The chief executive officer of one of seven organisations covered by Australia's largest Native Title settlement has departed barely a month after members expressed governance concerns at its recent annual general meeting.

In a private message to senior BAC people seen by the National Indigenous Times, Mat Wilson confirmed his three-year tenure as Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation's CEO had ended.

"Unfortunately, my term has run its course and I'm no longer with Ballardong anymore in a physical sense, but my heart remains," Mr Wilson wrote.

"Thank you for your time and support for the last three years, it has been a great journey... stay safe and have a great 2026."

BAC's annual general meeting in November was the first chance members had to relay their disappointment with the organisation's performance.

It followed the announcement of an ongoing federal governance review of the rule books of seven Aboriginal corporations covered by Australia's largest Native Title settlement, which includes Ballardong.

National Indigenous Times has been told Mr Wilson's departure was instigated by the BAC board, however the outgoing CEO said his time was up.

"I was on a three-year contract and my term is up," Mr Wilson told National Indigenous Times.

"It's as simple as that, nothing more.

"I wish the next person the best of luck, as I have been subject to an extraordinary amount of lateral violence and false information by a select group of people, who have no interest in the success of Ballardong."

Indigenous corporate watchdog Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) met with the chairs and directors of the seven organisations who in 2021 negotiated the historic $1.3 billion Noongar Settlement with the Western Australian government.

ORIC said the review was in relation to alleged potential non-compliance of their rule books with the Commonwealth's CATSI Act 2006, which regulates registration and governance of First Nations corporations, ensuring they are owned and controlled by Indigenous people.

Representatives of Aboriginal corporations related to the Noongar Settlement - Ballardong, Gnaala Karla Booja, Karri Karrak, Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar, Whadjuk and Yued and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council - all attended the meeting in November.

ORIC wrote to the the seven organisations in October over concerns about non-compliant rule books in relation to the Noongar Settlement.

Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2021 following partial distributions of the $1.3b settlement.

Mr Wilson has been its only serving CEO in that time, with the corporation's leadership facing pressure last year from members over its governance.

Two outgoing Ballardong directors were immediately re-elected in October following their two-year terms expiring, despite ORIC earlier denying the corporation's request to extend the maximum two-year term for its directors, as outlined in the BAC rule book.

Members also questioned BAC's electoral processes and raised concerns the corporation had lost touch with its cultural roots.

Some senior Ballardong people — such as Mr Kickett and his 81-year-old mother — were removed from BAC's membership roll, allegedly without proper authority.

"We were promised an organisation that reflects our values, our laws, our ways," Mr Kickett said.

Mr Kickett, who served on BAC's Cultural Awareness Committee, requested National Indigenous Times did not publish his first name.

BAC's responsibilities under the South West Native Title Settlement are extensive.

Through its role in the Noongar Boodja Trust framework, it is tasked with supporting long-term social, cultural, and economic development for Ballardong people, including protecting sacred sites, supporting cultural education, and ensuring land use reflects Traditional law and custom.

Ballardong is one of six Noongar language groups recognised under Australia's most comprehensive Native Title agreement, with BAC — as designated representative body for its people — expected to manage regional responsibilities under the Settlement, including cultural heritage, economic development, and land-based initiatives, through the Noongar Boodja Trust.

Ballardong knowledge systems and community priorities should guide how BAC's significant assets and opportunities are managed.

Mr Kickett's views were similar to those other members and former directors, who asked to not be named, shared with National Indigenous Times.

"This is not just about policy; it's about identity, about who gets to speak for Country," said another Elder, backing calls for the current board to be dismissed at the AGM.

Mr Kickett stressed the governance issues "isn't about personalities".

"It's about restoring cultural governance so the Ballardong community, and our future generations, can thrive under our own law and our own leadership," he said.

While the reasons for Mr Wilson's exit remain unclear, there has been no reference to his departure on the BAC website.

National Indigenous Times understands from a source close to the organisation that BAC chairperson Tracey DeGrussa has also stepped down from her position.

Note: This report as originally published was amended after further correspondence between National Indigenous Times and ORIC in which the regulator responded directly to claims made by some members regarding the rulebook compliance meetings.