This year marks the 40th anniversary of when Australia first started to send Australian volunteers to Samoa. The first intake consisted of just four volunteers. Since then the number of volunteers coming to Samoa each year has quadrupled. At present, there are 18 Australian volunteers in Samoa.
Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Dr. Stephen Henningham said Australia and Samoa's strong relationship was demonstrated through the friendships and connections made between volunteers and their Samoan counterparts.
"In the past 40 years, over 400 Australians have volunteered their time and expertise in Samoa," Dr Henningham said.
"As we mark the 50th Anniversary of Samoa's Independence, it is fitting to look back on the contribution Australian volunteers have made to Samoa's continued progress."
Eldene O'Shea was an Australian volunteer working in Samoa as a surf lifesaver trainer.
"It has been incredibly rewarding working with the Samoa Tourism Authority to help improve beach safety," Mr O'Shea said.
"I've had the privilege to travel all around Samoa to train local tourism operators in basic surf lifesaving skills. They are already using the skills they have gained to help save lives. It's great to see the immediate impact of the work that I've done."
Dulcie Wong Sin-Simanu worked alongside Eldene as his counterpart. She is the principal training and education officer at the Tourism Authority.
"Eldene has been instrumental in lifting the standard of surf lifesaving in Samoa. He trained 130 people in first aid skills and water competency," Ms Wong Sin-Simanu said.
"The work that he did will have an impact long after he leaves Samoa. He has helped to create a training manual and has been able to source vital lifesaving equipment for the trainees so they can put into practice what he taught them."