Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
The current Gerard Council will again appear before the Berri Court, in January, with a “reset” in its management needed to help the community, according to a wellknown local figure.
A report in last week’s edition of The Murray Pioneer detailed concerns from Berri man Tyson Lindsay regarding the management of the Gerard community.
In response to the article, a State Government spokesperson said “the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (Kyam Maher) has been made aware of the concerns that have been raised by Mr Lindsay”.
“These concerns have principally been regarding Gerard Community Council Aboriginal Corporation’s (GCCAC) obligations under the Commonwealth’s Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) ,” the spokesperson said.
“The Federal Government, through the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations (ORIC), is best placed to consider any governance and administrative concerns of GCCAC.
“ORIC has brought proceedings against the GCCAC in the Berri Magistrates Court. This has been adjourned for hearing on 29 January 2025.”
A letter sent from Mr Lindsay to Gerard Council directors – dated 25 March 2024 and outlining decisions made at a community meeting held earlier that month attended by “40 community members” – asked for all council positions to be made vacant, with elections for new representatives to follow.
Mr Lindsay said action was needed to improve council leadership in order for the community to improve.
“We appreciate the swift response to concerns raised and relevant authorities to ensure that transparency is upheld for our community to grow and necessary measures are applied to ensure accountability, as the community’s future depends on it” Mr Lindsay said.
“The community and elders in and around Gerard have mentioned a reset of the entire governance structure and leadership, while trusted individuals should be given the opportunity to lead as per the letter and proposals put forward by the community earlier this year.
“If we want to improve statistics and Closing The Gap (targets), we must listen to the community and work with trusted individuals put forward by the community and elders, as management is the key to prosperity.”
It is understood Mr Lindsay has been invited to speak on First Nation matters in Sydney in the near future.
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 20 November 2024.
Related story: Gerard wants accountability