Inverell Community Support

Merger Process for Community-Centred Organisations in Inverell, New South Wales

Inverell Community Support (ICS) and Inverell Meals on Wheels (IMOW) are both community-centred, not for profit organisations that have served the Inverell District for over 30 and 60 years respectively.

Requirements

In 2024, the two organisations recognised that major aged care reforms were reshaping the landscape and adding regulatory burdens, which were especially challenging for small providers. As larger providers entered the area, competition was also intensifying.
A merger offered potential benefits, such as consolidating resources and strengthening community impact, but it also presented challenges, particularly with integrating two distinct organisations in a small, close-knit community.
In regional areas, community organisations are often seen as part of the community’s fabric, so a merger can feel like a shift in the community’s identity, generating uncertainty and anxiety that can quickly escalate.

Results

With a shared commitment to community-focused services, the organisations connected at the board level and engaged Community Business Australia (CBA) as an external facilitator to explore partnership options.
The facilitated discussions began without a predetermined outcome, emphasising a process-driven approach that allowed both organisations to control each decision along the way, fostering thorough exploration without rushing.

CBA’s guidance was crucial in ensuring stakeholder involvement and a balanced process.

This approach prevented potential pitfalls, such as pushing toward an outcome prematurely and overlooking key stakeholder concerns.

Following CBA’s structured project plan, the organisations moved step-by-step toward a formal merger agreement.

CBA’s support included bringing in experts during due diligence for legal and financial assessments to independently verify the merger’s viability.

As the merger neared completion, CBA also facilitated workforce integration, a communication strategy, and the recruitment of a new manager to support a smooth transition as the current manager retired.

Outcome

CBA’s guidance ensured a robust process that engaged all stakeholders, allowing the two organisations to progress steadily, step by step toward a formal merger agreement.

Throughout CBA emphasised transparent and timely communication which alleviated stakeholder concerns and provided clear insights into the process, fostering trust and buy-in.

In a close-knit community, effective communication amplified positive engagement solidifying the organisation for long-term sustainability.

“Congratulations to you all for your very professional support, it was a pleasure to work with you all.”

Margaret Lenord, Chairperson of Inverell Community Support