I’m thrilled to introduce you to Emele Ugavule, Talanoa’s Creative Director! Emele is taking over the management of Talanoa over the next 12 months as I pursue full time study, storytelling and communications in non-profit across Australia and the Pacific. My role in Talanoa as Founder will now be one of support and mentorship (as I also learn from Emele) as she steers this vaka forward. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise which I believe, will take Talanoa to the next level as a safe storytelling space for Pacific people in our communities.

Emele is of Tokelauan and Fijian descent. She is a multidisciplinary storyteller. Emele works across live performance, film, tv & digital media as a writer, director, producer, performer, educator and mentor. Her work explores creative processes and outcomes grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, and nurturing the vā where where embodiment, cultural expression, digitisation and neuroscience intersect.

The best email to reach Emele is [email protected], but if you’d like to stay in touch with me, you can reach me at [email protected] (CC’ing [email protected]).

Thank you for your support over the last three years, support that I have leant on and learnt from immensely. Vinaka va levu, malo ‘aupito. I am sure you will share the same with Emele and Talanoa as it continues to grow and transform for our Pacific people.