I have just applied for membership, when will I know if it is approved?

Membership applications need to be approved at the monthly Governing Committee Meetings. Depending on when you submit your application and when the next meeting will be, it could take up to 6 weeks before you are formally notified. You will receive a letter within 10 days of the Committee’s decision. 

To apply for benefits through Health and Wellbeing you need to be registered as a Gumala Traditional Owner before 31 December, 2008. GAC will receive Health and Wellbeing  applications for 2 weeks into 2009 to give latecomers an opportunity to apply for these benefits.

I belong to one of the three language groups, doesn’t that make me a Member of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation?

Not necessarily.  If you are over the age of 18 and you have direct links through a family member you can apply for Membership as a Registered Gumala Traditional Owner. Sometimes people think that because their Mother is a member or their Uncle is a member that they are automatically a member too. This is not the case. You must apply to be a member. Call GAC and ask for a Membership Application Form to be sent out to you. This will be put before the Governing Committee.

Is it too late to claim Health and Well Being funds for 2008?

Health and Wellbeing concludes on 31 December, 2008.
You will need to register as Gumala Traditional Owners before this date. GAC will receive applications for 2 weeks into 2009 to give latecomers an opportunity to apply for benefits through the Health and Wellbeing program.

What is available from the Member Services Unit?

The Member Services Unit at Gumala was established in May this year as a service to support our Gumala Traditional Owners and to assist in coping with the growing demand for our ever increasing number of programs available to our Members.

This is just a brief list of what Gumala can offer its Registered Members-
• Health and Wellbeing Benefit
• Pensioner Health & Wellbeing
• Dental Program
• Ancillary Health Program (Optometry, Physio etc)
• Funeral Program
• Critically Ill Patient Support
• Computer Support
• Education Support and Gumala Scholarship Programs
• Gumala Home Loan Scheme
• Sport and Recreation Program

To receive any of these benefits it is important that the right application forms are completed and the information needed to support your application is received at the time of your application.