The Talk Back segment, airing weekdays from 8:45 to 9 AM, may be short — but its impact is enormous. In just 15 minutes, listeners from across Australia call in to share their thoughts, concerns, and celebrations.
Hosted jointly by Papalii and Katie, the segment covers everything from local council decisions affecting the Samoan community to cultural events, church announcements, and personal milestones. It's a space where the community's voice is heard loud and clear, without the barriers that often exist in mainstream media.
What makes Talk Back special is its authenticity. There's no script, no filter — just real people talking about what matters to them. A grandmother might call in to share news of a grandchild's graduation. A community leader might raise concerns about a new housing development. A young Samoan Australian might call to ask advice about navigating two cultures. Every call is a window into the lived experience of the diaspora.
The segment has also become an important platform for civic engagement. Local councillors and community representatives have appeared on the show to answer questions directly from listeners. It's democracy in action — Pacific Islander style.
Over the years, Talk Back has helped mobilise the community around important causes — from fundraising for families in need after natural disasters in Samoa, to organising community responses to social issues affecting young Samoan Australians.
If you have something to share, tune in weekday mornings and join the conversation. Your voice matters, and this is your platform. Whether you're calling from a construction site in Western Sydney, a hospital in Brisbane, or a farm in regional Victoria — we want to hear from you. That's the power of community radio.
