Australian Army officer Lieutenant Ella Hopper spent a week in Samoa at the start of the month strengthening communication links and building friendships through Pacific Partnership 2025.

Deployed to Apia as part of the multinational humanitarian assistance exercise, Lieutenant Hopper served as an internal communications observer, helping assess and refine emergency response coordination between partner nations.

“I’ve been observing how the emergency services and the National Emergency Operations Centre communicate with one another,” Lieutenant Hopper said.

“I provide feedback and advice on how they could improve information flow, reporting and contingency planning.”

Pacific Partnership brings together military, government and non-government organisations from across the Indo-Pacific to enhance disaster-response cooperation.

“It felt more like real life than a simulated exercise,” Lieutenant Hopper said.

“In something like Talisman Sabre, we’re preparing for a notional scenario; here, it’s about responding to real events that could affect people’s lives.”

'These countries face natural disasters far more often than most parts of Australia.'

Originally from the Sunshine Coast and now posted to 1st Signal Regiment, Lieutenant Hopper said she was drawn to the opportunity to work with Pacific partners and learn from their experience.

“These countries face natural disasters far more often than most parts of Australia,” she said.

“They bring a wealth of real-world experience, and it’s been great to learn how they operate and where we can best support them.”

Outside her professional role, Lieutenant Hopper shares a strong sporting connection with Samoa through rugby – a sport that has taken her across the world with the Australian Defence Force team.

“Many of my friends are Samoan rugby players living in Australia,” Lieutenant Hopper said.

“Rugby builds the same kind of teamwork and respect we see in exercises like this – everyone working together toward a common goal.”

Experiencing Samoa for the first time, she said the warmth of the people and the beauty of the islands made a lasting impression.

“I’m definitely coming back for a holiday,” Lieutenant Hopper said.

“It’s such a beautiful country – green, relaxed and welcoming. Working alongside our Pacific partners here has been an incredible experience.”