Following months of an administration process, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is once again in community control.
Njernda was placed into the hands of administrators in November 2021 after five of the six directors voted to stand down.
They requested special administration from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations due to ongoing disputes and governance issues.
On June 17, Njernda was returned to community management with a newly appointed board and the implementation of a “new organisational structure”.
Under Administration powers, Tracey Dillon was appointed as chief executive.
She said the whole process had enabled Njernda to emerge as a “more focused and resilient organisation”.
“There has been a lot of change and there will be more — but I am very focused on bringing the community with us on this journey, listening and hearing and talking to community to ensure we are as effective as we can be in delivering the services our Mob needs,” she said.
Njernda was established in 1991, the organisation provides holistic services to the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community of Echuca and surrounds, including a medical centre, delivering family support, youth services and childcare.
The organisation also became embroiled in controversy following an investigation into alleged misused funds from 2005 to 2019.
A Campaspe Crime Investigation Unit spokesperson has confirmed the the matter is still under investigation.
The newly reset board is made up of John P Kerr, Aunty (Lulu) Jennifer Mitchell, Damian Morgan-Bulled, Aunty Janice Muir and Belinda Day, who was also elected as chairperson.
“We as an organisation and community have experienced some difficult times,” Ms Day said.
“We have an opportunity to acknowledge and learn from these past experiences as we heal, grow and work together for our future.”