When Richie Unga walks into a room, the energy shifts. It’s not just his presence—it’s his heart. The kind of heart that sees people, not labels. That listens deeply. That welcomes everyone—from bikies to grandmas to the quietest soul in the room—with the same warmth and respect.

As Managing Director of FLIP, Rich leads from the front with passion that can’t be faked. For him, this isn’t just work—it’s a calling. He often says, “I’d do this for free if I didn’t have bills,” and you feel that in everything he does. Every handshake. Every conversation. Every young leader he lifts.
Rich’s gift is connection. He builds trust fast, speaks truth with compassion, and knows how to hold space where others feel safe to grow. Strong but fair, relatable and real—he brings people together, breaks down barriers, and opens doors others wouldn’t even knock on.

With networks that stretch far and wide—and a fearless approach to finding his way into any room—Rich makes things happen. He’s not afraid to ask the question everyone else avoids, because he knows that leadership isn’t about having the answers. It’s about showing up, every single day, with integrity, courage, and heart.

And that’s exactly why he started FLIP.

Taufa Unga is the steady heart behind the systems and strategies that keep FLIP moving forward. As Operations Manager, she brings more than just efficiency—she brings soul.
Driven by an unwavering faith and a deep sense of purpose, Taufa creates environments where people don’t just show up… they feel seen, safe, and supported. Her emotional intelligence allows her to read the room, understand unspoken needs, and respond with care and clarity.

With a rare blend of professionalism and compassion, Taufa is known for offering grounded solutions—even in the midst of chaos. She leads with grace, acts with intention, and empowers those around her to do the same.

Behind her strategic mindset is a strong sense of family and community. Whether she’s coordinating a major project or cheering from the sidelines at a weekend footy match, Taufa shows up with loyalty and heart.
In every conversation, every decision, and every detail, she makes FLIP not just a leadership program—but a place to belong.

Greetings, my name is Langi. I was born and raised in Canberra. I have Tongan heritage and an appreciation for the culture. I love spending time with family and friends, listening to music and exploring my creativity through arts and crafts.

I have worked in the Legal industry and currently in Tertiary education.

I joined FLIP in 2023 and am proud to say that it has been the most rewarding. I am inspired by FLIP’s passion and drive to support, nurture and empower clients and their families in the community.
My advice is that life can be tough, take a deep breath, give yourself a break and be kind to yourself!

My name? Eleanor Po’oi but everyone knows me by Noa 
Little bit about myself? I am the youngest of 3, married to one of the greatest men and have 1 beautiful energetic toddler of a daughter. I am very big on family and a big believer in what is meant to be, will be.

Where you’re from and your background:
Born here in Australia and raised in America, East Palo Alto, California to be exact. My parents are both originally from Tonga, so we love embracing different cultures, it’s within our blood.

A bit about your journey:
Most my life I have worked retail and receptionist jobs, my last job was 9.5 years with a very known tech company. So when I came to work for FLIP it was definitely something different that I don’t regret one bit.

What inspired you to do this work:
My dad passed when I was 4 so being able to be a part of something that helps kids that may be missing a parent or both is a massive win for me, seeing the support workers pour life/love/care into youth and NDIS clients makes me one proud behind the scenes type of worker. Seeing clients grow and our workers grow too is like a dominoes effect, I feel as if I am growing as well.

A piece of advice or encouragement:
A piece of advice from me to anyone would be “Take care of YOU first, because you can’t save souls if your soul is running on empty”

• I’m a very proud Samoan/Australian, with both my parents being born in the islands.
• I come from the Christian faith.
• I’m the third eldest in my big Islander family.
• Family is everything to me.
• I’m currently playing sport outside of work for enjoyment, because I enjoy the team aspect that comes with being around it—discipline and hard work to get the outcome. I believe this does transfer into everyday life and also being a part of any awesome work family.

Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed helping those around me at a young age. The sense of gratitude and humility. In that, I’ve felt drawn to this sector of work. The thought of being of assistance to different people—it’s a special feeling. Even to this day, I still feel the warmth of those I’ve crossed paths with. This journey we’re on has been amazing. Life really is a roller coaster, which we enjoy the ride. I love that every day is never the same. I enjoy working with new challenges that arise. With that, we strive to inspire young youth, planting that seed of hope while helping those in need with everyday life. I can honestly say I have the best life.

No dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.
Jesus is the answer to it all.

Ko Maxwell ahau,
He uri au nō Ngāti Hāmo me Ngāti Tonga

Ko Aoraki te Maunga
Ko Waimakariri te Awa

Aaaaauuuuu shush..

Straight outta QuakeCity – Ōtautahi, Christchurch, New Zealand. Born to a Tongan father from Nomuka Ha’apai and a Samoan mother from Manono Tai, I grew up surrounded by strong role models who shaped the way I see the world.

My journey started in the church as a youth member, where I quickly realised two things. I wanted to be a leader, and I had a voice worth using, whether that was in a sermon or on stage. Performing arts became my passion, and I ran with it.
My first gig as a youth worker was over 13 years ago when I lived in Auckland, mentoring Maori & Pasifika youth at risk using theatre and storytelling, skills I honed through study and experience. That path led me into youth justice work back home in Christchurch before I packed my bags for Canberra in 2018. Three years later, I found my way to FLIP and I’ve been here ever since.

Why do I do this work? Because I know the power of having someone believe in you.. and I want to be that person for someone else.

A piece of advice from me:
If life throws you watermelons, make otai!! Ifooouna!
There’s always a way. As cliche as it is. Celebrate small victories!

My name is Hayden Smith. I was born and raised mostly in Canberra, and also lived in Orange NSW from ages 4-9.
Growing up, I enjoyed playing sports such as Basketball, AFL and skateboarding. My main passion has always been music. I fell in love with Hip Hop music in my early teens and began writing, producing and recording music. This became a powerful tool which allowed me to find myself but also express myself in moments when I felt lost.

Throughout the years I have achieved success releasing music as a solo artist and also collaborating with other notable artists.

Music opened up an opportunity to run music programs at The Street University in 2015 and then at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in 2019. These platforms allowed me to build experience in the youth work space and I quickly realised the importance of genuine connections through support work and mentoring.

I joined FLIP in 2022 and it has been an incredible journey with a great team of people. I’m inspired to use my life experiences to help assist and guide the young people in a positive direction and this had given me great purpose in my own life in return.

My words of encouragement/ advice:

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. I strongly believe that everybody has a specific purpose in this life. All it takes is effort and dedication to achieve your goals.

Malo e lelei ko hoku hingoa ko Viliami Hilikaia Manu.

Hi, my name is Viliami Manu (Ami for short) I was born in Tonga, adopted out to NZ but grew up in Cali, America – I made my way to Canberra, Australia in 2015, met my wife in 2019 & we welcomed our son in 2020.

I was raised in small town East Palo Alto, where crime was rampant, and times were hard – I experienced a lot during my youth years, some good, lots bad but all which leads me to where I am today – a proud worker of FLIP Future Leaders in Progress, grinding everyday, for my family and to help all who pass through our service.

I strive to be a friend, an advocate & the role model I needed growing up.

Josh. Age 30. I am new to support work. I have previously worked in construction and wanted to try something more rewarding and meaningful. I like playing music, camping, exercise and spending time with family and friends.

Talofa lava, my name is Peni.

I was born in Sydney but now currently live here in Canberra.
I’ve worked in the construction industry majority of my working life but made the transition to youth work recently and am loving every part of it!

What inspired me to do this type of work was my upbringing. A lot was thrown my way, and I could’ve easily gone down the wrong path. I was blessed enough to have improved my surroundings and found the light at the end of the tunnel as they say.

1 piece of advice that will always stick with me is ” no matter how far in life you go, never forget who you are and where you’re from. Stay true to yourself even if it means standing out”

Hey, I’m Teleisia! I’m a support worker who’s passionate about helping young/ challenged people discover their potential and navigate the ups and downs of life.

Where I’m from & my background:
I hail from the Kingdom of Tonga and the white clouds of Aotearoa…. Growing up, I learned a lot about the importance of community, family, and understanding who you are in a world that often tries to define you.

A bit about my journey:
My journey hasn’t been perfect. I’m the oldest child of 8 kids and like most of us, I’ve faced challenges, setbacks, and moments where I wasn’t sure of the next step. But every experience — good or bad — taught me something important. Over time, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come without some discomfort, but it’s through those moments that we learn the most about who we are and what we’re capable of.

What inspired me to do this work:
What inspired me to get into support work was because of my personal experience growing up with a disabled brother. Watching him navigate the world with different challenges made me realise how important it is for people with disabilities to have the right support, understanding, and opportunities. I saw firsthand how much of an impact good care and advocacy can have on someone’s life. His journey inspired me

to pursue a career where I could help others in similar situations, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to live fulfilling lives. It’s a way for me to give back and make a real difference in people’s lives, just like the support my family and I worked to provide for my brother.

A piece of advice or encouragement:
My advice would be: Don’t rush. Life is about discovering who you are and what truly matters to you. It’s okay not to have everything figured out, and it’s okay to fail. Each step, even the missteps, brings you closer to your purpose. Believe in your own path and trust the process. You’re capable of more than you think, and you have everything you need inside of you to succeed.

My name is Kyle and I’m a 28-year-old Aboriginal and Tongan man who is passionate about supporting and empowering young people.

My journey has shaped who I am today, and I bring lived experience, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose to the work I do.

I understand what it’s like to feel lost, and I also know what it takes to rebuild. My journey hasn’t been smooth, but every setback has pushed me to find strength, make better choices, and build a future I could be proud of.

What drives me is the opportunity to be the kind of support I needed when I was younger – someone who listens, understands, and believes in the potential of young people, no matter where they come from.

My advice? Even in the darkest seasons, there’s always a way forward. Keep showing up, keep moving, and never forget that your story matters.