[1] When the Aboriginal Arts Board of the Australia Council (AAB) was created, it had similar aims as the foundation, leading to some duplication of work.
Although a committee was elected for 1983/84, and an office was established at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (AIAS) run by part-time volunteers, the foundation ceased operations after the last issue of Identity was published in mid-1982.
A large part of the committee's work comprised obtaining grants for the foundation in order to produce its publications, Identity and Aboriginal and Islander Forum.
[1] Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) was inaugural president, with Doug Nicholls and Don Brady (1927–1984[2]) as vice-presidents, Charles Perkins taking the role of secretary and Gordon Briscoe treasurer.
Other members of this committee were George Abdullah, John Moriarty, Bob Randall, Ken Hampton (1935–1987[3]), and Harry Jakamarra Nelson (c. 1946–2021[4][5]).
[1] Its content encompassed topics "from robust debate about political issues to community profiles featuring local football teams".
[1] The last issue included the transcript of an address given by Charlie Perkins, then chair of the Aboriginal Development Commission, to the Uniting Church Synod, entitled "The 1988 Bi-centennial: No cause for celebration".