{"id":"nsw:act-1931-cwa","name":"Country Women’s Association of New South Wales Incorporation Act 1931","slug":"country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"cwa of 1931","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":111761,"registerId":"nsw-act-1931-cwa-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act may be cited as the [Country Women’s Association of New South Wales Incorporation Act 1931](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1931-cwa).","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"To be a body corporate","content":"#### 2 To be a body corporate\n\n2 To be a body corporate\n\n> The members of the Country Women’s Association of New South Wales whose names are recorded in a register of members of the said association which said record is for the purpose of identification signed by the President of the said association and all other persons whose names shall be added to the record in the said register prior to the coming into force of this Act shall be a body corporate by the name of the Country Women’s Association of New South Wales, and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall and may enter into contracts, sue and be sued, prosecute and defend, and take all other proceedings in all courts civil and criminal within the said State, and any summons, writ, statement of claim, notice, or other proceedings which it may be necessary to serve upon the said corporation may be served upon any member of the executive committee of the said corporation. The register signed by the said President shall be conclusive evidence of the list of members of the said corporation at a particular time.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Objects","content":"#### 3 Objects\n\n3 Objects\n\n> The objects of the said corporation shall be as follows:\n> \n> > (a) those recited in the preamble of this Act,\n> \n> > (b) such further or other objects as may be contained in the constitution and rules of the association for the time being.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing rules to apply","content":"#### 4 Existing rules to apply\n\n4 Existing rules to apply\n\n> The present rules of the said association shall until new rules have been made under the provisions hereinafter mentioned be deemed to be and shall be the rules of the said corporation, save and except in so far as they are or may be inconsistent or incompatible with or repugnant to any of the provisions of this Act or any of the laws now or hereafter to be in force in the said State.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to purchase etc","content":"#### 5 Power to purchase etc\n\n5 Power to purchase etc\n\n> The said corporation shall have power to purchase, acquire, and hold lands and other property, real and personal, and any estate or interest therein, and also to sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise dispose of the said lands and other property, real and personal, or any interest therein, and all lands, tenements, hereditaments, and other property, real and personal, now belonging to the said association under the said constitution and rules or vested in trustees for the said association or any committee thereof or for the general purposes of the said association shall on the passing of this Act be vested in and become the property of the said corporation, subject to any trusts, special or otherwise, and to all charges and claims and demands in anywise affecting the same.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Management of general business etc","content":"#### 6 Management of general business etc\n\n6 Management of general business etc\n\n> The general business of the corporation shall, subject to the rules for the time being of the said corporation, be under the immediate management and superintendence of an executive committee (consisting of at least twenty-one members of the said corporation), one of whom shall be called the president of the said corporation, and the executive committee for the time being of the said corporation shall have the custody of the common seal of the corporation, and the form thereof with power to break, alter, and change the same from time to time, and all other matters relating thereto which shall from time to time be determined by the said executive committee, and the members of such executive committee or such three or more of them as the rules for the time being of the said corporation shall direct shall have power to use such common seal for the affairs of the said corporation, and to affix the same to any deed or document and under such seal either by letter of attorney or otherwise to authorise any person or persons to execute without such seal deeds and contracts, and to do all such other things as may be required to be done on behalf of the said corporation in conformity with the provisions of this Act and of the rules for the time being of the said corporation, and it shall not be necessary to use the said seal in respect to any of the ordinary business of the said corporation nor for the appointment of its solicitor or its secretary or other officers.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Executive committee","content":"#### 7 Executive committee\n\n7 Executive committee\n\n> The persons constituting the present executive committee of the said association shall be the executive committee of the said corporation, and the present officers of the said association shall be the officers of the said corporation until they or any of them shall retire or be changed or shall otherwise cease to be members of the executive committee or officers of the said association in pursuance of the rules for the time being of the said corporation.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Members","content":"#### 8 Members\n\n8 Members\n\n> Subject to the rules for the time being in force of the said corporation, the persons constituted members of the said corporation by section two of this Act, together with such other persons as may from time to time be lawfully admitted as members thereof, by the addition of the names in the register of members shall be and constitute the members of the said corporation.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"New rules for future conduct of affairs","content":"#### 9 New rules for future conduct of affairs\n\n9 New rules for future conduct of affairs\n\n> The executive committee for the time being of the said corporation shall within four years after the passing of this Act convene by not less than three weeks’ notice by advertisement in at least three consecutive numbers of two or more of the Sydney daily newspapers, a meeting of such members of the said corporation as are or shall be entitled to vote at any annual general conference as defined from time to time by the rules of the said corporation to be held within five weeks of the date of the said notice, or if no annual general conference is to be held within the said five weeks, then to such members who were entitled to vote at the annual general conference then last past, and shall submit for the approval of such meeting the rules proposed for the future conduct of the affairs of the said corporation and the furtherance of the objects for which the said association was originally formed as hereinbefore mentioned, and in such rules provisions shall be made respecting the following matters, that is to say:\n> \n> > (a) the number, change, retirement, election, and an appointment of members of the executive committee of the said corporation, and of the president, secretary, treasurer, and other officers of the said corporation, and the rights, powers, duties, and obligations of the members of such committee, the secretary, treasurer, and other officers of the said corporation,\n> \n> > (b) the appointment of such other permanent or temporary committee as shall from time to time be required for the futherance of the objects for which the said association was originally formed as hereinbefore mentioned,\n> \n> > (c) the meetings of the members of the said corporation,\n> \n> > (d) the election, admission, retirement, and removal of members of the corporation,\n> \n> > (e) the rights, liabilities, and qualifications of members of the corporation,\n> \n> > (f) the mode of altering or repealing the rules of the said corporation, and of making others, and\n> \n> > (g) the efficient management of the affairs and business of the said corporation generally, and the promotion of the objects for which the said association was formed as hereinbefore mentioned.\n> \n> At such meeting as convened as aforesaid, or at some adjournment thereof, the proposed rules shall be approved of by a majority of the votes of the members qualified as aforesaid of the said corporation present at such meeting and voting according to the provisions of the said present rules, and thereupon within five weeks and after the expiration of two days from the said meeting another meeting shall be convened for the purpose of confirming and finally passing such proposed rules, which shall not be passed except by a majority of votes as aforesaid and upon such proposed rules being so finally passed the same shall be deemed to be and shall be the rules for the time being of the said corporation, save and except in so far as any of them are or shall or may be altered, varied, or repealed in accordance with this Act or are, or shall or may be inconsistent, or incompatible with or repugnant to any of the provisions of this Act.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Alteration or repeal of rules","content":"#### 10 Alteration or repeal of rules\n\n10 Alteration or repeal of rules\n\n> The rules of the said corporation or any of them may from time to time be altered or repealed and new rules may be made in accordance with any provisions in the then existing rules: Provided that any alteration or repeal of any rule and every new rule shall be first approved of by a majority of the votes of such members having the qualifications set forth and provided in the last preceding section present at a meeting of the corporation convened as aforesaid for the purpose, and shall be finally passed by a majority of such votes at another meeting also convened as aforesaid for the purpose.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registration of rules","content":"#### 11 Registration of rules\n\n11 Registration of rules\n\n> > (1) The rules of the corporation recorded in the register under the [Associations Incorporation Act 1984](/view/html/repealed/current/act-1984-143) are, on the repeal of that Act, to continue to be recorded in the Register of Incorporated Associations kept under the [Associations Incorporation Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-007).\n> \n> > (2) After the commencement of the [Associations Incorporation Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-007), any alteration or repeal of a rule, or any new rule, does not take effect until a copy is lodged for recording in the register under that Act.\n> \n> > (3) The officer in charge of the register under that Act may, for that purpose, apply provisions of that Act relating to the lodging of documents by associations.\n> \n> > (4) The provisions of that Act relating to the inspection of the register under that Act apply to the inspection of rules recorded under this section.\n> \n> **s 11:** Am 1966 No 3, sec 2; 2004 No 55, Sch 1.7 \\[1\\]–\\[3\\]. Subst 2009 No 7, Sch 3.3.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Proof of rules and meetings","content":"#### 12 Proof of rules and meetings\n\n12 Proof of rules and meetings\n\n> The production of a written or printed copy of the rules of the said corporation having the common seal of the said corporation affixed thereto shall be sufficient evidence in any court of civil or criminal jurisdiction of such rules and the production of a minute book of the corporation containing a minute of the proceedings of any meetings of the members of the corporation or of any meeting of the executive committee and purporting to be signed by some member of the executive committee therein represented as having presided as chairman at such meeting or having been present thereat, shall be prima facie evidence in any court of civil or criminal jurisdiction that such meeting was held as therein represented, and of the proceedings thereof.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vesting of real and personal property","content":"#### 13 Vesting of real and personal property\n\n13 Vesting of real and personal property\n\n> All property real and personal which may now or hereafter belong to or be vested in any person or persons as a trustee or trustees for any branch or branches of the said association shall, whether such branch actually be then in existence or not, upon the consent of such trustee or trustees or the majority of them and of the said corporation without any further conveyance or transfer become vested in the said corporation:\n> \n> Provided that if in consequence of death, absence from the said State, or other disability, the consent of such trustee or trustees cannot be obtained, it shall be lawful for the president for the time being of the said corporation to consent in place of any such trustee or trustees:\n> \n> Provided nevertheless that in the case of any property real or personal actually used, occupied, or enjoyed by any such branch as aforesaid, having a roll or register of membership, neither such trustee or trustees nor such president as aforesaid shall consent without the direction of the members of such branch first had and obtained in manner hereinafter provided:\n> \n> Provided also that a notice in the Government Gazette, purporting to be signed by the president for the time being of the said corporation, intimating that such trustee or trustees or such president in place of any such trustee or trustees, has or have consented to the property mentioned in such notice becoming vested in the corporation, and that such real or personal property was not actually used, occupied, or enjoyed by any branch or branches at the time when such consent was given, or that such property was actually used, occupied, or enjoyed by any branch or branches, and that in pursuance of a direction or directions duly made by such branch or branches such trustee or trustees, or such president as aforesaid, in her or their place, have consented to its becoming vested in the said corporation, shall be conclusive evidence of the matters alleged in such notice.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Trust property","content":"#### 14 Trust property\n\n14 Trust property\n\n> All property which shall become vested in the corporation under the last preceding section, and which in the Schedule to this Act is designated the said trust property, shall from the date of such vesting cease to be held upon the express trusts to which prior to such date it was subject, and from thenceforth be held, managed, and dealt with upon the trusts and subject to the provisions and conditions set out in the Schedule to this Act, subject nevertheless to all mortgages, liens, and other charges affecting the same immediately prior to the date of such vestings:\n> \n> Provided always that the administration of the affairs of any branch shall not, except as by this Act specially directed, be in any manner affected.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Directions of branch association","content":"#### 15 Directions of branch association\n\n15 Directions of branch association\n\n> > (1) For all the purposes of this Act and anything required to be done thereunder, the total number of persons whose names appear as members in the roll or register of any branch association shall be deemed to be a branch association, and each of such persons shall be deemed to be a member of such branch association, and the direction of any branch association shall be deemed to have been given whenever:\n> > \n> > > (a) a resolution has been passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of such persons being members of such branch association who shall be upwards of the age of eighteen years, and whose names have for at least six months prior to the holding of the meeting convened for the purpose of proposing such resolution appeared as members in the roll or register relating to such branch association and who are personally present and vote in respect of any such resolution at a meeting of which notice specifying the intention to propose such resolution has been duly given, and\n> > \n> > > (b) such resolution has been confirmed by a majority of such persons being members of such branch association whose names have for at least six months prior to the holding of the meeting convened for the purpose of confirming such resolution appeared as members in the roll or register relating to such branch association present, and voting in respect of any such resolution at a meeting of which notice specifying the intention to propose such resolution has been duly given, and held at an interval of not less than fourteen days nor more than five weeks from the date of the meeting at which such resolution was first passed.\n> \n> > (2) At any meeting mentioned in this section, unless a poll is demanded by at least five members who are upwards of the age of eighteen years, a declaration of the chairman that the resolution has been carried shall be deemed conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the same.\n> \n> > (3) Notice of any meeting shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be duly given whenever a notice setting out the object of such meeting and the nature of the proposed resolution, together with the day, hour, and place of the holding thereof, and signed by the president or one of the vice-presidents for the time being of the said branch association, or in case of her or their neglect for seven days or absolute refusal after request in writing made by two of the members of such branch association who would be entitled to vote at any such meeting, or in the case of there being no president or vice-president, signed by the same number of such persons as aforesaid, shall be advertised (one week prior to such meeting) in the case of a branch association in the county of Cumberland once in one Sydney daily newspaper, or in the case of a country branch association outside the county of Cumberland once in a newspaper circulating in the district in which is situated such country branch association and posted on the door of the office of the said branch association or if there shall be no such office then on the door of the building usually used for meetings by such branch association at least one week immediately preceding the day on which such meeting shall be appointed to take place, and the meeting shall be deemed to be duly held whenever such notice is given and meeting held in pursuance of such notice and the conditions next following are observed. Only those persons shall be entitled to vote at any such meeting who are members of the said branch association, and are personally present at such meeting, and are of the age of eighteen years or upwards, and whose names have for a period of six months prior to the holding of the meeting appeared as members in the roll or register relating to such branch association, and such persons shall be entitled each to one vote only, and the chairman of every such meeting as aforesaid shall be the president of the said branch association or, in case of her refusal, absence, or incapacity or there being no president, then a person chosen by the major part of such persons as aforesaid present and entitled to vote at the meeting, and the chairman of such meeting shall not have a deliberative vote, but, in case of an equality of votes on any question, shall have a casting vote.\n> \n> **s 15:** Am 1975 No 12, sec 2.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Power to invest funds","content":"#### 16 Power to invest funds\n\n16 Power to invest funds\n\n> It shall be lawful for the executive committee of the said corporation from time to time to invest any funds of the corporation and any moneys given or bequeathed to or arising from any donation of real or personal property to the corporation at the absolute discretion of such executive committee subject to any provisions or direction in the instrument creating such bequest or donation in any of the securities for the time being authorised by the law of the said State for the investment of trust funds or in the purchase of land of freehold tenure in the said State and from time to time to vary any investment.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Irregularity not to prejudice acts done in certain cases","content":"#### 17 Irregularity not to prejudice acts done in certain cases\n\n17 Irregularity not to prejudice acts done in certain cases\n\n> No irregularity, informality, or illegality in the election or appointment of any member of the governing body of or officer of the said corporation shall be taken or construed to render illegal or invalid any act, deed, matter or thing done or executed or suffered to be done or executed by any member or officer in pursuance of such election or appointment.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sch","sectionType":"schedule","heading":null,"content":"# sch\n\nSchedule","sortOrder":17}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the Act appears to have maintained its original narrow purpose of incorporating the CWA NSW since 1931. The small number of amendments across 90+ years suggests no significant expansion or contraction of scope from its original intent."},"complexity_factors":["The Act is a narrow, single-purpose Private Act applying only to one specific organisation","Incorporation legislation for a single body is structurally straightforward","The document provided contains almost no actual legislative text — primarily website navigation — making full analysis impossible","No complex regulatory regime, penalties, or cross-legislative interactions are apparent","Three version points since 1975 suggest minimal amendment history, indicating stable and simple content"],"plain_english_summary":"The Act is a private law that formally incorporates the Country Women’s Association of New South Wales, giving the CWA NSW legal personality so it can own property, contract, and sue or be sued in its own name. \n\nIt protects individual members from personal liability for the organisation’s obligations and gives third parties a clear legal entity to deal with — effectively the CWA NSW’s legal “birth certificate,” in force since 1931."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1931 Act was a simple incorporation statute designed to give the CWA legal personality and transfer its existing assets. However, the legislation has grown significantly beyond this original purpose through amendments, particularly section 11 (substituted in 2009). The modern provision integrates the CWA into the general Associations Incorporation regulatory framework, requiring registration of rules with the NSW government and compliance with external statutes. This transforms the Act from a standalone incorporation into a hybrid piece that functions as both a special charter for the CWA and a node in the broader associations regulatory network. The original scope was simply 'make the CWA a legal entity'; the current scope includes ongoing regulatory compliance, government oversight of rule changes, and integration with general associations law."},"complexity_factors":["Dense Victorian-era drafting style with lengthy, nested sentences and multiple provisos ('Provided that', 'Provided nevertheless', 'Provided also')","Multiple layers of conditional logic: branch consent requirements, trustee consent alternatives, presidential override powers, and Gazette notice evidentiary rules all interacting in sections 13-15","Schedule contains 8 clauses of detailed trust provisions with specific permitted uses (club houses, hospitals, bush nursing homes, etc.) and complex powers of sale/mortgage/leasing","Specific procedural requirements for member meetings: 3/4 majority thresholds, 14-day to 5-week intervals between meetings, 6-month membership qualification periods, newspaper advertising requirements varying by location (Cumberland vs country)","Cross-references to external legislation (Associations Incorporation Act 1984 and 2009) in section 11, creating interdependence with modern regulatory framework","Evidentiary provisions creating conclusive or prima facie presumptions (sections 2, 12, 13, 15, Schedule clause 7) that interact with general law","19th-century property law terminology ('lands, tenements, hereditaments', 'demise', 'freehold tenure') mixed with 20th and 21st century amendments"],"plain_english_summary":"This 1931 Act gives legal status to the Country Women's Association of New South Wales (CWA), turning it from an informal group into a formal 'body corporate' — essentially a legal entity that can own property, sign contracts, and go to court in its own name.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Creates the legal entity**: The members listed in the association's register become a corporation with 'perpetual succession' (it continues to exist even as individual members come and go) and a 'common seal' (an official stamp for legal documents).\n- **Transfers property**: All land and assets previously held by the association or its trustees automatically transfer to this new legal entity.\n- **Sets up governance**: Establishes an executive committee of at least 21 members to run the organisation, with a president and other officers.\n- **Allows self-governance**: The CWA can make its own rules (constitution) for how it operates, provided these don't conflict with the Act. New rules must be approved by members at properly advertised meetings.\n- **Protects branch associations**: Special provisions ensure local branches keep control over property they actually use — the central body can't sell or alter branch buildings without the branch's direction.\n- **Modernises over time**: Later amendments (particularly in 2009) updated how the CWA registers its rules with the government, linking it to modern associations law.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Members of the Country Women's Association of NSW\n- Local branch associations and their members\n- Trustees holding property for the CWA\n- Anyone dealing with the CWA (buying property from them, lending money to them, etc.)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nBefore this Act, the CWA had no legal standing — it couldn't own land in its own name, sue anyone who wronged it, or be sued itself. This Act gave the organisation the legal tools to build and run country halls, hospitals, nursing homes, and rest houses across rural NSW. It also carefully balanced central control with local autonomy, ensuring branches kept control of their local buildings while the statewide body handled legal and financial matters."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s core purpose—incorporation and transfer of trustee-held branch property—remains, but later amendments updated administrative and procedural scope: section 11 ties rule registration to modern Associations Acts (substitution noted), and section 15 has been amended (1975) to adjust meeting and voting provisions. These changes alter compliance and registration mechanics without altering the Act’s fundamental objects (see s 11 and s 15)."},"complexity_factors":[" bespoke trust regime in the Schedule converting trustee-held branch land to corporate trust property and prescribing detailed permitted uses, repairs, fundraising and disposal mechanisms (Sch, ss 1–8)"," procedural and voting thresholds for branch directions and confirmations (three‑quarters majority, six‑month membership qualification, specific notice periods) that create compliance burdens and litigation risk (s 15)"," vesting of trustee property into the corporation without further conveyance and a Government Gazette notice being conclusive evidence of consent (s 13)"," broad corporate powers to mortgage, sell or lease trust land subject to branch directions but with a corporate power to act to recover liabilities after notice (Sch cl 4 and cl 6) — creates split control and potential collection risk"," interaction with later associations legislation for registration and effectiveness of rule changes, and the requirement to lodge rules before they take effect (s 11) — administrative interlock with statutory registry"," minimum executive committee size and extensive discretions (custody/use of seal, investment powers, delegation) concentrating operational decision-making (ss 6, 16)"," evidentiary and conclusiveness provisions (production of sealed rules as court evidence; certificates of executive committee decisions conclusive; receipts exonerate payers) that reduce ordinary judicial inquiry (ss 12; Sch cl 7–8)"," archaic and prescriptive notice and advertising methods (s 9, s 15) which may be costly or ill-suited to modern practice without amendment"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act mechanically incorporates the Country Women’s Association of New South Wales as a corporation with powers to hold, manage, invest in and dispose of real and personal property and to sue and be sued. It transfers trustee-held branch property into corporate trust ownership under the Act’s Schedule and prescribes governance: an executive committee, rules-making, voting thresholds, notice and registration formalities. Effect: branches control local use of trust land but the corporation can enforce liabilities (including mortgage/sale) and must follow specified notice, voting and registration procedures."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931","history":"/api/acts/country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931/history","analysis":"/api/acts/country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/country-women-s-association-of-new-south-wales-incorporation-act-1931/documents"}}