Action on a range of governance issues at the Millicent community radio station 5 THE-FM is still being pursued by an informal group of community members.
Millicent resident Des Noll called a public meeting in Millicent last month for the community to air grievances and almost all of the 70 people present filled in membership application forms to join 5 THE-FM.
Mr Noll is the Wattle Range Mayor but was acting in a private capacity.
With the initial meeting completed, Mr Noll has stepped away from a lead role.
Mr Noll has given his blessing to recently-retired Millicent community identity David Walshaw and other interested persons to follow through on the various issues.
Mr Walshaw has outlined his extensive management credentials and financial acumen in recent media interviews and is disappointed his public offer to assist in the management of 5 THE-FM has yet to draw a response.
He said the 5 THE-FM management needs to urgently act on two matters.
“Firstly, the 70 applications for 5 THE-FM membership need to be processed so they can vote at the annual general meeting which must be held by the end of September,” Mr Walshaw said.
“The application forms were sent by our Mount Gambier lawyer to the Naracoorte legal firm which acts for 5 THE-FM on the day after the public meeting and to date, there has been no action on processing them.
“The Naracoorte legal firm has acknowledged receipt of the membership application forms but no further action has yet been taken by the community radio station.
“The $700 in membership fees are in a trust account.
“Secondly, it is essential that 5 THE-FM appoints a Public Officer as soon as possible and removes the name of the previous incumbent from their website.
“This is a legislated requirement for all incorporated bodies and provides an avenue for the public to contact 5 THE-FM management.
“Current documentation lists a Millicent resident as the 5 THE-FM Public Officer but he has told me that he resigned from the position on February 21 of this year.
“I intend to write to the Compliance and Enforcement Unit of Consumer and Business Services regarding this matter and other governance issues of concern over the next few days.”
Mr Walshaw said such governance matters needed to be resolved quickly as the community radio station was nearing its five-yearly licence renewal application process with the Australian Communication and Broadcasting Authority and further, in his view, was currently in breach of its own constitutional requirements.
“As its name implies, the community radio station is a community asset and as such, it needs to comply with community expectations in regard to volunteer recruitment and engagement, diversity, transparency and good governance,” he said.
“I am not sure we can say we are there yet.
“My offer still stands to support the community radio station in its governance and operational undertakings and I look forward to doing so if requested.”
