Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

A senior member of the Gerard community says accountability for ongoing poor management of the area is needed to improve living conditions for its residents.

Berri man Tyson Lindsay has raised concerns surrounding continued mismanagement of the Gerard Community Council and the resulting impact on community members.

Mr Lindsay – a former resident of Gerard – said residents were feeling “left in the dark” due to ongoing speculation surrounding the council’s leadership.

“It’s an undeniable fact the governance of the community is an issue,” Mr Lindsay said.

“The community and elders are in the dark. We don’t know what’s happening, but we want to know what’s happening.”

The Gerard Community Council Aboriginal Corporation appeared in the Berri Magistrates Court in February and September.

The Murray Pioneer in December 2020 reported a letter was sent – in November of that year – to the Gerard Community Council Aboriginal Corporation requesting all council directors be immediately removed from their positions.

It is understood aspects of the council’s operation are still being examined.

“These sorts of things, that we need to highlight as indigenous people as well, are being swept under the carpet” he said.

“We’re getting funding, and people are in charge of quite a significant amount of dollars that are supposed to be allocated toward the community, but they don’t use it for that purpose.

“This is the hidden crisis we want to highlight, and the fact we want our voices to be heard and we want change.

“We want accountability. Elders, community members and the wider Aboriginal community are wondering what’s going on.”

Mr Lindsay said a lack of community direction was driving increased health and safety concerns for Gerard residents.

“Only five of 19 Closing the Gap targets are being met, and this all links into that,” he said.

“There are school-aged kids out there… do you want kids around people that are doing dodgy stuff?

“There’s only one way in and out of Gerard, and it’s quite dry around that area. If a fire breaks out, all those kids are trapped.

“This feeds into that larger cycle because of the lack of accountability.”

Mr Lindsay said establishment of the SA Voice to Parliament had failed to improve living conditions in Gerard.

The Murray Pioneer has contacted a local SA Voice to Parliament representative, and the Department for Aboriginal Affairs, for comment regarding the situation. 

This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 13 November 2024.