Leaders shocked at JNF redundancy
Communal leaders this week told The AJN they were stunned that JNF Victoria executive director Marlo Newton had been made redundant.
COMMUNAL leaders this week told The AJN they were stunned that JNF Victoria executive director Marlo Newton had been made redundant less than two weeks after the entire Victorian board of JNF resigned.
Newton, who was only appointed six months ago, was dismissed by the national body before the new Victorian board was put in place this week.
One communal leader told The AJN they were shocked because “Marlo has been professional throughout this terrible saga”.
Another said they were surprised JNF Australia made the redundancy while no board was in place, while a third questioned how JNF appointed someone six months ago and now considers there is an “overlap” of positions.
Helen Shardey, a former Member for Caulfield and a JNF ambassador since 2014, was involved in the discussion regarding Newton and was appointed as the new JNF Victoria president on Tuesday, the day after Newton’s dismissal.
“State operations include supervising the state office with the senior staff of that office reporting to the state board,” Shardey told The AJN.
“The state board in this role has liaised with the federal board re: the appointment of senior staff.
“The state board has chosen and then recommended individuals for appointment. The two arms of JNF have worked together in this process.”
JNF Australia said in a statement that a review of the organisation in Victoria has led to some restructuring.
“For some period of time the office administration has had a general manager, an executive director and a major fund raiser,” the statement said.
“As the staff of the JNF office have gained experience and performed beyond expectation, it has become apparent that the role of executive director has become redundant, and that the general manager could provide the leadership necessary for the organisation to achieve its targets.”
“To this end Marlo Newton has left the organisation and David Beder, as general manager has been given the task to lead the JNF Victorian office with the support of a very capable team.
“The JNF family thanks Marlo for her dedication and contribution to the success of JNF Victoria during her time with the organisation.”
Newton told The AJN that she didn’t want to speak “at the moment”.
JOSHUA LEVI
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