For Paelata (Pae) Fetuu (MPublicAdmin(Social Impact)’26), a Master of Public Administration at Flinders University was far more than a qualification, it was a transformative journey of personal growth, cultural grounding and renewed purpose.
“Flinders offered programs that aligned closely with my professional interests in public administration, and it had a distinctive approach to learning and teaching that is essential for my policy work back home in Tonga,” Pae reflects.
Pae serves as Major and Officer Command Movement Unit at the Headquarters of His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) in Tonga. With a background in intelligence, Pae’s role spans both administrative and operational leadership. She prepares the HMAF Annual Report for government submission and supports the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in finalising key documentation and correspondence. Her studies in social impact have further equipped her to embed purpose-driven leadership, accountability and sustainable impact within her work in Tonga.
However, living and studying in Adelaide challenged Pae in new ways. Being away from home pushed her to adapt, build confidence, and embrace unfamiliar cultural environments.
“It strengthened my independence and broadened my view of the world,” Pae reflects. Lessons that shaped her just as deeply as her studies.
A turning point came through Pae’s Social Impact topics taught by Flinders Senior Lecturer, Sandra Robinson.
“Social Impact brought humanity into policymaking,” Pae reflects.
“Sandra taught me to look beyond systems and structures, and instead focus on people, their wellbeing, voices, and lived experiences.
“She helped validate the values I had always lived by, which lie at the heart of social impact.”
Pae’s 90‑hour industry placement at Anglicare SA deepened this understanding. Working closely with community focused programs reinforced her belief in the human stories behind policies and strengthened her commitment to shaping systems that genuinely serve people.
As Pae prepares to return to Tonga, she carries with her a renewed sense of purpose, one grounded in compassion, cultural identity, and service. Guided by the Tongan principle of tauhi vā, the practice of nurturing respectful, reciprocal relationships, Pae sees social impact within the Tongan military as deeply rooted in cultural tradition.
For Pae, serving others is not just policy work, but an extension of community, belonging, and collective responsibility.
Reflecting on her journey, Pae offers heartfelt advice to future Social Impact and Public Administration students.
“Social Impact isn’t just an academic discipline; it’s a way of seeing the world. It will challenge you to think critically, act compassionately, and engage deeply with the people and systems around you. It won’t just shape your career; it will shape who you are.”
Find Your Fearless: Study Public Administration
Find Your Fearless: Study Social Impact