Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Slade awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

2026-01-26 - 16:42

Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Frederick Slade has been awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his 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 in the 2026 Australia Day Honors list for the various leadership roles he has held within the Samoan community over the past 35 years. Australia Day Honours List Awardee, Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Frederick Slade with his wife Joyita Stanley Slade and their children L-R: Sesole Maliko, Roy Jnr, Donavan, Maraea, Derick and Dynso. 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 founded the Aiga Samoa Association North Brisbane Inc, and has been President since 2008. He also held the role of General Secretary in 2006 & 2007. Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Slade is honored at the Aiga Samoa Association AGM as a member of the Council of Edlers, Nov 2025, Maota Fono, Brisbane Australia. 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. Taulapapa Lemalu Roy and Joyita Stanley Slade. Within the Samoan Community in Queensland, Taulapapa Lemalu Roy has held the position of President/Chair of the Queensland Combined Samoa Association Leaders’s Forum, since 2014. Taulapapa is the current 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. Samoa’s leading provider of ICT Solutions. 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. Promotion continues until 31 January 2026! 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 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 Association President until they migrated in 1991. Taulapapa continued his service to rugby development in Queensland, Coach of Queensland Samoa Carole Park Rugby Club, 1992-1996. Visit Samoa and stay at the Award-Winning Taumeasina Island Resort. 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. As a player, Roy Slade played for Vaiala Rugby Club, after leading his school’s Avele College First XV. Lemalu (First 5/8) is introduced to Samoa Prime Minister, the late Hon Mata’afa Faumui’na Mulinu’u II by Manu Samoa Captain, the late Rev Dr Faitala Talapusi. Maori All-Blacks 2-Test tour to Samoa June 1973, Apia Park. 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 playing alongside the late Rev Dr Faitala Talapusi and many legends of their time. A poignant moment as Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Slade leads the community Toa Samoa parade, Brisbane Australia. Rehabilitation and Corrections Expert Taulapapa has over 25 years experience in Rehabilitation and Corrections, having worked at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre from 1995 to 2020. Taulapapa retired in 2020 as Acting Manager of the Rehabilitation and Correctional centre. 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