The Avele College Old Pupil Association (ACOPA) based in Queensland Australia has presented $20,000 as support fund for building a multipurpose Fale Samoa for the school. 

President of the ACOPA Queensland, Taulapapa Lemalu Roy Slade handed over the cheque to the patron for the 1980 class and Cabinet Minister, Olo Fiti Vaai at the Avele College field on Thursday.  

Taulapapa took the trip from Australia with other members of the group to hand over the contribution as Avele College prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. 

The President said they hope to render support for the ongoing development of the school that nurtured them from younger years. 

In response, old student and Project Manager, Leiataualesa Lino Tagiilima said financial constraint has prompted their plea for help from the overseas associations to lend a helping hand. 

Leiataualesa extended his thanks to ACOPA in Queensland for their contribution and their pride in Avele College. 

He added the Government is also acknowledged for reopening the school that was planned to be closed and seeing students graduating from the school is evidence of its impact. 

Lastly, the Project Manager said he was saddened to see the state of the school but is hopeful that the construction of a multipurpose Fale Samoa will bring life back to the compound. 

The Minister of Works who is also a former student of Avele College was acknowledged for his support in clearing the area that will be used for the new structure. 

The new multipurpose Fale Samoa will be built across from the school rugby field. 

So far there is currently $70,000 in the account including the contribution from Queensland for the project. 

Leiataualesa said $30,000 of that fund came from the ACOPA in Sydney led by Leiataua Faleata, $15,000 from the group based in Samoa and the rest were donations from Cabinet Ministers and others that offered financial support. 

Avele College will celebrate its 100th anniversary in June this year and the Fale Samoa is planned to be launched in time for that celebration. 

The school was first established in 1923 by 24 gentlemen and was officially opened in June 1924. It first started as an agriculture school as an all-boys institution until 1996, when it welcomed the enrolment of girls.