No-show CEO faces National Trust ‘performance review’
The CEO at the helm during the National Trust SA’s most troubling chapter is yet to appear at a government inquiry.
National Trust SA CEO Nicolette Di Lernia is facing a performance review at the end of this month, according to the National Trust.
In a written response to questions about the CEO’s performance taken on notice during a parliamentary hearing on September 7, the National Trust confirmed Di Lernia’s review is due at the end of September, “when she has completed twelve months with the trust”.
“A twelve-month performance review of a CEO is standard governance practice for any council,” the response said.
“As CEO, Nicolette is demonstrating her deep commitment to protecting South Australia’s heritage places and natural reserves. The Council’s focus is on executing our organisational review and supporting our CEO and team to deliver results.”
Di Lernia is currently on indefinite leave, and InDaily understands that, as of today, there was still no date set for her return.
The trust announced earlier this month that it would undertake an organisational review of branches over the coming months, with scrutiny and potential sell-offs of its asset portfolio of 80 historic sites.
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The line of questioning over the CEO’s performance is part of the ongoing parliamentary inquiry that was sparked after a volunteer rebellion at its Moonta branch and the temporary closure of its local heritage sites.
In a bitter stoush between the branch and the head office, there have been reported threats, a temporary shutdown of the Moonta Mines Museum and sweet shop along with reports of staff “on stress leave”.
Di Lernia has previously told InDaily “it’s really unpleasant” while volunteers have raised their own concerns about their site being “trashed” by a “silly” decision by the trust.
Three public hearings have been held at state parliament since the inquiry started in June this year but Di Lernia has not yet attended.
“At this stage no further public hearings are scheduled for this inquiry,” inquiry chair and Labor MP Jayne Stinson said.
“However an invitation has again been extended to the National Trust SA CEO to give evidence, given that she was previously unable to attend due to illness.
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“This also includes an offer for a ‘right of reply’ if she wishes, which can be provided in writing.
“We are awaiting her response.”
Liberal MLC Nicola Centofanti, who called for the inquiry to be established earlier this year, said “questions about the CEO’s leadership are matters the committee is entitled to examine carefully”.
“I understand the CEO is on leave, and I don’t want to pre-empt the committee’s work or comment on an individual’s employment circumstances,” Centofanti said.
“What is important is that the committee has access to the information it needs to properly understand the trust’s leadership and governance.
“The National Trust has an important responsibility to South Australians, and the community deserves confidence in its leadership.
“I encourage the trust to cooperate fully with the committee and provide the information being sought.”
The parliamentary committee is expected to hand down a report in the coming months.
Past witnesses to present to the committee include the National Trust President, members of the Renmark branch, former History Trust CEO Greg Mackie OAM and Griffith University academics.
According to its terms of reference, the inquiry is looking into the governance and organisational structure of the NTSA, the National Trust of South Australia Act 1955 and the management and preservation of the organisation’s heritage assets.
Di Lernia and the National Trust were contacted for comment.
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