CEO of Bynoe Community Advancement Co-Operative Society still off work amid investigation of Normanton charity

The CEO of a multimillion-dollar FNQ Indigenous charity remains on full pay while being investigated almost a month after being stood down, as concerns have been raised over the choice for her replacement.

An aerial pic of Normanton. Pic Mark Cranitch

The CEO of a multimillion-dollar Far North Queensland Indigenous charity remains stood down on full pay while concerns have been raised over the appointment of the chairman’s brother in her place.

Bynoe Community Advancement Co-Operative Society boss Letitia Rainbow was stood down from her high-paying post at the organisation in the remote Gulf Country township of Normanton just before Christmas.

Her absence has been the talk of the town in the tiny community of 1300 people, but questions have also been asked about the appointment of Owen Richardson as acting interim CEO while an internal investigation into Ms Rainbow is carried out.

Mr Richardson has extensive experience in Bynoe and once served as co-CEO with Ms Rainbow before she took on solitary responsibility for the role in 2023.

However, he is also the brother of Bynoe chairman Wade Richardson and some in the tight-knit community have expressed concern at the optics of the leadership change.

There is no suggestion of any actual wrongdoing on behalf of Mr Richardson.

Contacted on Friday, the interim CEO told The Courier-Mail he was “unable to offer further comment but confirmed that all decisions related to staffing are made in accordance with Bynoe CACS internal governance processes.”

Meanwhile, Ms Rainbow remains stood down on full pay as the Bynoe board carries out an investigation about matters that allegedly occurred during her time as CEO.

In a letter sent to Ms Rainbow by the board, Chairman Wade Richardson writes the investigation would “best be undertaken while you are stood down from your position as CEO”.

“During the period of your stand down the board will investigate these matters and requests your assistance and co-operation in that process,” the letter reads.

“We will of course provide you with details of the issues so that you can respond to them in due course.

“No final decisions have been made about any matters at this stage and the principles of natural justice will be applied.”

Bynoe has been a fixture of the Normanton community since its inception in the 1970s, with a focus on delivering affordable housing and other support initiatives for the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The co-op also runs employment and youth programs as well as a catering service and community centre for Normanton, one of Queensland’s most remote townships which sits almost 700km west of Cairns in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

In 2023, Bynoe generated more than $13 million in revenue, with almost $11m coming from various government grants and programs, for a profit of almost $5m.

The Courier-Mail attempted to contact Ms Rainbow for comment.

Originally published as CEO of Bynoe Community Advancement Co-Operative Society still off work amid investigation of Normanton charity