Sometimes the greatest things in life happen when we least expect them. This was the experience of Timoci Balenaivalu, the principal archivist at the National Archives of Fiji.
Timoci is among the few in Fiji qualified to maintain official files and records, a skill that has earned him the position of President of the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (PARBICA). Timoci, the youngest of three siblings from Nakorosule, Naitasiri, attended multiple schools where his father, a civil servant, was posted. Among these were Ra High School, Ba Provincial High School, and Swami Vivekananda College.
After finishing high school, Timoci’s career in record management began unexpectedly. Seeking income during school holidays, he went job hunting, remembering his career teacher’s advice about the importance of visiting offices in person. Following this advice, he chanced upon the National Archives of Fiji, learned about their vacancy, and applied.
Timoci began his career there in 1994 at the age of 20, starting as an archives assistant. Over the past thirty years, he has amassed extensive knowledge and skills in record keeping and maintenance. Initially, he worked as a reprographer, responsible for organizing old records for microfilming and ensuring they followed the original document order.
His interest in the field grew through interactions with people researching genealogical and historical information. Early in his career, Timoci learned from his diligent supervisor, who completed most of his tasks by mid-morning, inspiring Timoci to adopt a similar work ethic.
Timoci’s career progressed from menial tasks, such as moving office plants, to handling documents and records, often encountering eerie experiences in the older building. Despite these moments, he enjoyed helping the public and learning customer service skills.
His dedication led him to a scholarship at the University of Western Australia, where he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in information management with a specialization in archives and records management.
Timoci emphasizes the importance of proper record keeping to ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance within institutions and offices.