Gumala Aboriginal Corporation

25/10/2026

Today is the last day to submit applications for the 25/26 Education program 📚🎓

👉 Applications for the 26/27 Education program will open on the 1st of November.

23/10/2026

2026 AGM: Results and Thankyou

Thank you to the 1,796 members who joined our AGM online on Friday 9 October.

We know logging in, hearing the room and voting was hard for many of you, and we heard loud and clear that you want to meet face to face on Country. GAC will keep pushing for in-person and hybrid meetings.

Congratulations to your newly elected directors:
Banjima – Johnelle Parker and Zoey Lethbridge
Nyiyaparli – Esah Coffin and Tyannah Coffin
Yinhawangka – Pamela Condon, Brandon Cook and Darren Injie

Members also:
✅ Approved the 2025 AGM minutes
✅ Capped the total director remuneration budget (including travel) at $1 million
✅ Supported GAC staying a Foundation Member of the Pilbara Aboriginal Housing Collective

We’re working through the hundreds of questions you sent in and will share answers soon. Please make sure your phone number and email are up to date: [email protected]

19/10/2026

The 25/26 Education program closes this Sunday! 📚🎓

👉 Sunday, 25 October is the last day to submit your 25/26 Education applications.

Applications for the 26/27 Education program will open on Sunday, 1 November.

06/10/2026

📢 Important reminder for GAC members: AGM form deadlines
Our AGM is this Friday, 9 October, and there are two key deadlines coming up:

🗳️ Proxy forms close at 9am Wednesday 7 October.
If you can't vote at the AGM yourself and want someone to vote on your behalf, your proxy form must be received by then. Late proxies can't be accepted.
Proxy forms are submitted here: https://bit.ly/3Vv0xQ2

✍️ Consent to Act forms must be in by 5pm Thursday 8 October.
Forms can be returned by email to [email protected]
Forms can be found here: https://bit.ly/4cUp9rb

Your voice matters. Please don't leave it to the last minute!

01/10/2026

2026 GAC AGM – Logging In

The GAC AGM is on Friday 9 October and is 100% online. Here's what you need to know to get ready.

Logging In
Username: the last 5 digits of your GAC ID (e.g. 1234B)
Password: your year of birth (e.g. 1989)

The same login works for the GAC AGM, GIPL AGM and both consultations.

Keep an eye out for an email from Vero ([email protected]) with your login details, and check your junk folder. If you haven't received it by end of day Friday 2 October, please call or message us.

The portal opens at 8am on the day, so log in early to check everything works.
Step-by-step guides, help session dates and the payment form are all on our website:

The 2026 GAC AGM will be held 100% online on Friday 9 October. Everything you need to take part is below.

22/09/2026

A message from Justin Dhu, Executive Officer Gumala Aboriginal Corporation

On behalf of GAC, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of three respected Elders.
Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to the families, and all who were close to them.
As a mark of respect, the Perth and Tom Price offices and phone lines will be closed today, and will reopen on the 23rd of September.

21/09/2026

The GAC team has been excited to be out and about in our community for the ongoing Consultation Roadshows! 🧡

Being part of these sessions has given our Executive and staff a chance to listen, learn, and provide clarity on some of the matters that matter most to you.

So far, some of the key things we've been hearing from community include:

✅ Strong support for keeping a hybrid AGM: a mix of on-country and online options
✅ Recognition of the economic and financial challenges many of our Members and Beneficiaries are facing right now
✅ Housing as a key priority — access to suitable housing, education around home ownership, and home ownership itself seen as a long-term goal for many
✅ The importance of making sure our member support programs stay current, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with GGF objectives
✅ The importance of maintaining frontline support for Members, so GAC keeps a hands-on approach
✅ A shared desire to see all Gumala Foundation entities working together; collaboratively, transparently, and respectfully - grounded in our values and guided by our Elders' vision

These sessions have also given us a chance to answer questions directly and clear up any misinformation that may be circulating.

GAC recognises that some sessions were attended by very small numbers, fewer than 5 people in some cases, so the feedback shared can't be taken as representative of all Member voices. Even so, it gave us a valuable chance to have a yarn with those who came along.

Thank you to everyone who has come along and shared your voice so far.

18/09/2026

2026 GAC Annual General Meeting & Consultation

This year's AGM will be held online on Friday 9 October 2026, via the Vero platform.

We know many Members value meeting in person and on Country, and this isn't the AGM model GAC would have chosen. This direction was received in June, and GAC continues to work with relevant stakeholders on the planning and delivery of this year's meeting — we'll keep Members updated as things progress.

📄 AGM documents (Notice of Meeting, 2025 Minutes, Personal Information Form, Consent to Act as a Director) are available now on the Gumala website.

💻 A step-by-step guide on how to join online will be emailed and posted here ahead of the meeting.

❓ Questions? Visit https://bit.ly/4cUp9rb for more info.

This year's Annual General Meeting will be held in a fully online format, on Friday 9 October 2026.

10/09/2026

📢 Update: Beneficiary Approval Process
We've had a lot of questions lately about access to program funding — so we want to clear a few things up.

Earlier this year, GAC was directed to stop all joint committees with key Foundation stakeholders, including the committee that used to assess Beneficiary and Member applications together with GAC. This was decided without consultation with GAC and out of our control.

🔑 Membership vs Beneficiary status — what's the difference?
Gumala Membership (GAC) — lets you vote at the AGM and stand for the Board. GAC's Board decides these applications.

Beneficiary status — determines whether you can access Foundation program funding.

Being a GAC Member doesn't automatically mean you have Beneficiary status — they're assessed separately.

GAC still manages Membership applications, as always. But GAC is no longer involved in, or responsible for, Beneficiary approvals.

⚠️ Why this matters for you
No approved Beneficiary status means no access to program funding.
Haven't applied yet? GAC is happy to help you through the application process, but is not responsible for the approval decision.

We've spent the last 8 months working closely with key Foundation stakeholders to make sure this process stays fair, evidence-based, and true to strict eligibility guidelines, with the hope that foundation monies will continue to be distributed only to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.

For more information, visit

GAC has received a number of questions from members regarding access to FY2026/27 program funding.

08/09/2026

A Message to Our Members and Beneficiaries

In light of recent public discussion and ongoing community consultation, we felt it was important to provide an update on the audit processes Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) is currently engaged in.

GAC is currently undergoing two separate audits: an interim audit, which commenced on 12 June 2026, and a forensic audit, which commenced on 15 May 2026 and is being conducted in conjunction with KPMG.

It's worth noting that undertaking two concurrent audits is a significant undertaking for any organisation. Delivering a thorough, transparent, and appropriately resourced response to both processes takes considerable time and care, particularly alongside a recent restructure that has resulted in a reduced staff headcount.

It has been reported that GAC requested two extensions during this process. This is correct, and reflects the genuine operational demands outlined above — not a lack of cooperation.

To date, GAC has provided all requested information, met every request made of us, and engaged with the forensic audit process in an open and transparent manner. This process remains ongoing, and we will continue to respond fully as further information is requested.

GAC remains firmly committed to good governance and sound financial reporting, and to acting in the best interests of our members and beneficiaries. This is reflected in a strong track record of clean audit outcomes over recent years.

To be clear: GAC has met, and continues to meet, all requests made of it throughout this process in a clear, transparent, and open manner.

As Manager, GAC takes this responsibility seriously and remains committed to operating in the best interests of our Members and Beneficiaries, in a manner that is culturally appropriate and accountable.

We thank our Members and Beneficiaries for their continued patience and trust, and will keep you updated as these processes progress.