The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has placed the Aboriginal Corporation for Sporting and Recreational Activities (ACSRA) under special administration.
Located in the Canberra suburb of Narrabundah the corporation encourages participation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in sport at a local, state and national level.
For the past 30 years ACSRA has held the leasehold title to Boomanulla Oval in Canberra, an iconic sporting institution for local people. From modest beginnings as a sporting and recreational facility ‘Boomanulla’ grew and flourished over the years. In its heyday it was a significant arena for sports and cultural activities for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, especially the Ngunnawal, Ngambri and Wiradjuri peoples.
On 25 November 2014 the directors of the corporation wrote to the Registrar requesting that ACSRA be placed under special administration in view of their growing concerns about the corporation’s viability. Boomanulla Oval has been closed since that time.
‘Boomanulla Oval stands as a cultural and sporting icon in Canberra,’ said Mr Beven. ‘It means a great deal to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The people do not want to lose the oval but the corporation is in serious financial trouble.’
The Registrar has appointed Mr Frank Lo Pilato and Mr Tony Grieves from the Canberra- based accounting firm of RSM Bird Cameron as the joint and several special administrators until 30 June 2015.
‘Mr Lo Pilato and Mr Grieves will work closely with my office, funding agencies and the Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to work out how best to resolve the corporation’s financial problems,’ said Mr Beven. ‘They will look at all options to re‑open the gates at Boomanulla Oval.’
Background
Special administration is a special measure under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 which helps corporations to fix their own problems. The aim of the process is to restore a corporation to good health and, once this is achieved, to return control to members as soon as possible. For more information please see the Registrar’s fact sheet Special administrations: what members and directors should know available at www.oric.gov.au.
Media contact
Patricia Gibson (02) 6146 4743
ORIC MR1415-18
24 December 2014