Who We Are
Village Response Collective Inc. (VRC) is a Pasifika-led Incorporated Association dedicated to strengthening the wellbeing, capability and visibility of Pasifika communities across Victoria.
When we use the term Pasifika, we refer to all Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian islands of the Pacific, including Aotearoa.
We work with people of all ages to support cultural identity, access to services, and long-term community resilience.
Our Story
Victoria’s Pasifika families reported struggling to navigate mainstream systems that often operate in culturally unsafe or unfamiliar ways. Community leaders recognised a need for a culturally grounded organisation capable of providing advocacy, practical support, capability building and representation.
Whilst the concept of a village is shared globally among many collective cultures, the concept of a “village approach to social change” is the foundation of the Village Response Collective (VRC), drawn from the research of its executive founder, Dr Marion Muliaumaseali’i, on a Samoan village (2017). From her thesis, Dr Marion has co-designed and implemented community safety projects in Victoria. These culturally safe strategies, service blueprints, encompass the essence of a village approach in a Western context.
These culturally sound frameworks seek to influence policy and advocate for sustainable change. While our communities possess immense intergenerational strength, cultural pride, and resilience, many continue to face barriers in education, justice, housing, employment, and access to services.
VRC has since expanded and emerged as a collective vision, strengthening community connections, amplifying Pasifika voices, and delivering culturally aligned support.
Today, we are a trusted connector between the community, government, councils and services.
Our Mission
To make life better for Oceania Pasifika communities in Victoria so they might contribute positively to their families, communities and maintain their cultural heritage and pride.
Our Vision
VRC envisions a future where every Oceania Pasifika community member in Victoria has access to culturally safe services, and lives with cultural pride, wellbeing and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
Our Values (Across the Moana)
Our values reflect the shared wisdom of Pacific nations — diverse in expression, united in responsibility to people, place and future generations.
Maintaining Right Relationships | Teu le Va | Tauhi Vā
We honour the relational space between people, communities and institutions. We act with care, reciprocity and responsibility, recognising that relationships are the foundation of collective wellbeing.
Integrity | Dina | Pono
We behave ethically, keep our word and take responsibility for our actions. We are accountable to our communities, our partners and future generations.
Clear & Respectful Communication | Talanoa
We value open dialogue grounded in trust, transparency and cultural safety. We listen deeply, speak with intention and ensure shared understanding.
Collective Strength | Veidokai | Kotahitanga
We believe our strength lies in unity. We value each person’s contribution and work together for collective impact rather than individual gain.
Respect, Humility & Authenticity | Faka‘apa‘apa | Aka‘aka
We act with humility, honesty and cultural integrity. We respect elders, cultural authority and diverse identities, remaining grounded in who we are as Pasifika peoples.
Teachability & Lifelong Learning | Ako | Vulagi ni Vuli
We remain open to learning, reflection and growth. We honour ancestral knowledge while embracing new ideas and innovation for future generations.
Strengths-Based & Resilient | To‘a | Yaloqaqa
We centre Pasifika strengths, resilience and leadership. We reject deficit narratives and focus on hope, dignity and long-term community wellbeing.
Stewardship & Future Responsibility | Vanua | Moana
We recognise our responsibility to place, people and the ocean that connects us. Our decisions are guided by sustainability, intergenerational equity and care for the collective.
Our People
Dr Marion Muliaumaseali’i
Rooted in the Samoan proverb "O le ala I le pule o le tautua - The pathway to great leadership is through service," Marion (aka Dr M) is a distinguished leader who has positioned herself at the intersection of practice and academia, embodying the essence of a Practitioner-Academic.
Executive Founding Director-
Defining Prac-Academic
A Prac-Academic, in essence, is an individual who seamlessly combines academic expertise with practical experience. Dr. M embodies this concept through her multifaceted roles- leadership in academia, and hands-on community engagement. As a Prac-Academic, she bridges the gap between theory and practice, contributing not only to scholarly discourse but also making a tangible impact on the communities she serves.
As a Prac-Academic, Dr. M's leadership is characterized by a holistic approach that integrates practical experience with academic rigor. Her role as the Design and Research Lead for the Rheumatic Fever Co-design Project with the New Zealand Ministry of Health (2021/2022) showcased her capability to apply academic principles, introducing and training her team in design thinking and human-centered design methodologies. This exemplifies the fusion of academic knowledge with practical, impactful solutions.
With a Doctorate in Media and Communications from RMIT University, a Post Graduate Certificate in Communication for Social Change from UNITEC New Zealand, and a Bachelor of International Communication from UNITEC New Zealand, Dr. M's educational journey reflects her commitment to combining academic rigor with practical, community-focused initiatives.
Community Engagement and Service-Oriented Leadership:
The establishment of the Village Response Collective stands as a testament to Dr. M's commitment to service and community development. As the architect and lead designer of the Village Response Plan and Reintegration Pathway, she addresses critical issues facing Pasifika communities, emphasizing early intervention, mentoring, and collaborative solutions.
Lesā Debra Leauanae-Wally
Debra is a dedicated community advocate with extensive experience in both Pasifika and mainstream projects across New Zealand and Australia
Founding Director-
Inspired by her parents' love for their family, village, and community service, she began her career in youth work in the early 2000s, working with education and youth providers to offer mentoring and youth programs in secondary schools. After moving to Melbourne in 2012, she transitioned into the Energy sector, focusing on Compliance, Risk & Assurance for nearly a decade while continuing her voluntary community support. Debra also champions her husband's West Papuan community through radio talkback and advocacy. Recently, she founded Lalaga Consultancy, aiming to weave together communities, people, and organisations to support those in need
Board SecretaryMadalene Viliamu
Talofa lava. Madalene was born in Hawaii and is of Samoan heritage. She was raised and educated in New Zealand, has been happily married for 20 years and is blessed with four beautiful children.
-
With 20 years of work experience, Madalene spent 9 years in various roles within Youth Justice as well as the Children, Youth and Family Services. She is currently working as a Residential Youth Support Worker and honoured to be a part of an initiative that is working at making a difference in the lives of our Pasifika youth.
Yves Kimyeni
Yves grew up in Aotearoa as a refugee from Rwanda. He has worked in Government and Community Services in Melbourne, Brisbane and Aotearoa, and is ecstatic to join this wonderful organisation and support the work that has been achieved so far.
New Business and Partnerships-
A bit about me, as a refugee from Rwanda and growing up in Aotearoa. I never really got to know my Rwandan culture. I slowly assimilated to the Pasifika community as I lacked that sense of belonging and I was welcomed and embraced as most of my friends and some I consider family are of Samoan heritage.
I’m ecstatic to join this wonderful organisation and support the wonderful work that’s been achieved so far. I’ve worked in Government and Community Services across Melbourne and Brisbane and Aotearoa. I’m passionate about Dr M and Debra vision of creating programs for our people and working as team in facilitating engagements across government, corporate and not-for-profit to increase and amplify voices of Pasifika communities in Victoria, to ultimately be the key advocacy organisation for all things Pasifika.
Cathleen Hafu-Fetokai
Cathleen is a Tongan woman with connections to Vanuatu, Niue and Aotearoa, living in the Pacific diaspora. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by her creator - God, who is central to her way of being.
Advisor to the Board-
Her Indigenous Pasifika knowledge has allowed her to professionally navigate the higher education sector for over two decades here in Australia and Aotearoa (NZ). She is a qualified Town Planner, with a passion for Education, and an interest in spatial relations between people,spaces and places to understand power and politics. This is also reflected in her research, as a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland. Her career had focused on widening participation and the advancement of Moana Oceania students in higher education. She is grateful to have been mentored and prayed over by her family, friends and amazing community to empower others to see their potential. Let the dreams of our ancestors be our reality.
Advisor to the BoardSiaosi Gavet
Siaosi is Samoan and was born in Tokoroa, Aotearoa. He has many years of experience in the community, youth, and education sectors in Auckland and has had significant involvement with Pacific communities.
-
Siaosi has created, designed, and/or led several Pacific youth development leadership programmes, like Tula’i Pasifika Youth Development, West Auckland Pasifika Forum, and Pasifika Plus PowerUp. He has also significant experience in working with government entities, securing numerous contracts, and acquiring funding from agencies and philanthropic organisations. His education experience spans the compulsory schooling and tertiary education sectors. Siaosi holds an MA(Hons) in social sciences, with a focus on Pacific youth.
Siaosi and his wife, Faoga, set up a Pacific youth development community trust in early 2019, before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and have since then, created two youth hubs in Auckland, that have served over 200 youth since its inception. They are in the throes of forming an establishment board, for their partnership venture to set up Auckland Sports College, one of New Zealand’s few, new partnership schools commencing February 2025.
Our Approach
The Village Response Collective Inc. (VRC) is
Community-led
Culturally grounded
Strengths-based
Intergenerational
Collaborative
We honour Pacific values, amplify Pasifika voices and build pathways to self-determination while supporting local communities in need.