CHOGM Day 3: Samoan villagers greet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with green and gold

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been greeted by a sea of green and gold during a visit to a Samoan village an hour from the capital Apia on the Australian leader’s final day of CHOGM.

He might be away from home but Anthony Albanese won’t be missing out thanks to a small Samoan village that has transformed into a mini Australia for the Prime Minister’s visit.

Satapuala, about an hour from Samoa’s capital Apia, was clad in green and gold to welcome Mr Albanese on his final day in the country for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

It was just one of many villages across Samoa that was transformed to mark the PM’s visit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was greeted by a sea of green and gold during a warm welcome to the Samoan village Satapuala on the final day of CHOGM 2024.

Mr Albanese was welcomed with roaring applause by village locals who sang the Australian National Anthem and gave him a traditional floral garland called an Ula Fala.

“It was an honour to hear you sing the Australian national anthem,” Mr Albanese said after a traditional welcome.

“Your village is already making a lot of news back in Australia … the signs and the colours you have given us.

“This will be a permanent connection between Australia and beautiful Samoa.”

Samoan villagers sang the Australian National Anthem and presented Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with a traditional floral garland called an Ula Fala.

Prime Minister Athony Albanese was welcomed with roaring applause when he visited Satapuala, a village in Samoa, on the final day of CHOGM 2024.

The village gave Mr Albanese a fue (fly whip) and tootoo (a staff).

The Satapuala community bestowed a chiefly (matai) title on the Prime Minister.

The honorary title given to the Prime Minister is “Toeolesulusulu”.

It is the highest honour in Satapuala village and is the same title as the Cedric Schuster, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Mr Albanese joins the ranks of King Charles III who was also bestowed the title of matai.

Originally published as CHOGM Day 3: Samoan villagers greet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with green and gold