Shire of Dumbleyung to create independent Dumbleyung Future Fund for continued preservation of Bain Estate

The Shire of Dumbleyung has moved to ensure money bequeathed to the Shire nearly a decade ago can only ever be used locally, even in the event of council amalgamations. Councillors voted at their June meeting to establish the Dumbleyung Future Fund. In his report to councillors, Shire chief executive Gavin Treasure said the management and administration of the Dumbleyung Future Fund would be conducted by the council. “The draft constitution identifies membership of the new entity to be made up of existing Shire councillors,” Mr Treasure said. Once incorporated, the Dumbleyung Future Fund would take the place of the Bain Estate Future Fund. The fund was created when Ian Bain left his entire estate to the Shire in May 2013, with a wish to support emergency service organisations, hospitals services and sporting clubs in the area. Shire president Julie Ramm said the transfer of control of the Bain Estate to the Dumbleyung Future Fund would preserve the money for local use. “If there is a merger or if the Shire is abolished, that money can only legally be spent within our current Shire boundaries,” Ms Ramm said. “The Bain family has gifted the council this money. It was their intention for it to be support local groups, so we are trying to make sure their wishes are followed.” The board members of the new fund would consist of Dumbleyung councillors. If the council is amalgamated or abolished, control of the fund would be held by those who represent and live within the current Shire boundaries. Ms Ramm said there would be no change to the how the estate grants were handled. “The intention of this move is not to change the process, it is to ensure the family’s wishes are followed,” she said. The meetings of the Dumbleyung Future Fund would have to be independent of council meetings. The fund would also have to meet requirements linked to its incorporation, including the holding of an annual general meeting along with at least one other meeting during the year. The new fund is expected to be incorporated as an association once the application to the Commissioner for Consumer Protection has been approved. Since the 2015-16 financial year, the fund has provided more than $930,000 worth of grants to various causes. It is expected to last 30 years.