Unexpected moments often lead to significant changes in life, as demonstrated by Timoci Balenaivalu, the principal archivist at the National Archives of Fiji. With a unique expertise in managing official records, Mr. Balenaivalu has risen to become the President of the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (PARBICA).
Hailing from Nakorosule, Naitasiri, Balenaivalu is the youngest of three siblings and attended various schools due to his father’s civil service postings, including Ra High School, Ba Provincial High School, and Shri Vivekananda High School, which is now Swami Vivekananda College. After finishing high school, he unexpectedly embarked on a career in record management.
During his search for a temporary job over the school holidays, he remembered advice from a careers teacher, emphasizing the importance of direct engagement when job hunting. Passing by the National Archives of Fiji, he met a contact from the iTaukei Land Trust Board who informed him of a job vacancy. Despite not being familiar with the archives’ work, he approached the office, inquired about the position, and applied. He began working there in 1994 at the age of 20, right after completing Form 7.
Now nearing thirty years in the field, Mr. Balenaivalu has accumulated extensive knowledge and expertise in record keeping. Starting as a junior officer, he initially worked as a reprographer, responsible for collating old records for microfilming. This process involved ensuring the correct order of documents, essential for preserving records.
His passion for the field grew through interacting with researchers seeking genealogical and historical information. He found great satisfaction in helping people uncover records that validated their stories. In his early career, the collaborative workplace culture and mentorship he experienced greatly facilitated his learning and development.
Observing his supervisor’s work ethic inspired him to adopt similar practices, enhancing his productivity and leading to his advancement within the organization. As his role evolved, he took on various tasks, such as bringing pot plants inside each Monday after their outdoor care on Fridays.
Balenaivalu noted that years of handling records also came with unusual experiences, including hearing unexplained sounds in the archives at night. He enjoyed engaging with the public, often assisting at the switchboard to improve his customer service skills.
Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Balenaivalu credits his discipline and hard work for his success in a career he initially knew little about. His professional development included obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in information management with a focus on archives and records management from the University of Western Australia, funded by a scholarship.
He advocates for the significance of proper record keeping, stressing its role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in institutions and organizations.