PIMA Media Release

February 2006

Election of the Executive Board of PIMA

At PIMA’s Annual General Meeting held on 2 February 2006, elections were held for the PIMA Executive Board. Outgoing Chairman Mr Lawrence Foana’ota expressed his thanks to all Board members for their work over the past term of 3 years, adding that PIMA recognized and appreciated their significant personal contribution to progressing the Association’s aims and objectives, and their service to the Pacific Islands museum community.

Mr Foana’ota gave special mention to outgoing Board Member Ms Sagale Buadromo (Director Fiji Museum), who has undertaken the role of the PIMA Secretariat since 2003. He also thanked outgoing Board Member Mr Robin Hekau (Director Huanaki Cultural Centre – Niue) for his contributions since 1999.

The following PIMA Board Members were elected:

• Chair – Ms Faustina Rehuher (Director, Belau National Museum – Palau)
• Deputy Chair – Mr Simon Poraituk (Acting Director, Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery)
• Secretary – Ms Sina Ah Poe (Assistant Curator, Museum of Samoa)
• Treasurer – Mr Emmanuel Kasarhérou (Director, Agence de Développement de la Culture Kanak - Centre Culturel Tjibaou)
• Adi Meretui Ratunabuabua (Principal Cultural Development Officer, Department of Culture and Heritage, Fiji)
• Mr Ralph Regenvanu (Director, Vanuatu Cultural Centre)
• Hon. Albert Tu’ivanuavou Vaea (Secretary, Tonga Traditions Committee)
• Honorary Board Member and Immediate Past Chairman - Mr Lawrence Foana’ota (Director, Solomon Islands National Museum)

In her first address as new Chair, Ms Faustina Rehuher thanked her fellow continuing board members, and welcomed new members Ms Sina Ah Poe, Adi Meretui Ratunabuabua and Hon Albert Vaea.

PIMA’s Subcommittees

Three new Subcommittees have been formed to develop strategic areas of PIMA’s operations. These committees report to the Board, and are each chaired by a Board Member who will recruit further members. They are:

• Fundraising – Chair, Mr Emmanuel Kasarherou
• Policy Development – Chair, Mr Simon Poraituk
• Training and Professional Development – Chair, Mr Ralph Regenvanu