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 We are Pacific Islands in Melbourne 

Talofa Lava


 
Engage Pasefika

We are a Pacific Island community led organisation to address intergenerational Pacific health inequities.  We acknowledge the inherent power structures that disable empowerment, equitable access and inclusion to health services. We work towards emphasizing the role of culture in understanding health. We work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to reduce health status disparities. 


THE MISSION

To advance better health outcomes for all Pacific Island Communities 
 

Who are Pacific Islanders?

pacific diversity

We are a culturally diverse indigenous people connected by ocean from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Our long histories with colonisation has had long lasting impacts of trauma and privileging of white colonial worldviews. We originate from warrior bloodlines that have fought tirelessly for independence. 

Image by Wilson Stratton

 Our Stories 

We acknowledge our Pacific Elders and ancestors that have come before us, your tenacity and resilience inspire us to do right by our communities. We honour their footprint through shared values of family, faith, community, equity, intersectionality and respect

Our call to action was sparked by the invisibility of Pacific Island voices in decision making spaces of health, amplified by Covid-19 and its disproportionate impact on the community. It revealed the unmet needs of pacific community in the northern suburbs of Melbourne to equitably and safely access health services without fear of shame, stigma and judgement. 










Our commitment is to advance Pacific health equity via avenues of advocacy, ethical collaborations and creating sustainable initiatives that benefit intergenerations of Pacific families. We believe in a culturally intersectional approach to health that validates the social, migratory, cultural, familial and historical experiences of Pacific communities and impact the way they understand and access health services.

Engage Pasefika acknowledge how the Social Determinants of Health strongly influences access to health such as insecure housing and food, casual employment, early childhood development access, education disparities, structural inequities perpetuating vulnerabilities. 

Our 
mandate, to be disruptors of positive change and challenge the status quo of health systems to explore inclusive ways of health caring. To mobilise resources that improve health literacy and  digital health access. Our communities should be able to have agency and personal choice when it comes to their health choices.

 
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culture and health

What's the significance of kava/tanoa bowl?

The Tanoa or Kava bowl pictured earlier symbolises ceremony and reverence in kava ceremony. It typifies reciprocity, community, problem resolution and a strong spirit of goodwill. If you have ever had the privilege of sitting in a kava/ava ceremony you would have felt the mana (warrior spirit) of our Ancestors and for some its memorable taste. Manuia!

cultural insight

Our Actions

PASEFIKA COMMUNITY TALANOA
July 19, 2024
In Partnership with Hume Council
Early Childhood Education

Pasefika Community Talanoa
Our event was open to all our Pasefika community, parents, grandparents, carers, kinship and Pasefika early childhood educators. 

WEAVING A NEW PATH FOR PASEFIKA YOUTH
March 16, 2024
Free Community Event
Empower  Educate  Employ

PI Youth Free Comunity Event .jpg

GENDER EQUALITY
Investing in women's grassroots program
International Women's Day 2024 #countherin

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International Womens Day_edited.jpg
EP with the Minister for Women - Natalie Hutchins, Iwan Walters MP and Kathleen Matthews-Ward MP
Aknowledgement in State Parliament of Engage Pasefika's Commitment to Gender Equality Work 

INDOOR VOLLEYBALL

2023 - 2024

Term 1 Pacific Volleyball Winter Warrior Tournament.jpg

2024 Still on!

PASEFIKA CHANGEMAKERS TALANOA
Cultural Diversity Week 

Video snippet from Keynote  Ailao Robertson

BREAST CANCER HEALTH TALANOA
Facebook Live Seminar Dr Belladona Atropa Potoi 

 

PACIFIC ISLAND COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP
Every school term in 2024
Broadmeadows Community Hub
Samoan Language Week 

PACIFIC ISLAND WOMEN'S HEALTH EQUITY DAY
September 9, 2023

Honouring Women's Health Week 
A day led by our Young Pacific Women

Aknowledgement in Federal Parliament from Labour MP, Maria Vamvakinou 
Cultural Lunch
Zumba

Our Partnerships

DIABETES AND HEALTHY EATING TALANOA
Oct 19, 2024
In partnership with Diabetes Victoria

healthy eating.png

TELEHEALTH AND ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES COMMUNITY TALANOA
July 25, 2024
In Partnership with the Institute for Health Transformation - Deakin University

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Check out the link to The Institute for Health Transformation  HERE
Telehealth and Allied Services

PASEFIKA COMMUNITY TALANOA

In Partnership with Hume Council
Click here or scan QR code to register

 

19 July, 2024
Pasefika Community Talanoa
Open to all our Pasefika community, parents, grandparents, carers, kinship and Pasefika early childhood educators. 

Our Advocacy

Committees

Engage Pasefika believe in our organic intellect and significance of representation. We are honoured to sit on the;

  • Regional Advisory Committee - Victorian Multicultural Commission

  • Royal Melbourne Hospital Community Advisory Committee

  • DPV Health Community Advisory Network

  • Founding Member - Multicultural Womens Alliance against Family Violence

  • Safe Landing Project Advisory Committee

Partnering in Health Outcomes Summit

Engage Pasefika co-presented with Northern Health Hospital to advocate experiences from a context of Health Consumer

Pasefika Health Navigator role at Northern health

Engage Pasefika worked closely with Northern Health Hospital on cultural sensitivities and nuances with this culturally specific position

Engage Pasefika submission to the Human Rights Commission 

On the 18th June, 2023 the Australian Human Rights Commission called for submissions from people or organisations on youth justice and child wellbeing reform. Given the disproportionate representation of our young pacific island generation in the justice system, Engage Pasefika made our submission from an intersectional Pacific lens.

Please read our  

Engage Pasefika submission for the Multicultural Framework Review

From July to September 2023 the Australian Department of Home Affairs called for submissions from individuals and organisations on the review of the Multicultural framework. Engage Pasefika made our submission that beats critically and lands differently.

Please read our  

Have you heard of Talanoa cultural practice?

Talanoa is a Pacific led framework recognised by the United Nations. It is a deep and meaningful exchange of storytelling and discussions that centre around building relationships, peace making, conflict resolution and idea generation. It is practiced across pacific nations through varied contexts and widely used in academic research.

Pacific Frameworks

Our Connections

"Empowerment of individuals and communities is absolutely central. Getting the community involved in organising their own destiny has got to be the key part of it."

Prof. Michael Marmot

Support our work

We welcome collaborations to co-create with community to build capacity. We believe NOW is the time to address social determinants of health. 

Our Contacts

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CONTACT INFO

​

admin@engagepasefika.au

0434 497 197

Northern Suburbs of Melbourne Australia

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admin@engagepasefika.au
Northern Suburbs of Melbourne

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