GOVERNMENT and health authorities continue to assist a Wodonga Indigenous organisation as some community members raise concerns about its operations.
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Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation is still being monitored by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), which issued a compliance notice in December 2015.
The corporation is also working in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The Mungabareena directors were sent a letter from members in March that called for their removal.
The letter, seen by The Border Mail and thought to include about 30 signatures, requested a general meeting be held to discuss issues but this had not occurred, possibly because the letter did not comply with set forms.
A Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation representative did not return calls from The Border Mail but chairperson Michelle Williams contributed to a statement released by VACCHO.
“Working in partnership will build a strong organisation that is able to provide much needed services to our Aboriginal community,” she said.
“Maintaining strong connection to culture and accessing culturally appropriate services through the Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation are critical to ensure the success of the Close The Gap targets set by government.”
VACCHO chief executive Jill Gallagher said sustainability could be a challenge given the expanding number of reforms impacting small to medium-sized health and well-being organisations.
Registrar of Indigenous Corporations Anthony Beven said for many years ORIC had provided services to improve the corporation’s governance and help resolve internal disputes.
A spokesman for Senator Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, said any issues were matters for ORIC to consider.
“The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is aware of concerns relating to the Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation,” the spokesman said.