From Her Fijian Village to the Training Floor. Sereima’s Message to Fijians.
Before she wore a uniform or led a team, Sereima was working the land in her village in Fiji. She spent her days helping her family, tending the farm and dreaming of something more for her family.
Today, just eight months after arriving in Australia through the PALM scheme, Sereima has gone from process worker to Production Floor Trainer. She is one of the first Fijians to step into this role at one of Queensland’s leading processing facilities and is already inspiring others to follow.
“I didn’t expect to be promoted,” Sereima said. “But when the opportunity came, I took it. I reminded myself why I came to Australia. For my parents. For our home. For the goals I have for the future.”
Since arriving in December 2023, Sereima has helped expand her family’s home, supported her father’s farm and saved toward starting a transport business back in Fiji.
She has also completed a Certificate II in Food Processing and is now preparing to start her Certificate III in Food Processing. She sees a future in training whether she continues her career in Australia or returns home to give back to her community.
But it is not just her progress that stands out. It is her ability to lift others as she climbs.
“I get messages all the time from friends and family asking how to apply for the PALM scheme” she said. “They have seen what’s possible. I tell them to come to Australia with a plan. Come with purpose.”
That purpose, she says, is what keeps her focused through the challenges of working and living in a new country.
Behind Sereima’s growth is a strong support system, including her Learning and Development Manager Zoya, who said her impact has been immediate.
“She is one of the best trainers I have worked with,” Zoya said. “She is calm and focused and has earned the respect of everyone around her. She knows what needs to be done and she gets on with it. That is why people and her team follow her.”
Zoya explained that in a fast paced environment where priorities change daily, Sereima has adapted quickly. She consistently meets training expectations and is already working towards performance KPIs that were previously only met by more experienced team members.
“She brings structure, focus and a reliability to the role,” Zoya said. “That consistency matters when your day is full of shifting demands.”
Back home, her family is watching her progress with pride.
“They didn’t expect I would become a trainer,” Sereima said with a smile. “But when I told them, they were so happy. They told me to keep going. And I will.”
For employers, stories like Sereima’s reflect the long term value of the PALM scheme. With the right support and leadership, employees are not only filling critical roles, reducing absenteeism and turnover but also stepping into leadership roles with business commitment, ambition and a drive to succeed.
Sereima’s message to other Fijians thinking about joining the program?
“Set your goals. Remind yourself why you came. Keep pushing. You can achieve more than you ever imagined.”
Pattson Tutu worked for RWM within the meat processing industry in Victoria part of the PALM Scheme for three years before returning home to the Solomon Islands in 2023. During this time Pattson worked on the production line as a labourer and was actively engaged with the community. His Site Manager said “Pattson was a dedicated and focused worker in the meat processing industry, he was also involved with the local community and attended church weekly,”
It's moments like meeting Pattson in his home country and seeing the impact of his achievements that makes us site managers want to work and do more and more.
Reconnecting in their home country
One year later, his Site Manager, travelled to Savo Island, a small village in the Solomon Islands to meet Pattson, which was a heartwarming and eye-opening trip. "It was really emotional being able to see Pattson again. I spent a lot of time with him and other Solomon Island workers during their time here in Australia, celebrating the good and bad. They've become like family to me," said his Site Manager.
Witnessing Pattson's journey from arriving to Australia in 2019, to achieving many milestones and goals moved his site manager. "His goals were to support his family financially and improve their standard of living while he worked in Australia. He's so humble about what he has achieved," they added, highlighting Pattson's admirable humility amongst his grand achievements.
Impact and success beyond borders
During their trip, his site manager witnessed the impact of Pattson's accomplishments for his family and wider community. “With money saved working in Australia, he's built three houses, for himself and his siblings, one of which they call the 'canteen' which sells groceries and essentials to village locals," they shared. “Now that Pattson and his wife are expecting their first child, the properties he has built has taken away a lot of stress for this family and has laid solid financial foundations," said his site manager.
Since returning to his village, Pattson was appointed as a youth coordinator at his church and has also invested in boats for transportation, enhancing accessibility between islands and contributing to the economic growth of his community. "His whole island has benefited with better access to groceries and transport, while he is inspiring and educating the next generation in his village," his site manager said said, highlighting the broader impact of opportunities through the PALM Scheme.
Creating a lasting impact
Drawing from Pattson's achievements, his site manager shared valuable insight for those looking at joining the PALM Scheme, “Take as many opportunities as you can within your workplace and develop those skills to take home with you... whether it's skills to help run a business or other skills to support yourself once you return home,” said his site manager.
"Pattson set a great example of what a PALM worker can achieve. Not only was he a dedicated worker, but he also represented his country to create opportunities for other Solomon Islanders,” said his site manager
Looking for your pathway to employment in Australia with FIP Group through the PALM Scheme?
Reuniting Through the PALM Scheme: Pattson’s Success Story
Pattson Tutu worked for RWM within the meat processing industry in Victoria part of the PALM Scheme for three years before returning home to the Solomon Islands in 2023. During this time Pattson worked on the production line as a labourer and was actively engaged with the community. His Site Manager said “Pattson was a dedicated and focused worker in the meat processing industry, he was also involved with the local community and attended church weekly,”
"It's moments like meeting Pattson in his home country and seeing the impact of his achievements that makes us site managers want to work and do more and more."
Reconnecting in their home country
One year later, his Site Manager, travelled to Savo Island, a small village in the Solomon Islands to meet Pattson, which was a heartwarming and eye-opening trip. "It was really emotional being able to see Pattson again. I spent a lot of time with him and other Solomon Island workers during their time here in Australia, celebrating the good and bad. They've become like family to me," said his Site Manager.
Witnessing Pattson's journey from arriving to Australia in 2019, to achieving many milestones and goals moved his site manager. "His goals were to support his family financially and improve their standard of living while he worked in Australia. He's so humble about what he has achieved," they added, highlighting Pattson's admirable humility amongst his grand achievements.
Impact and success beyond borders
During their trip, his site manager witnessed the impact of Pattson's accomplishments for his family and wider community. “With money saved working in Australia, he's built three houses, for himself and his siblings, one of which they call the 'canteen' which sells groceries and essentials to village locals," they shared. “Now that Pattson and his wife are expecting their first child, the properties he has built has taken away a lot of stress for this family and has laid solid financial foundations," said his site manager.
Since returning to his village, Pattson was appointed as a youth coordinator at his church and has also invested in boats for transportation, enhancing accessibility between islands and contributing to the economic growth of his community. "His whole island has benefited with better access to groceries and transport, while he is inspiring and educating the next generation in his village," his site manager said said, highlighting the broader impact of opportunities through the PALM Scheme.
Creating a lasting impact
Drawing from Pattson's achievements, his site manager shared valuable insight for those looking at joining the PALM Scheme, “Take as many opportunities as you can within your workplace and develop those skills to take home with you... whether it's skills to help run a business or other skills to support yourself once you return home,” said his site manager.
"Pattson set a great example of what a PALM worker can achieve. Not only was he a dedicated worker, but he also represented his country to create opportunities for other Solomon Islanders,” said his site manager
Looking for your pathway to employment in Australia with FIP Group through the PALM Scheme?
Pattson Tutu worked for RWM within the meat processing industry in Victoria part of the PALM Scheme for three years before returning home to the Solomon Islands in 2023. During this time Pattson worked on the production line as a labourer and was actively engaged with the community. His Site Manager said “Pattson was a dedicated and focused worker in the meat processing industry, he was also involved with the local community and attended church weekly,”
It's moments like meeting Pattson in his home country and seeing the impact of his achievements that makes us site managers want to work and do more and more.
Reconnecting in their home country
One year later, his Site Manager, travelled to Savo Island, a small village in the Solomon Islands to meet Pattson, which was a heartwarming and eye-opening trip. "It was really emotional being able to see Pattson again. I spent a lot of time with him and other Solomon Island workers during their time here in Australia, celebrating the good and bad. They've become like family to me," said his Site Manager.
Witnessing Pattson's journey from arriving to Australia in 2019, to achieving many milestones and goals moved his site manager. "His goals were to support his family financially and improve their standard of living while he worked in Australia. He's so humble about what he has achieved," they added, highlighting Pattson's admirable humility amongst his grand achievements.
Impact and success beyond borders
During their trip, his site manager witnessed the impact of Pattson's accomplishments for his family and wider community. “With money saved working in Australia, he's built three houses, for himself and his siblings, one of which they call the 'canteen' which sells groceries and essentials to village locals," they shared. “Now that Pattson and his wife are expecting their first child, the properties he has built has taken away a lot of stress for this family and has laid solid financial foundations," said his site manager.
Since returning to his village, Pattson was appointed as a youth coordinator at his church and has also invested in boats for transportation, enhancing accessibility between islands and contributing to the economic growth of his community. "His whole island has benefited with better access to groceries and transport, while he is inspiring and educating the next generation in his village," his site manager said said, highlighting the broader impact of opportunities through the PALM Scheme.
Creating a lasting impact
Drawing from Pattson's achievements, his site manager shared valuable insight for those looking at joining the PALM Scheme, “Take as many opportunities as you can within your workplace and develop those skills to take home with you... whether it's skills to help run a business or other skills to support yourself once you return home,” said his site manager.
"Pattson set a great example of what a PALM worker can achieve. Not only was he a dedicated worker, but he also represented his country to create opportunities for other Solomon Islanders,” said his site manager
Looking for your pathway to employment in Australia with FIP Group through the PALM Scheme?
