Please state your name and field of expertise? Lucy Astle (Tuita Nakao)
   Mother, Grandmother, Social Worker: worked in Domestic Violence field for 12 years, then
   in Mental Health for the last five years specialising in women’s health. 

    Age:  53
   
    Where were you born?  Neiafu, Vava'u, Tonga

    How long have you lived in Australia?  27 years  

    Who/what have been your main influences in your chosen career?
    Whilst living in the Mid North Coast of NSW Australia, was introduced to women support
    workers in the local Women’s Health Agency.  I began there as a volunteer before deciding to
    begin studies in the field.  Moved to Canberra a couple of years later and continued study and
    began working in the field. 

    What has been the highlight of your career so far?
    I don’t know about highlight as this is crisis work with people whose lives have been
    devastatingly affected by violence or social problems, but I guess I can say that seeing how
    some lives have changed has been hopeful.  

     Radio programme – Can you tell our viewers what you, Siua and others do on air
     every Friday, and some of the highlights you’ve experienced?  

9am – 10am: Siua broadcasts the Lo’au Research Society Program in Tongan.  This program brings to listeners the latest in academic research news in the Pacific especially Tonga, and continuing dialogue about Tongan and Pacific history.  Especially favoured by our uni students in Canberra and the older listeners.  Music is the old chants and lakalakas (group dance) or old music from Tonga.

10am-11am:  Pacific Is Youth Program mainly in English.  I talk to the youth of Canberra and their families about issues that may affect them and any current findings especially in education, drugs & alcohol use and other social problems that they may be facing.  Siua joins me most of the time when he is available. Music: world music and current/past pop,country and Pacific Is music or whatever the listeners request.  This program is quite popular with the listeners of all ages.

11am-12pm:  Fofo’anga Kava Club:  Talk back and very tongue in cheek program with lots of laughs but a lot of very interesting and important issues discussed weekly.  Music is Tongan, popular with the men and women who call weekly.  Siua and I broadcast this program in Tongan. 

What sort of radio feedback/interaction do you have with your listeners?
Every Friday we get something different from the program.  We have great interaction with the listeners, they call and sometimes it’s quite hectic in the studio trying to answer two phones plus see to the technicalities of the program but we have fun.  We have great feed-back about the program and lots of complaints when Siua and I are out of Canberra and cannot broadcast. 

      Within the Pacific Island arts, tell us your favourite myth / legend / story / dance /
      hymn-song? And why?

I love the story of Hina and Sinilau as I am a romantic at heart.  I have come to love and understand our ancient dances and music and my love and respect for this has grown immensely.  I especially love the late Queen Salote Tupou III’s compositions and slowly learning some of the interpretations of her compositions.  She was an amazing composer/poet and I have only just started to learn about them. 

  What is your most elaborate costume you’ve  
  created?
  I guess elaborate is not the word as our costumes
  are made out of whatever we can find that suits our
  purse and I have found some amazing pieces in 
  second hand shops, factories and my glory box. 
  I put them together with the choreography and dancer
  in mind. Most costumes in the Phoenix Dance
  repertoire were ideas of mine, apart from the Tongan
  costumes which are ngatu and mats. 

Closing paragraph - anything else you would like to share with our viewers?
My continuing involvement with Pacific Island Youth Network and Phoenix Performing Arts, and of course CMS Radio has been “good food” for my soul.  I enjoy greatly my interaction on air with listeners, a chance to make their day and mine, a little brighter.  I really believe the quote “you have to give in order to receive.” 

Top 5 Faves

Whats your favourite saying from Australia or in general? “She’ll be right mate”

Whats your favourite food?  This is a bit hard as I’m a total ‘foodie’ and love all kinds, but to choose, Japanese, Thai and of course Tongan!!

Whats your favourite music?  I love classical music and I guess all types and lately loving ancient Tongan Music.

 Whats your favourite leisurely thing to do?  When possible, sitting at the beach with a good  book and spending time with my Grandchildren
 and family.

  Whats your favourite night out thing to do?
  Movies and dinner or a good Samoan siva.  

To nominate an  individual or organisation for a ‘Spotlight’  interview,  email:   Spotlight@LondonFale.org.uk

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