Our Scheme

Objectives

The name of the Association is the Aherrenge Association Incorporated. The objectives of the Association are as follows:-

• To obtain land as a permanent home for members of the Association and their children.

• To develop the resources available in the area in order to provide employment.

• To educate the members children fully in Aboriginal tribal law and preserve the traditional way of life, as well as providing an education in European customs so that the members and their children can appreciate and understand Europeans and their ways.

• To do all that is necessary to obtain housing and other facilities for the members of the Association.

Powers

The Aherrenge Association has the power to do all things necessary in order to carry out the objectives of the Association.

Membership

Membership of the Aherrenge Association is open to any Aboriginal persons residing at Amaroo Station. Other people of Aboriginal descent may become members of the Association with the approval of the committee. Membership incurs a fee which is fixed at a General Meeting.

Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of the Aherrenge Association is held in November each year in the Amaroo Station area. At least 2 weeks notice of an Annual General Meeting being held is given to each member.

Committee meetings are held at least once a month, but can be as often as the committee considers necessary.

A Special General Meeting may be called at the discretion of the President or on receipt, by him or his deputy, of a petition signed by or on behalf of at least ten full members of the Association.

Administration

At the Aherrenge Association's Annual General Meeting, a Council is elected, comprising 6 members from the Ampilatwatja Community, 1 member from the Atnwengerrp Community and 1 member from the Irrultja Community.

Additionally there is automatically a position for up to 3 Traditional Elders of Ampilatwatja, 1 Traditional Elder from Atnwengerrp and 1 Traditional Elder from Irrultja.

The Council has a total of 13 members, including a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Public Officer.

The position of any Council member, who is absent without leave for three consecutive meetings, automatically becomes vacant. Tendering an apology before a meeting is sufficient.

The Council has the power to co-opt further members and temporarily fill vacancies.

The Council is responsible to the Association and presents an Annual Report including an audited yearly financial statement.

The Council is empowered to employ, on behalf of the Association, on a full or part-time basis, any person, company or organisation for the purpose of carrying out its objectives. This person, company or organisation is entirely subject to the control of the Council. They have no power to attend or speak at any meeting of the Association unless by leave of the Chairman.

The Council is responsible for making all members of the Association aware of the activities and plans of the Association and to advise the members, as clearly as possible, of their rights and obligations. It must be remembered, that for most members of the Association, English is their second language and the conduct of the Association is foreign to them. Special care is therefore taken, particularly in the conduct of meetings, by translating into the language of the people and ensuring that everyone is aware of their rights and duties.

The Council may invite people with special interest, experience or expertise to attend meetings or participate in the activities of the Association. These people however, do not have the right to vote.

Minutes

The Secretary of the Council ensures that Minute Books are kept for the purpose of recording the names of members of the Association, the names of Council Members and others present at meetings and all resolutions, motions, and matters discussed at either Council or general meetings.

Elections

Elections are held according to the customs of the people.

Quorum

A quorum at a General Meeting and a Council Meeting is 7 members.

Rights of Members

Members aged 16 years and over are eligible to speak, to move/second a motion and to vote at General Meetings. Only those members over 18 years of age are permitted to hold office.

At any Council Meeting, the Chairman is eligible to cast one vote only. In the event of there being an equality of votes for and against on any particular motion, the Chairman has the casting vote.

Finance

All monies received are deposited in the Association's bank accounts. Cheques are signed by two groups of people, with one signature from each group. One group consists of the Council Clerk and the Accountant. The other group consists of Aboriginal members of the Aherrenge Association.

The Aherrenge Association employs a qualified Chartered Accountant to keep the books of the Association. All books are subject to a yearly audit.

Amendment to the Constitution

The Constitution may be amended or varied by a resolution carried by at least two thirds of a General Meeting. 21 days notice of any such proposed change must be given to all members prior to the General Meeting.

Disputes

Any dispute as to the eligibility of people to be members or to vote, is determined by a vote of the members at a General Meeting. Any person whose right to membership is in dispute is not entitled to vote on a resolution concerning such a dispute.

Common Seal

The Aherrenge Association has a Common Seal kept in the custody of the Secretary. The Common Seal is not used on any document unless authorised by the Council or members in a General Meeting. When the Common Seal is placed on any document, three Council members must sign the document also.