The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Ms Tricia Stroud, has today announced the end of the special administration of Njernda Aboriginal Corporation.
Incorporated in 1991 and based in Echuca, Victoria, Njernda receives funding to operate a medical service and health related services, family services, youth services and a childcare centre.
Njernda’s services are vitally important to the community, and boardroom disputes were putting them in jeopardy. Those circumstances prompted a majority of directors to request appointment of a special administrator. The corporation was placed under special administration on 15 November 2021.
The special administrators found that Njernda’s governance and human resources management had been in poor health for some time. The corporation had been without a CEO for 6 months, and there were a number of complex human resource issues that had remained unresolved for an extended period of time.
During the special administration, a new, dedicated HR manager was engaged and has been working to address the staffing issues and improve workforce development and training.
A new CEO with 20 years’ experience in Aboriginal health and community service has also been appointed and is well placed to take the corporation forward.
A revision to the rule book now allows the appointment of up to 2 specialist independent directors. The special administrators have appointed one independent director with the new incoming board able to appoint one more.
‘The reinstatement of secure governance and operations, and the return to community control are priorities for ORIC’, said Ms Stroud. ‘I am pleased that the special administration has resulted in the security of much needed health and wellbeing services for the local community. The corporation can now take its services forward supported by strong governance’.
Background
In this financial year, 4 corporations’ special administrations have ended and in all 4 cases, the corporation has returned to community control.
See also the former Registrar’s media release: ‘Boardroom disputes jeopardise Victorian health service’, 15 November 2021 (ORIC MR2122-05)
Media contact
Lisa Hugg 0477 762 290
ORIC MR2122-14
17 June 2022