incorporated society in May 1986. He served as the first Rugby League Samoa President from that time, until they migrated in 1991.
Taulapapa continued his service to rugby development in Queensland, as Coach of Queensland Samoa Carole Park Rugby Club, 1992-1996.
He held the role of Treasurer for the Queensland Rugby Union Sub-Urban Association, from 1993-1996.
He was also Coach of the Ashgrove Junior Rugby Under 12s,1997-1999, when his sons were playing age-grade rugby.
As a player, Lemalu played for the Vaiala Rugby Club, after leading his school’s Avele College First XV.
Lemalu was selected in Samoa’s first ever national rugby sevens team in November 1988 as Vice Captain. He is also a former Manu Samoa having played alongside the late Rev Dr Faitala Talapusi, Tuuau Kenape Tuuau, former Police Commissioner Galuvao Tanielu, and many legends of their time.
Rehabilitation and Corrections Expert
Taulapapa has over 25 years experience in Rehabilitation and Corrections services, having worked at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre for 25 years, from 1995 to 2020.
Taulapapa retired in 2020 as Acting Manager of the Rehabilitation and Correctional facility.
He has extensive experience and knowledge of inmate rehabilitation and reinstatement back into the community, as well as the administration of correctional centres.
Lemalu has built a home in Siusega and now commutes between Brisbane and Samoa, while serving as the sa’o of the extended families for the matai titles he holds.
An investiture ceremony will be held later in the year, where the Australia Day Honours List recipients will be formally presented with the insignia of the award.
Public Notices
- Ta‘utino Lise-Marie sa Pepelo i Leoleo ma Taumafai e Fa‘asesē i le Faagasologa o le Fa‘amasinoga - September 2, 2026
- Police Brutality Alleged after Sinamoga Father Dies Following Drug Raid - August 29, 2026
- Maiava Iulai Toma Remembered for a Lifetime of Service to Samoa - August 26, 2026
