With little heavy industry and few factories at home, most Samoans grow their own food and sell some of their crops to make a meagre income.

People have their own land and a small home and their lives are much less centred upon money than in Australia.

Pastor Sunia Belcher, of Narre Warren's Redeemer Samoan Revival Christian Church, says his community has to do a lot of work to help Samoan settlers adjust to Melbourne life.

"Everything is money here and you need support."

The church helps migrants to look for work, often in factories, or to get welfare support.

Mr Belcher said the community felt well-respected because its members were well-behaved solid citizens.

"I stand on solid ground to direct [young people] to live a well-behaved life, not only in the church but in the workplace and on the road."

Mr Belcher said a shining example of the goodwill directed to the community was the massive response to the church's tsunami appeal last month.

The church was flooded with cash, clothes, toys and electrical goods, and a Dandenong freight company donated a container to ship the goods to Samoa.

"We want to express our deep appreciation to the community in Dandenong and Casey for their generosity," Mr Belcher said. "From the bottom of our hearts."