The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Selwyn Button, yesterday announced the end of the special administration of Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation (Mungabareena).
Mungabareena was incorporated in 1994 and is located in Wodonga, Victoria. It provides a range of culturally appropriate services to meet the health and wellbeing needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Wodonga, Victoria and the surrounding region.
Mungabareena was placed under special administration on 7 December 2017 to address a range of issues covering governance, human resources, program delivery, finances and engagement with stakeholders.
‘The initial appointment was made after a request was received from the majority of the former directors,’ Mr Button said. ‘This appointment was until 8 March 2018 but was extended several times as financial, probity and contractual problems raised by members, funding bodies and other stakeholders appeared more widespread and complex than anticipated, therefore taking longer to resolve.'
The special administrator made practical changes to improve corporate governance such as introducing an audit and risk committee as well as a panel for CEO performance appraisal. On the operational side there were several changes designed to strengthen business and service delivery: new organisational structure and reporting lines, addressing issues raised by auditors of funded services and programs, reviewing housing management practices.
The corporation is now ready to be handed back to the control of its members.
‘I’d like to thank the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. (VACCHO) for their significant support throughout the special administration and their commitment to continue doing so,’ Mr Button said.
‘When you’ve got a community of people depending on you for their health and well-being services, it’s vital that you not only administer quality services through a sustainable business model but ensure you maintain high standards of community and stakeholder engagement.’
The Registrar’s office will monitor the corporation over the next 12 months and offer governance training for the corporation’s new directors.
Background
See the Registrar’s previous media release of 7 December 2017, Victorian health and community Aboriginal corporation seeks help (ORIC MR1718-17).
Media contact
Lisa Hugg (02) 6146 4738 or 0477 762 290
ORIC MR1819-08
1 February 2019