Tributes flow as ABC presenter dies ‘very suddenly’ at 48

Tributes are flowing for a much-loved performer and ABC radio presenter, who died “very suddenly” recently at the age of 48.

Tributes are flowing for an ABC radio presenter, who died “very suddenly” recently at the age of 48.

Tongan-Australian presenter and singer Seini Fale’aka Taumoepeau, who also performed under the name “SistaNative,” was a presenter on ABC Pacific.

The station posted a loving tribute to her on Facebook, writing that she will be “remembered and celebrated as a dedicated artist, orator, song woman and storyteller who spent over 30 years advocating for Pasifika communities and their representation in the Australian media landscape”.

“Seini’s first appearance on ABC Radio Australia was as a 13-year-old on programs produced by her mother, going on to become the inaugural host of Pacific Mornings in 2018.”

Taumoepeau behind the decks at the ABC.

ABC Pacfic also shared her final sign-off before leaving her radio role, in which she told listeners: “I hope that ABC Radio Australia will consider replacing me with two, five, 10 more people of Pacific heritage and understanding and in doing so evolve the Australian lens of the Pacific with the great and valuable resource that is our region, inclusive of its people.”

ABC Pacific paid tribute to the former presenter.

Her death was first announced on the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art’s website on May 29, with a post stating that those at the organisation were “deeply saddened” by the death of a woman “known to many across Indigenous Australia and Oceania because of her dedication to extending the stories and narratives of Indigenous Oceania.”

Taumoepeau performed under the stage name SistaNative.

Her family have asked mourners to honour her “by giving your love freely.”

A GoFundMe page set up by Taumoepeau’s family to help cover costs for her funeral has so far raised almost $12,000.

On the page, her family explained that she had “moved on from this earthly life very suddenly.

“Seini was for many a loving, caring, compassionate, and sincere human. Through her art, culture and her resounding voice Seini helped create the musical soundtrack of our lives.”

They also asked that those financially unable to donate would “honour our sister by giving your love freely. As Seini would.”