Following the sacking of its executive team recently, a special general meeting of members of Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative, GEGAC, has passed a motion of confidence in the present board.
The meeting, which was attended by about 50 of its more than 200 members on Monday, also voted against a motion to appoint an independent legal representative for members in relation to alleged breaches of the co-operative’s national law by the GEGAC board.
The recently appointed chairman of the board, Michael Eagles, said Monday’s meeting “was orderly” and there was a “strong vote of confidence for the action the board has taken over the last two months”.
The Bairnsdale Advertiser reported in September that the executives dismissed included the chief executive officer, Bradley Brown, the general manager, cultural care director, business development manager, training and innovative manager and the quality manager.
Acting chief executive officer, Adrian Morgan, said he was unable to comment any further on the terminations because the matter is still before the Fair Work Commission.
Mr Brown is the only executive not to have lodged a claim with the commission.
Since the upheaval, the acting CEO and board chairman have been determined to move forward.
Peter Blackie has been appointed chief financial officer and Chris Beal takes over as operations manager.
A medical practice manager will be appointed next month and the position of chief executive officer will be advertised.
Mr Morgan says some positions left vacant following the dismissals are currently being filled by existing staff.
“We want our staff to feel safe at work and not afraid to speak up about things,” Mr Morgan said.
He hints that there had been a previous culture where staff felt intimidated.
Mr Eagles says there were people in the community “hurting, who hadn’t felt welcome at GEGAC”.
“The comments we received today (at Monday’s meeting) is that they now feel welcome again,” Mr Eagles said.
Both men agreed it was important for Aboriginal communities in East Gippsland to work together. The board has set up an elders council and a youth council.
Mr Eagles said there had been complaints that management had been “isolated from community”.
Five of the seven GEGAC board positions are now up for election. Nominations for the board positions opened on Wednesday.
An annual general meeting in late November will declare the five positions vacant and will either re-elect or elect new members. Mr Eagles said he hoped the new board would “continue its work of good governance”.
PICTURED: The new chair of the GEGAC board, Michael Eagles, with acting chief executive officer, Adrian Morgan. GEGAC members have indicated confidence in the present board.
