GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO ATTEND FUNERAL FOR MALIETOA TANUMAFILI II OF SAMOA

16 May 2007

His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, will represent the government and people of Australia at the funeral of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa.

His Highness died last Friday at the age of 94.

The funeral service is to be held in Apia, Samoa on Friday.

His Highness was the oldest serving Head of State in the world and his reign was distinguished by his great wisdom, humour and dignity.

He was also the world's third-longest reigning living monarch after Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand since 1946, and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne in 1952.

Appointed as one of two high chiefs to jointly lead Samoa on Independence from New Zealand in 1962, His Highness held the post for 44 years after the death of his colleague Tupua Tamasese in 1963.

Media Contact:
Stephen Jiggins
02 62833519   or    0408 480 779
Government House
Canberra
16 May 2007