The Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation has signalled a decisive new chapter in its development, appointing two respected Noongar leaders to its Board and commissioning a forensic audit of its most recent financial year as part of a broader governance and leadership reset.
The changes come under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Leon Ruri, who was appointed in June 2025 and has moved quickly to chart a new direction for the Perth-based Aboriginal corporation following a period of internal instability.
Established in 2021 as part of the South West Native Title Settlement, the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation represents Whadjuk Noongar people, whose traditional lands encompass metropolitan Perth and surrounding areas. The settlement, the largest native title agreement in Australian history, formally recognised the Noongar people as Traditional Owners of the south west of Western Australia and created a network of regional corporations to manage land, heritage and economic responsibilities on behalf of Noongar communities.
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation plays a central role in cultural heritage management, land selection under the Noongar Land Estate, and engagement with government, industry and developers operating across Whadjuk Country. Its responsibilities also extend to community development, economic participation and long-term planning for the benefit of Whadjuk Noongar members.
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation announced in November that it had been appointed to provide the Whadjuk Noongar heritage monitoring service for Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.
In recent months, the organisation has worked to restore confidence following governance challenges under previous leadership. That period culminated in the departure of the former chief executive and the election of a completely new Board at the corporation's most recent annual general meeting.
Since his appointment, Mr Ruri has focused on strengthening governance, restoring trust with members, and reinforcing accountability across the organisation.
"I am completely focused on building a corporation that truly reflects the greatness of the Noongar people," Mr Ruri said. "Transparency, integrity and trust must be the cornerstone of our leadership."
As part of that reset, Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation has today appointed Gordon Cole and late last year appointed Krista Dunstan as Expert Directors to the Board. The appointments bring additional commercial, governance and strategic capability to the organisation and have resulted in Whadjuk becoming the first regional corporation established under the Noongar settlement to have a fully Noongar Board.
"We identified the need to strengthen the Board with people who have strong commercial experience and are also deeply respected within the Noongar community," Mr Ruri said. "Gordon and Krista bring that balance, and their appointments represent an important step forward for the corporation."
Mr Cole is Chair of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is widely regarded as a senior figure in Indigenous business in Western Australia. Ms Dunstan is a Noongar woman with extensive experience in governance, business and community leadership.
"With the appointment of Gordon Cole and Krista Dunstan, Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation now has a full Noongar Board," Mr Ruri said. "This is a proud and historic moment for our people and for the South West Settlement."
Mr Cole said he was honoured to join the Board at a pivotal time for the organisation.
"This role comes at a moment of significant opportunity and responsibility," he said. "Whadjuk is strengthening its governance, its economic participation and its long-term vision for Whadjuk Noongar people."
He said the corporation was well positioned to play a leading role in sustainable economic development across Perth and the wider Whadjuk region.
"With the right structures, capital pathways and capability building in place, there is real potential to drive intergenerational wealth, create meaningful employment, and ensure Whadjuk people are active owners and decision-makers in the growth occurring across our Country," Mr Cole said.
Alongside the Board appointments, Mr Ruri announced that Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation will undertake a full forensic audit of its 2024-25 financial year.
"As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability, the board has directed the corporation to undertake a full forensic audit," he said. "This will allow us to draw a clear line in the sand from previous leadership and demonstrate to our members and stakeholders that we are committed to operating with integrity."
According to the corporation's most recent annual report, Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation recorded total revenue of $1,914,081 during the 2023-24 financial year, with expenses of $1,837,151, resulting in a surplus of $76,930.
Mr Ruri said the audit was not about revisiting the past for its own sake, but about ensuring the organisation could move forward with clarity and confidence.
"I have heard the voices of community and want to tangibly demonstrate that we are listening," he said. "The audit will provide a complete picture of past decisions and help rebuild trust so that Whadjuk can focus fully on the future."
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation's work continues across cultural advice services, land management planning, and the development of future economic and employment initiatives, including ranger programs and land-based enterprises across metropolitan Perth.
For Mr Ruri, the focus is now firmly on translating reform into long-term outcomes.
"We are building a strong foundation for the future of Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation," he said. "Our responsibility is to ensure the organisation is culturally strong, economically capable, and worthy of the trust placed in it by our people."
With new leadership, a strengthened Board and a public commitment to transparency, Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation is seeking to re-establish itself as a stable and credible institution at the centre of Indigenous governance in Perth, and to ensure the benefits of the Noongar settlement are realised for generations to come.
