Stories From The Pacific

From Captaining the PNG Kumuls to shaping the next generation

From the rugby fields of Cairns, far north QLD, to representing his country by captaining the Kumuls, Rod Griffin has carved out a career defined by resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to giving back.   A proud Papua New Guinean who made his mark in the game, Rod has played for clubs like the Wests Tigers, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and Ipswich Jets. But his legacy extends beyond the field, he's shaping the next generation of young athletes today. From professional footy to mentoring aspiring players, Rod’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose.   This edition of Stories From The Pacific was a repeat of the program broadcast on 23rd April 2025

Toutai Kefu: Strength, legacy and a moment that changed rugby forever

In this episode of Stories From The Pacific, Wendy Mocke sits down with rugby icon Toutai Kefu — a powerhouse No. 8 whose story is deeply woven into Australian rugby folklore. Born into a family legacy that helped shape the game, Toutai rose from a Queensland debut sensation to a world champion, delivering one of the most unforgettable moments in Bledisloe Cup history. From triumph to heartbreak and ultimately Hall of Fame recognition, this is a story of resilience, heritage, and the enduring strength of Pacific identity.

Meet the man using technology to fight for his homeland's future

Aselu Vaguna O'Brien is a draftsman, climate advocate, and a man of many talents—though if you ask his friends, he's also just 'Strawberry,' the guy who won't stop talking about rugby or his love for fresh fruit. Born in Fiji and raised in Tuvalu, Aselu's journey has taken him from engineering to media, from construction sites to mapping coastlines that are disappearing before his eyes. Today, he's using technology to document Tuvalu's changing landscape and fighting to ensure his homeland has a future. This week's episode of Stories From The Pacific is a repeat of the show broadcast on 16th April 2025

She is not your rehab: How one barbershop sparked a global conversation for men

What if healing didn't begin with blame, but with responsibility? Matt Brown's journey from a complex childhood in Aotearoa New Zealand to a barbershop chair sparked an unexpected global movement. What began as conversations between men hiding their pain became She Is Not Your Rehab, a call for men to stop outsourcing their emotional wounds to the women in their lives. Matt shares a powerful story of survival, courage and generational honesty, challenging long-held ideas about masculinity, trauma and accountability. This is a conversation about what happens when men choose to face their own wounds — and how that choice can transform families, communities and futures across the Pacific and beyond. Listen to this conversation with Stories From the Pacific host Bobby Macumber on ABC Radio Australia.

Finding power in voice

This is Namila Benson as you've never heard her before. One of the few Melanesian women to occupy space on mainstream television in Australia, Namila reflects on how her voice became her power. In this powerful conversation with fellow Wantok and Stories from the Pacific host, Wendy Mocke, Namila reflects on her childhood shaped by diaspora to a career spanning hosting, writing, mentoring artists and shaping media from the inside. She speaks candidly about identity, belonging and the courage it takes to stand fully in your own truth. This is a conversation about visibility, creative sovereignty and what it means to carve space when none is offered — and to use that space to lift others with you. Listen to this episode on ABC Radio Australia.