The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Anthony Beven, has today placed the Merrepen Arts, Culture and Language Aboriginal Corporation under special administration.
The corporation is located in the community of Nauiyu about 240 kilometres south-west of Darwin. It plays a vital role in developing the economic and artistic life of the region, including hosting the annual Merrepen Arts Festival.
The corporation supports local artists who have become well known for their strong, contemporary designs used in etchings, paintings, prints, weaving and their award-winning screen-printed textiles. Works by three local artists are featured at the Darwin International Airport terminal.
The corporation is registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
Following the resignation of the corporation’s chief executive officer earlier this year, all of the directors wrote to the Registrar requesting the appointment of a special administrator.
‘The corporation is a well-known and respected arts centre,’ said Mr Beven. ‘The directors have shown great leadership by reaching out for help to restructure their corporation.’
The Registrar has appointed Rick Callaghan from the Adelaide based firm, Yarran Business Services Pty Ltd as the special administrator of the corporation from 18 September 2017 to 15 January 2018.
Media contact
Lisa Hugg
(02) 6146 4738
ORIC MR1718-05
18 September 2017
