Latest news with #SWAMS
ABC News
29-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Police called as South West Aboriginal Medical Service members attempt to oust board
Members of one of southern Western Australia's leading Aboriginal health organisations have marched on its headquarters demanding the dissolution of its board. Police were called to the headquarters of the South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS), 168 kilometres south of Perth in Bunbury, on Wednesday last week after members staged a protest. About two dozen SWAMS members, including one recently ousted director, were blocked from entering its offices. The group instead held an unofficial meeting in the lobby, where they voted to dissolve the board and appoint elder delegate David Williams as an interim director. Mr Williams, who sits on the board of the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation and drove from Katanning for the meeting, said it was disrespectful that the members were not allowed inside. "Some of the elders are over 80 years of age," he said. "They've fought a long time for the improvement of our people and services, and you haven't even got the respect to allow them to go in, sit down and voice their opinions. It took police about an hour to disband the group due to confusion over who was or was not officially employed there and permitted on the premises. No charges were laid. SWAMS's leadership has been in turmoil this year. The ABC has been unable to confirm how many directors officially remain on the board. Just three names remain listed on the SWAMS website — chairperson Phillip Ugle, Ernie Hill, and Janine Williams — down from six as recently as May. Chief executive Lesley Nelson, who had led the service since 2015, was also stood down earlier this year. SWAMS member and nurse Donna Turvey said the circumstances of her departure remained unclear. The ABC has contacted Ms Nelson for comment. Ms Turvey claimed there was internal friction between the SWAMS board and executive team, with the constitutional legitimacy of some board members questioned. Fellow SWAMS member Lynette Narkle said there was general confusion around what had happened with Ms Nelson and some of the deposed directors. "We're concerned about the lack of transparency," she said. The ABC has repeatedly approached SWAMS for comment on this matter. Ms Turvey said many SWAMS members had lost faith in the current board. She said the current leadership was jeopardising SWAMS's services and a long-fought-for health hub supported by $36.6 million of combined state and federal funding. "It's our elders who are going to suffer, it's our young people who are going to suffer, our mental health patients," she said. "We are requesting a spilling of the board today before there is any more damage to this company." Ms Turvey said the removal of several directors was supported by at least 60 members, which she said was above the 5 per cent required to call a general meeting on the issue. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Commission issued a compliance notice to SWAMS in March, alleging it had breached conditions of its registration with the scheme. The notice said the corporation had failed to commence a mid-term audit within 18 months of becoming registered. In a statement posted to SWAMS's Facebook page, chair Phillip Ugle acknowledged concerns around the charity's governance but said they were unfounded. "The SWAMS board wishes to reassure our members, clients, and community that we have acted in accordance with all legislative, governance, and constitutional requirements, and have continued to seek independent legal advice throughout this process," he said. Mr Ugle said SWAMS would continue to operate as normal, and services had not been impacted. The service has since posted, informing the community that all SWAMS NAIDOC events have been postponed. A state government spokesperson said it had no powers to intervene due to SWAMS being constituted federally under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The Federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said it was aware of the current governance issues at SWAMS. "Matters relating to the composition and conduct of an incorporated organisation's board are primarily the responsibility of its members and the relevant regulatory authority — in this case, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission," a spokesperson said. "The department actively monitors issues as needed to ensure that funded services are delivered in line with the obligations of their grant agreements. Where those obligations are not met, the department may consider taking action."
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Reconciliation Week: Significant strides made in the South West but ‘long way to go' still
A Noongar woman with more than 25 years experience in the First Nations health sector says there's still 'a long way to go' in the South West on the path towards reconciliation, despite significant improvements over the years. Auntie Elsie Penny, OAM, has worked at the South West Aboriginal Medical Service since 1997, and is the cultural practice lead at Kwaba Bidi. In 2021, Ms Penny was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her commitment to Indigenous health. Despite the strides made in recent years, this Reconciliation Week Ms Penny said there was more to be done. 'We are getting there, we've still got a long way to go,' she said. 'On a personal level, having worked in Aboriginal health for over 30 years in Bunbury, I can see there's been some good achievements. 'The opening of the South West Aboriginal Medical Service and other Aboriginal-controlled organisations which are doing their part towards reconciliation and closing the gap by delivering services that are important for our people and making a difference.' Ms Penny said there were more Indigenous Australians working at SWAMS than ever before, making up roughly 50 per cent of their staff. However, she said there was ultimately a 'funding issue' for Aboriginal health services not receiving equivalent levels of support as mainstream providers. She also said connections with hospitals should be strengthened to ensure clients 'aren't falling through the cracks', while also improving youth mental health services and early intervention and healing programs. National Reconciliation Week — from May 27 to June 3 — is an important time for Australians to learn about First Nations' history, culture and achievements,' Ms Penny said. 'It's about acknowledging the past and walking together in the future,' she said. The theme of this year's event is Bridging Now to Next. 'It's a call to all Australians to reflect, listen and act, so that we can build a future based on respect, truth telling and genuine connection between First Nations and non-Indigenous people,' Ms Penny said. '(It's about) recognising the truths of our past and being honest about where we are now, and committing to where we want to be as a nation.' Earlier in the week, the State Government announced survivors of the Stolen Generations in WA would be compensated through a redress scheme which offered payments of up to $85,000 each. Ms Penny said it was 'something', but would never make up for 'the hurt and loss' endured by affected families which 'can never be undone'. 'It'll never make up for all the loss they've had — the families, the kinship connections, their culture, their country. They can never, ever go back to that.' The City of Bunbury announced on Tuesday the annual Bunbury Walk for Reconciliation had been postponed until October or November due to poor weather forecasts.
