Last January, SEAPAVAA council member Alipate Mateitoga passed away. A dear colleague and an enthusiastic councilor, Alipate’s passion for Fiji, the Pacific and the development of small archives across the region nonetheless strongly remain with the Association despite his absence.
During the 26th Executive Council and 13th General Assembly meetings in Indonesia last May, the Association has agreed to look for individuals to fill in the vacancy that Alipate left. Looking at the set priorities and the work programme of the Association for the next three years which include growing member base in and actively engaging the Pacific, the EC thought it is best to invite someone from the said key region.
As recommended by colleagues in the Association and by key individuals in the Pacific, the EC invited Ms. Setaita Natai Niqara to fill in the position. It was an invitation that Ms. Niqara gladly accepted.
Ms. Niqara is currently the head of the Film and Television Unit of the Ministry of Information of Fiji and has recently been inducted as a member of the Fiji Memory of the World Committee. Given her experience and work in the Ministry and her active participation during the 13th Conference and General Assembly, the EC believes that she would contribute invaluably to the council.
Ms. Niqara will be serving as a SEAPAVAA Councilor until 2011.