Lagi Perese is the Founder and Director of Talofa Pacific Island Cultural Services, bringing more than 30 years of experience supporting vulnerable children, families, and communities across Australia and New Zealand. She has over 20 years of statutory child protection practice, specialising in cumulative harm, trauma-informed intervention, and culturally safe responses for Pacific families. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability Studies), a Postgraduate Diploma of Science (Psychology), and a Graduate Certificate in Child and Family Practice.
Beginning her career as a support worker during university, Lagi went on to work across disability support, behaviour therapy, manager of residential care, and frontline crisis intervention before moving into statutory child protection, where she spent two decades advocating for safety, dignity, and cultural integrity within complex systems. She has supported thousands of children and families, with a practice grounded in cultural safety and early intervention.
Lagi established Talofa Pacific Island Cultural Services to create a dedicated, culturally safe space for Pacific families, practitioners, and community organisations. Under her leadership, Talofa delivers five programs across child protection, disability, men’s wellbeing, women’s connection, and employment pathways — each designed to strengthen identity, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes for Pacific communities.
She writes under the pen name Cecilia, chosen to honour her grandmother and protect her family’s privacy. Her first book, Not on My Watch: Protecting My Daughter When the System Wouldn’t – A Professional and Personal Account, is currently in its final layout stage and will be released later this year. Her second book, Culture is Safety: Child Protection Practice on First Nations Land, will be published in 2027, expanding her work into national practice reform.
Known for her clarity, compassion, and cultural authority, Lagi leads Talofa with a commitment to protecting children early, empowering Pacific families, and ensuring systems respond with respect, accountability, and cultural understanding.