THE special administrator of the organisation that manages native title rights and interests on behalf of the Gunaikurnai people, is confident it can be turned around from being a loss-making entity.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation was placed under special administration on Monday after it was found to have lost an estimated $500,000 in the 2015-16 year.
Peter McQuoid of PDM Consultancy has been appointed as special administrator over the next six months.
He told The Express the organisation had a sound operation.
“The reason for the appointment was not because it was insolvent, it was purely because of problems at the strategic level if you like, having a skills-based board, etcetera,” Mr McQuoid said.
GLaWAC is a registered native title body corporate which has more than 600 members from five family clan groups.
Having spent this week securing the organisation’s assets, Mr McQuoid will also review its operations and budgets, and consult with elders and members over the six-month special administration period.
“We have to turn it around from being a loss-making entity and make sure we put into place strategies where it will at least break even for future years,” Mr McQuoid said.
He said acting chief executive Joanne Brunt had done a fantastic job “holding the corporation together” and she would remain with the organisation until a permanent chief executive was employed.
All board positions, which became vacant when Mr McQuoid was appointed, will be filled by new board members in consultation with elders and members.
An information meeting will be held at 193-197 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale from 9am tomorrow.
There, people can find out about the role and aims of the special administration, the progress to date, form an advisory group and ask questions. Another information meeting should be held in about three weeks’ time.
