The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Mr Anthony Beven, today announced the end of the special administration of the Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation.
The corporation was established in 1989 and operates an internationally renowned arts centre in the remote community of Ramingining in Arnhem Land. It provides an important link to the retail world for artists in the community and surrounding areas.
The corporation experienced a difficult trading period in 2008. A majority of the corporation’s directors wrote and asked the Registrar to appoint a special administrator to help them work through this challenging time. The Registrar decided to place the corporation under special administration in December 2008.
Mr Beven said ‘Bula’bula Arts has established itself on the world stage. With many Bula’bula works prized among international collections, it is pleasing that the arts centre will continue to represent and promote the talented local artists in Ramingining.’
‘The special administrator has set up good financial and operational structures to help the corporation carry on business.
‘He has also recruited a new office manager and a curator. The level of sales over the last two months has been encouraging despite the downturn in the economy. The word is obviously out that the arts centre is open for business.’ Mr Beven said.
The corporation held its 2008 annual general meeting on 15 April 2009. At the meeting the members elected new directors to take control of the corporation at the end of the special administration. The new directors are Mr Billy Black, Ms Gladys Womati, Mr Peter Minygululu, Ms Clara Matjandatjpi, Mr Dale Djan Badi and Mr Bobby Bunungurr.
ORIC will run corporate governance training for the new directors and other interested people in Ramingining in the near future.
ORIC is focused on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improve the corporate governance of their corporations.
Background
The registered name of the corporation is Bulabula Arts Aboriginal Corporation however the corporation is also known as Bula’bula Arts Aboriginal Corporation.
Contact:
Lisa Donnelly
02 6219 7611
27 May 2009
ORIC MR0809–23