9 May 2017

Handover of a healthy corporation

An information meeting for all GLaWAC members and stakeholders was held on Wednesday, 3 May 2017 at Forestec to announce the end of the special administration and the return of the corporation to member control.  Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) represents Traditional Owners from the Brataualung, Brayakaulung, Brabralung, Krauatungalung and Tatungalung family clans, who were recognised in the Native Title Consent Determination, made under the new Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, the first such agreement under that Act.

The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Mr Anthony Beven, praised everyone involved, “The staff, the members, the special administrator, Mr Peter McQuoid and the new directors. GLaWAC is a very different organisation to what it was six months ago. We have listened to community members and put in place strong processes, skilled staff and a skilled board.”

The role of special administration involved taking control of the assets and addressing some internal governance and financial management issues. Then restoring good operational order and returning control to the members.

The $500,000 deficit, before the special administration came in, has already been recouped thanks to the staff bringing in business and some cost cutting. GLaWAC is now operating in line with its budget, with costs matching income for at least the second half of this financial year. Changes to the rule book, which were discussed with members and the newly elected GLaWAC board, are now in place. The new member directors appointed at the end of the special administration have been appointed until at least the 2018 annual general meeting (AGM). Two non-member independent directors have also been appointed. The GLaWAC board consists of; Member directors-Troy McDonald, Russell Mullet, Doris Paton, Brian Stevens, Glenys Watts, Joanne Brunt, Independent directors-Graeme Dear and David Brennan.

Newly appointed CEO of GLaWAC, Roger Fenwick said “We will be hosting more cultural events and an information drive so that more people get acquainted with the corporation. I will be working hard with our board, Elders, staff and the community to build on our foundations and explore new opportunities, including increased efforts in the western region of Gunaikurnai country. I would also like to personally thank Jo Brunt for her hard work on behalf of all during the past six months. To all of our partners, we thank you for supporting and assisting us in achieving our goals.”

For more information please refer to the ABC Gippsland radio interview View Clip: http://news.mmu.vic.gov.au/search/?clip=85a35b1422392bd834741fcf3b1ab017