Prosecution outcome: Mr Wayne Fernando (previously of Ellimatta Housing Aboriginal Corporation)

On 14 October 2025, Mr Wayne Fernando, was convicted in the Coonamble Local Court, NSW for knowingly lodging a false or misleading report to ORIC. The offences were committed while Mr Fernando was a director of Ellimatta Housing Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 469).

Mr Fernando was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order, and automatically disqualified from being an officer of a corporation. Mr Fernando cannot be a director or manager of a corporation for 5 years.

This matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) following a referral from ORIC.

It was alleged that between 2012 and 2021 Mr Fernando falsely declared in general reports that the corporation had no income or assets – despite being actively involved in buying, selling, and leasing multiple properties, and making financial transactions through the corporation’s bank accounts.  

Background

Directors of corporations must ensure that corporation documents and information lodged with the Registrar is true and accurate.

Ellimatta Housing Aboriginal Corporation, formerly known as Castlereagh Housing Aboriginal Corporation, was first registered in 1986.  

Mr Fernando was appointed as a director in 2009.