Warrnambool’s Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative has been left without a leadership team after the three executive members resigned. It’s understood that chief executive officer Ashley Couzens, finance executive member Tafadzwa Chitava and primary health care executive member Julieanne Crow, along with Mr Couzens’ personal assistant, have quit after an almost clean sweep of board position’s at the co-op’s annual general meeting last Friday. The new board has outlined a vision for a restructure, going back to a chief executive officer working with the board to oversee the $14 million budget. Last Friday’s well attended and fiery AGM led to the resignations of the executive team. Mr Chitava confirmed he had resigned to seek other opportunities. “It’s an opportunity to try something different,” he said. “It’s a really good organisation. There’s nothing going on there.” Attempts have also been made to contact Mr Couzens and Ms Crow. The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation has also been contacted for comment.
