Chris Foord retired from his position at BEL at the end of May, 2022 after more than 15 years with the organisation. His colleagues at BEL recount his contribution to Bamaga.

Always determined

BEL Board Member Leandra Newman recalls meeting Chris on her first job at just 24 years old, when he was CEO of Bamaga Island Council (BIC). At the time she found the reforms he put in place tough, but over time saw how his determination for improvement changed the organisation for the better.

“Under his leadership we saw new homes being built, a new Council office, bitumen being laid, a new pool and a beautiful community hall constructed. We really appreciated what he did for us,” she says.

The making of Resort Bamaga

Chris’ most memorable project from his BIC days was re-purposing the old hospital to create Bamaga’s first and only resort – ‘Resort Bamaga’ (now Cape York Peninsula Lodge). The opening was a memorable occasion with most of Bamaga’s elderly residents attending and singing traditional songs to accompany Island dancing.

Reg Williams OAM, Chairperson of BIC at the time, recalls Chris making everyone’s job easy.

“He had ideas we had never dreamed of, such as re-purposing the old hospital. Then he turned his ideas into action,” Mr Williams says.

BEL Chairperson, Robert Poipoi, also met Chris at BIC when he was Deputy Chairperson.

“He taught us what good governance is, and we started getting great results on unqualified audits for the first time. We saved up unused CEDP funds and were able to give all employees a Christmas bonus. It was a great help for families at the time,” Mr Poipoi recalls.

Meeting mishaps

Mr Poipoi, now Chairperson of BEL, remembers some funny moments over the years as well, such as attending a meeting in Canberra with Chris, who recommended a certain Indian Restaurant for dinner.

“The food was so hot I could hardly eat it. When we finished, I made him take us to Maccas! Then, in the morning when we went to the meeting, he told me where to park, which was a couple of blocks from the meeting place. As we were walking to the meeting place, I saw empty car park after car park. I could never work out why he always made us park such a long way from the venue!”

Historic moments

Chris’ foresight led him to restore the first house built in Bamaga as a historical place for future generations to appreciate. The building was relocated adjacent to BP Bamaga and became the historical centre. Community members lent personal family photos for display and to preserve the history of the NPA.

Chris was also instrumental in the formation of Bamaga Enterprises Ltd. After being overseas for two years, he returned to Australia and the BEL board promptly asked him to officially become General Manager in September 2007. He was tasked with managing BEL’s precarious financial position at the time.

Mr Poipoi recalls the period being a tough few years, but says Chris wasn’t afraid to make hard financial decisions that made him unpopular, for the benefit of long-term prosperity.

“He got on top of overdue bills and tightened up fiscal policies, putting BEL in a financial position where it was able to donate millions of dollars back to the community,” Mr Poipoi says.

Passionate about BEL’s purpose

Mr Williams, also a former BEL Chairperson, says though Chris had little patience for inefficiency and at times rubbed people the wrong way, he brought BEL “back on track”.

“The model that BEL uses to this day is a good one,” he says.

Mr Williams claims Chris had little patience for inefficiency at times, which caused trouble here and there!

“I told Chris he had to sit next to me some meetings and whenever I elbowed him in the ribs, it was time to shut up!”

But Mr Williams adds, “You hear a lot about self-determination these days – well Chris is the guy that put us on the track to be self-sufficient. The model that BEL uses to this day is a good one.”

Leandra Newman now manages Steel Fitness and is someone who can vouch for the many donations that have been made available to the business over the years.

“Chris and the BEL Board were always supportive of projects that were of benefit to the community, including in the area of health. He appreciates the hard work that others are doing,” Ms Newman says.

Now in his mid 70s, and with plenty of life left in him, Chris plans to live in Thailand, travel extensively and experience new adventures, climb some mountains and enjoy his retirement.

The team at BEL wishes Chris all the very best for the future.