Interim Parnngurr CEO says residents need to make the decision themselves if they would like to see the removal of the CEO

Community members including Murphy Robinson who have been living in the Parrngurr community all of their lives say they would like the Parnngurr CEO Ian Underwood to resign. Mr Robinson said he has seen changes since the CEO took up the position in 2018. “Families have been split… We want to go back to being one".

Martu woman Emily Jadai-Bumba comes from Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community, a remote community outside of Broome. She went to Parnngurr to support her old man and two uncles, some of whom are frail and sick, and was asked by Ian Underwood to become acting CEO while he took his eight-week break.

Ms Jadai is holding the fort until Mr Underwood returns, and hopes that the community members and directors can give her support until that time.

“I don’t have any experience, the only reason I came is to look after my old man and my two uncles as well…. It is very rough situation because when he (Ian Underwood) asked me, they (the community) were really upset because he never had a meeting before he left regarding my position to work here, that’s why people were getting confused”.

Ms Jadai-Bumba said she is trying her best in the new role. “I’m not here to work for myself or for Ian. I am just working for the community”.

The Interim CEO said she does not want to get into the politics of the community and has limited access to information about what has been happening in the community under Mr Underwood.

Regarding whether or not Mr Underwood resigns as Parnngurr CeO, Ms Jadai-Bumba says it is not up to her to hold an opinion or speak for the community, but people in Parnngurr need to make the decision themselves if they would like to see the removal of the CEO.

“People from this community in Parrngurr need to raise their voice”.

Ms Jadai-Bumba has been told that Mr Underwood will be returning in 3 weeks.

In the meantime, Ms Jadai-Bumba is doing her best and she understands Mr Underwood would eventually like to see a community member rise up and take on the responsibilities of running the community in the future.

Life-long Parnngurr resident Murphy Williams would like to see an investigation done into Pangurr Aboriginal Community Source: Supplied