Aren Baoa is known to many of us in the media industry in the Pacific as a video and television trainer. His work involved putting together satellites to allow for radio link, providing technical advice and support on video technical issues and training young video producers.

Two months ago Aren, retired from the Regional Media Centre. He spent 21 years with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and was part of the organisational and institutional changes that SPC has undergone.

At the Regional Media Centre (RMC) he was in the midst of a technological revolution which kept him on his toes, particularly in ensuring that machines and equipment used in media productions like Pacific Way were state-of-the-art.

As technical officer for RMC, Aren was well aware that information and communication systems change rapidly so it was imperative to learn about the impacts of fast-changing technology on the work of RMC.

Asked to describe his experiences, Aren had this to say:

‘I have been stranded on the remote island of Ebeye, filmed underwater, visited some of the remotest parts of the Pacific like Pitcairn Island, travelled to other parts of the globe — Nepal, Asia, Africa and the Middle East — documented tuna tagging in the high seas of PNG’s exclusive economic zone, filmed and witnessed the inauguration of the Tuna Commission ….. all in all, it has been an experience like no other.’

Over the years, he became absorbed in cultures of the Pacific as he documented many of the Pacific festivals of arts.

‘I met and grew to know many Pacific Islanders who have made my experience a worthwhile one. In meetings and while training Pacific Islanders in television production, I gained an understanding of how people work and do things the way they do, and these are experiences that I would not have come across were it not for my employment at SPC,’ he said.

From a youthful look to a distinguished appearance with pronounced lines on his face and grey hair at his temples, Aren felt it was time to move on.

The Regional Media Centre will surely miss him.