[Chapter-delegates] Les Allinson - Eulogy

[Zaid Ali]

I had the honor of knowing Les for the last 15 years, he was also a business partner and also a good friend. When I started out as a young network administrator in Fiji Les was always there to encourage me. We fought the local telco monopoly together and he worked very hard in bringing Internet to small island nations in the south pacific. I will have many fond memories of Les including the TGIF he put together at SOPAC to bring network and sysadmins together building a great community of friends. 

Farewell my good friend.

Zaid

On Aug 18, 2012, at 5:56 AM, Rajnesh D. Singh wrote:

> 
> With great sadness, I advise the passing away of my good friend, co-conspirator, and long time ISOC member, Les Allinson.
> 
> Les spent a couple of decades working in the Pacific Islands, and with others, was instrumental in establishing and promoting Internet connectivity and ICTs in many Pacific Island economies. He spent many years working for inter-governmental regional organisations in the Pacific, including the Forum Fisheries Agency and SOPAC.
> 
> He helped initiate many capacity building initiatives, and also contributed to projects in other regions, including Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. A large part of his focus in the Pacific was technology transfer to the island economies, and building a pool of Pacific Islanders who had the ICT skills and knowledge to further development of the Pacific region.
> 
> He was a strong proponent of telecommunications deregulation and competition, and did much to push this in the Pacific Islands.
> 
> Les was a founding member of the Pacific Islands Chapter	(PICISOC), and served on the executive as well, most recently as Treasurer. In the past, he was also the chapter's representative to APRALO, part of ICANN's At-Large. He also served as Vice-Chair of APRALO.
> 
> Les passed away in the care of family in Australia Saturday morning.
> 
> Les loved the sea and was an avid mariner. I spent many fine times with him at the Royal Suva Yacht Club, which we both frequented. This was also the location where we, in the company of willing others, put many conspiracies to rest, and created new ones.
> 
> Les was also a dear friend of my family and much loved and respected.
> 
> Fair winds and following seas, my friend, and long may your big jib draw!
> 
> Rajnesh Singh
> rds at jugad.in
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Rajnesh D. Singh
> Asia-Pacific Bureau
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