In the wake of former CEO Kathryn Yarnold's resignation and departure from the centre in May, Mr Kirkpatrick said the Slim Dusty Foundation Board appointed Louis Calleja from in2u Management and PBS Accountancy Services to provide operational management of the centre.

“This allowed a handover transition phase prior to Kathryn's departure,” he said. 

“As well, Michelle Atkinson has been appointed as centre manager to provide on site, day to day management.

“The centre remains owned and under the control of the Slim Dusty Foundation Board and the Slim Dusty Museum Trust Fund and the not-for-profit status remained unchanged.

“The Slim Dusty Centre Pty Ltd has been formed to provide the managerial role required for a large tourism and events venue such as the centre.”

The directors of the Slim Dusty Cebtre Pty Ltd are Mr Kirkpatrick, his sister Anne Arneman and their mother Joy Kirkpatrick and they “receive no remuneration for their work or time. Any profits generated by the centre remain under the control of the Foundation and Trust Fund,” he said. 

Mr Kirkpatrick said he is confident about the future of the centre. 

“The centre has never stopped trading and remains on track to fulfill the projections of our business plan for our first year of operation,” he said. 

“Our next phase is to plan further new exhibitions and to continue to promote the centre as a prime tourism destination for all Australians.”