First Nations Telegraph

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation Chair, Belinda Day. Image: supplied

The former Njernda Board requested special administration from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations in November 2021 due to ongoing boardroom disputes and having been without a CEO for an extended period as well as human resource and governance concerns.

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The Administrators oversaw the appointment of a highly experienced CEO Tracey Dillon, and worked to restore the organisation to good order, as well as establishing a new rule book for Njernda’s operations and appointing a new board. 

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Njernda Chief Executive Tracey Dillon said the administration process had allowed future proofing for Njernda to emerge as a more focussed and resilient organisation.

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“We’re in a very solid position and working now on implementing the structural changes we need to be as efficient as we can be as an organisation,” Ms Dillon said.

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“There has been a lot of change and there will be more – but I am very focussed 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.

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“Njernda has come through this process much stronger, and we are in a position to advocate and lead in our local communities – Aboriginal and mainstream – and that is what we will be doing.”

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Njernda was returned to Community control on June 17 after the administrators appointed a new community-based board comprising Belinda Day; John P Kerr; Aunty (Lulu) Jennifer Mitchell; Damian Morgan-Bulled; and Aunty Janice Muir. 

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The board elected Belinda Day as Njernda chairperson at its first meeting.

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Ms Day said she was looking forward to strengthening the organisation as it embarked on its post-administration journey.

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“I am proud and honored to be appointed chairperson, and it’s a role that I will undertake with integrity, honesty and compassion,” Ms Day said.

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“We have a strong and passionate board of individuals who understand the value of a community that is empowered to share their voice, their experiences and their aspirations,” she said.

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“We as an organisation and community have experienced some difficult times. We have an opportunity to acknowledge and learn from these past experiences as we heal, grow and work together for our future.”