Australia's Governor-General, David Hurley, and his wife Linda Hurley were hosted by the village of Matautu Falelatai on Sunday for a special church service.. 

The service was held at the Congregational Christian Church Samoa (C.C.C.S.) parish at Matautu, where the Head of State is a lay preacher, and the service was led by Reverend Rimoni Wright. 

The service was attended by Samoa's Head of State Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aletoa Sualauvi II, Masiofo Fa'amausili Leinafo Tuimaleali'ifano, leaders of the government, members of the diplomatic corps and people of all ages from the village of Matautu Falelatai. 

After the church service, the village prepared a Sunday to'ona'i (feast) for the visiting guests. 

Governor-General Hurley arrived back in the country on Saturday after leaving for Tonga on Friday. He arrived in Samoa on Wednesday evening. 

This is the Governor-General’s first official visit to Samoa and is traveling to several other Pacific islands; Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, and Vanuatu to further strengthen already existing relationships. 

The Governor-General expressed his sincere gratitude to the village of Matautu Falelatai for hosting him and his delegation. 

Prime Minister Fiame on Tuesday acknowledged with appreciation the opportunity extended to her early this year for her official visit to Australia where she had fruitful meetings with Australia’s Prime Minister, Hon Albanese, Cabinet Ministers, and officials on strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation. 

“Likewise, we had hosted visits by Senator Penny Wong in June last year whilst our borders were still closed and a visit in April from Pat Conroy for follow-up discussions concerning development cooperation. High-level visits demonstrate the close relations that our two countries have established in recent years,” she said.

Fiame said Samoa has a growing diaspora in Australia who have made it their home as well as those engaged in the seasonal workers and labour mobility scheme. 

“I am confident that our friendship will continue to prosper bilaterally as well as through our shared membership in the Pacific Islands Forum,” she said.