Albany’s Baldjamaar Foundation closes doors as Federal agency conducts review into operations

Albany Aboriginal youth corporation Baldjamaar Foundation is under Federal review after closing its doors earlier this year. The Federal body responsible for overseeing the implementation of programs and services for Aboriginal people has confirmed it is conducting a review of the Albany not-for-profit. The National Indigenous Australians Agency was established in 2019 by executive order from Australia’s Governor-General to drive Australia’s policy development, program design and implementation of services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It works with State Governments, peak bodies, stakeholders and services to ensure “Indigenous programs and services are delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as intended”, according to the order. An NIAA spokeswoman this week said the agency was “reviewing a number of matters” in relation to Baldjamaar Foundation. “The NIAA takes all allegations of fraud and non-compliance with the terms and conditions of its funding agreements seriously,” the spokeswoman said. “The NIAA is reviewing a number of matters in relation to the Baldjamaar Foundation and while these reviews are under way, it would be inappropriate to comment further. There is a mutual expectation that contractual matters remain confidential. “The NIAA does not provide comment on specific matters or provides updates on reviews.” Baldjamaar Foundation, also known as the Great Southern Indigenous Corporation, was registered 2017, with recent chief executive Damien Yarran listed as a founding director. Its aim was to “support children, youth and families through their journey through education”, according to its website, which along with its Facebook page was taken down in January. Baldjamaar Foundation’s Aberdeen Street office has sat empty for weeks, with a sign on its door dated March 15 from the lessor’s legal representation stating the lease had been terminated “for breaches pursuant to the lease”. In 2019, Baldjamaar Foundation received Federal funding for 18 months through the $54 million Indigenous Advancement Strategy funding initiative to run youth education programs in Katanning, Tambellup, Gnowangerup and Albany schools. The Federal Government’s Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations states that Great Southern Indigenous Corporation or Baldjamaar Foundation was registered on March 23, 2017. The ORIC is an independent statutory office, appointed by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, which supports and regulates the corporations operating under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act of 2006. It aims to support organisations to deliver best practice through support, advice and training. ORIC’s online public register appears to show the Baldjamaar Foundation has not submitted a financial report for 2020-21. According to ORIC, all corporations must lodge reports with the registrar within six months of the end of the corporation’s financial year. Baldjamaar’s 2019-20 report was lodged in October 2020. “ORIC doesn’t comment on whether or not we are investigating a corporation unless it’s in the context of reporting a regulatory outcome,” an ORIC spokeswoman said. The NIAA review comes as Yarran was this week convicted of two charges of indecent assault against an employee of the foundation. Yarran denied the charges, but was found guilty by Magistrate Kevin Tavener at trial and is due to be sentenced on June 8. Outside court, Yarran did not respond to a question about the future of Baldjamaar. The Foundation was contacted for comment.