She was born in Lae. Poems which she wrote as a schoolgirl were published by the Education Department, earning her a description as "PNG's youngest poet". In 1985, under the name Loujaya Dunar, "she launched a string of solo gospel music albums", beginning a career as a singer / songwriter. Most notably, she wrote the song "Keep the Fire Alive" and performed it with the group Tambaran Culture at the 1991 South Pacific Games in Port Moresby. A qualified journalist, she has also taught as a part-time tutor at the University of Technology in Lae.