It is my honour to serve the Gumala Family again as Chairperson. We, your board, will continue to work together to consolidate our position as the Manager of the General Gumala Foundation. Furthering initiatives to maximise how we best deliver benefits to the members, with a strong focus on sustainability and equality.

The GAC Board of Directors are committed to working in alignment with the Trustee (GIPL) to achieve shared strategic outcomes and organisational goals, which will mean more efficient and productive use of our resources. We have worked hard to bring our three entities – GAC, GEPL and GIPL – together in a way that will further empower our families.

Fundamentally, GAC’s strategic objectives have not changed over the years. The GAC Board of Directors continue to focus on creating sustainable communities through the areas of:

1. HEALTH
2. HOUSING
3. EDUCATION and
4. LAW & CULTURE

However, what has now changed is the way we will achieve these outcomes. Continuing from previous years, our plans have been reworked so that we continue to build a more strategic approach to regional partnerships and program & service delivery. We need to be smart and implement new ways that will allow us to continue to create sustainable communities by advocating for, and delivering, enduring benefits and effective programs in the most economical way possible to achieve real results for our families.

We know that GAC needs to remain conscious of the changing needs of our families and we will continue to explore how we can do that through open and honest conversations. To be successful in achieving outcomes, we need to listen to our families.

As we all know, the economic environment of the Pilbara and generally across Western Australia, has changed dramatically over the past 24 months and the GAC Board of Directors is committed to working collaboratively with partners who want the same outcomes. We now need to do more for our families, using less of our precious resources, by working with trusted partners and tapping into other funding sources that can assist in the areas of health, housing, education and law & cultural preservation.

In closing, I would like to officially recognise the original signatories of the Yandi Land Use Agreement, and those elders (past and present) who played an integral part in the negotiations. Without their hard work, sacrifice, passion and commitment, GAC would not be the Corporation it is today.

Gloria Smith
Chairperson

GAC Board of Directors (2018 AGM – present)