As members of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, we recognise the importance of strong, accountable and culturally representative governance that remains responsive to the members and Traditional Owners it exists to represent. Members have raised significant concerns regarding aspects of governance, representation, communication and decision-making affecting GAC. These concerns include the broader governance relationship between GAC and Gumala Investments Pty Ltd (GIPL), the respective roles and exercise of authority between the two entities, and the extent to which current governance arrangements may be affecting GAC's ability to effectively represent, advocate for and deliver outcomes for its members.

Members are seeking greater clarity and accountability regarding where decisions are being made, who holds responsibility for those decisions, and whether the current governance relationship appropriately protects the voice, interests and decision-making role of GAC members and their elected representatives.

The proposed resolutions are therefore intended to strengthen member participation, accountability and cultural representation, including restoring a face-to-face Annual General Meeting where members can come together, receive information, ask questions, consider the governance issues affecting their Corporation and exercise their voting rights.

Matters to be Addressed at the Meeting:

• The need for greater transparency, accountability and meaningful member participation in significant decisions affecting GAC and its members.
• Issues of member underrepresentation, including within the directorial structure.
  Failure to ensure that the AGM is accessible to all members, including those requiring travel and accommodation.
• Longstanding unresolved issues including Yandi underpayment.
• The need for a Board structure that genuinely reflects the diversity of GAC's language groups.

After discussion, the following Resolutions are proposed for consideration at the meeting:

For clarity, while the Corporation is preparing for the requested General Meeting and the 2026 AGM, GAC is requested to maintain the status quo in relation to the matters the subject of these resolutions, and not take steps that would pre-empt, frustrate, or materially alter the issues to be determined by members at the meeting.

Resolution 1 — In-Person 2026 Annual General Meeting with Reimbursement for Travel and Accommodation

1.1. GAC hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting as an in-person meeting, in addition to any online or hybrid format that may be offered, pursuant to rule 7.3.2 of the GAC Rule Book; and

1.2. GAC provide reimbursement to members for reasonable travel and accommodation costs incurred in attending the 2026 in-person AGM; and

1.3. The amounts and eligibility conditions for such reimbursements be determined by GAC in accordance with its policies and financial capacity, and communicated to members in advance of the meeting; and

1.4. GAC publish the reimbursement rates and eligibility criteria in the Notice of Meeting accompanying the 2026 AGM notice.

Resolution 2 — Amendment to Rule Book: Director Representation by Language Group

2.1. The Rule Book of GAC be amended to provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of nine (9) language group directors, being three (3) directors elected by and from each of the following language groups:

(a) Banjima language group — three (3) directors;

(b) Yinhawangka language group — three (3) directors; and

(c) Nyiyiparli language group — three (3) directors.

2.2. Each language group director be elected exclusively by the members of their respective language group and shall represent the interests of that language group on the Board; and

2.3. GAC submit the required amendment to the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) for registration in accordance with section 66-5 of the CATSI Act.

Resolution 3 — Amendment to Rule Book: Family Group Representation Limit

3.1. The Rule Book of GAC be amended to provide that, in respect of each language group, no more than two (2) members from the same family group shall hold a directorship position representing that language group at any one time; and

3.2. For the purposes of this resolution, "family group" means a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other traditional or customary relationship recognised by the relevant language group; and

3.3. GAC submit the required amendment to ORIC for registration in accordance with section 66-5 of the CATSI Act.

Resolution 4 — Removal of All Current Directors

4.1. Pursuant to the CATSI Act and the GAC Rule Book, all current directors of GAC be removed from office with immediate effect upon the passing of this resolution; and

4.2. The removal of directors under this resolution does not affect the validity of any acts carried out by the directors prior to the passing of this resolution; and

4.3. If this resolution is carried, the positions of all directors shall be deemed vacant and the Corporation shall proceed immediately to Resolution 5 to fill those vacancies.

Note: This resolution requires a special majority as prescribed by the GAC Rule Book and the CATSI Act.

Resolution 5 — Immediate Reappointment of Directors (conditional on Resolution 4 being carried)

Note: This resolution shall only be put to a vote if Resolution 4 is carried.

5.1. Immediately following the passing of Resolution 4, members present proceed to vote for the appointment of directors to fill all nine (9) vacancies created by that resolution; and

5.2. Director appointments be made in strict accordance with the amendments to the Rule Book set out in Resolutions 2 and 3, such that:

(a) Three (3) directors be appointed for the Banjima language group, elected by members of that language group;

(b) Three (3) directors be appointed for the Yinhawangka language group, elected by members of that language group; and

(c) Three (3) directors be appointed for the Nyiyiparli language group, elected by members of that language group.

5.3. The family group limit under Resolution 3 apply to all appointments, such that no more than two (2) directors from the same family group may be appointed within any single language group; and

5.4. Any director appointed under this resolution shall hold office from the time of their appointment and shall be subject to all provisions of the GAC Rule Book and the CATSI Act.

Gumala Members only can sign this petition